Fish Pond (2)

I posted this time last year about a friends Fish pond that I was looking after, while he was away on holiday with his family.

Well he's away again this year, for 2 weeks in France, but this time I'm also in charge of watering the flowers and vegetables, feeding the Hamster called sandy and moving the post from the doormat.

On Thursday morning I had a text from him, asking is the house O.k. To which I replied "House fine, Fish fine, Hammy fine" and also "Guess you've heard about St Felix". Back came "What about St Felix". Uh Oh you haven't I take it.

My friends wife is a teacher at the school in Newmarket, that burned down on Tuesday, and I thought that they would have heard about it from her colleagues, but they hadn't. Had I just ruined their holiday ?

I text them a few more details about what had happened, and a picture of Sandy.

No.5

Bike Thefts

The BFP reported on their website, on 31st July, that 67 Bicycles have been stolen in the past 3 months totaling £12,000 in value, and the mojority of the bikes have not been recovered.

I have been the victim of bike thefts in the past, and I accept I was a bit careless about how the bikes were left.

The first one happened when I was only about 8 years old. I had been given a bright red Raleigh Tomahawk by my parents, for either a birthday or Christmas present. I hadn't had it long and one evening I had left it leaning against the side of our house, in the front garden, and forgotten to put it away in the garage overnight night.
The next morning it was gone, and there was no sign of it around our small village housing estate. My Dad was kind enough to replace my bike but only with an old fashioned one, that had rod brakes, that he had got from Bury market, and had had to put it back together and painted it blue with white mudguards.
The wheel rims were a bit rusty, but it got me back out cycling around with my friends again. At this time some friends were getting racing bikes and Raleigh Grifters, so I did regret losing that Tomahawk, because my blue replacement was just not "cool".

Years later (1999) and I have a mountain bike, which I'd bought about five years previous from Halfords in Bury St.Edmunds, when it used to be where Superdrug is in town now, for £230.
It was about October time and the evenings were dark, and I had left by bike outside the Moreton Hall pub in the afternoon, with a lock just going around the frame and back wheel.
I go to go home just after 6pm, and its gone. I went back in the pub and asked if anyone knew where it was, if it was a prank, but the barmaid told me she'd seen two men putting a bike in the back of their car, as she arrived for her shift at the pub.
She was able to give me a description of the car (not a common one) and the two guys had been wearing jackets with the name of the company they worked for on them.
I reported my loss to the Police (a Policeman came to my house) with all these details, but I thought I would never see the bike again. Anyway I had taken out specific household insurance on the bike, and put in a claim.
About 3 weeks later I get a call from the Police saying that they have recovered the bike, and when I got home with it that night, there is a Cheque from the Insurance company, waiting for me. Dilemma !
I send the Cheque back !

A couple of weeks before Christmas, that same year, I've ridden my bike (that I've just got back) on a Saturday evening down to the Fox in Eastgate Street, when it used to be a proper Pub, to meet a mate.
Now with a new longer thicker lock, I locked the bike to the tressel fence at the back of the pub, that obscures the toilet block, and gone in the pub for a couple of pints.
My mate and I then decided to go on into the town centre, and I left the bike where it was, thinking it was safe enough. We end up going into one of the nightclubs and at 2am I make my way back to the Fox to retrieve my bike, and as you can probably guess, its gone.
There is now a small chunk cut out of the tressel fence where a saw was used to remove the lock from the fence, you can still see it missing today, but its obscured slightly by a honeysuckle plant now.

I had learned my lesson by securing the bike to something, but my bro' winds me up by saying I should have used something better than a Daffodil ! (Ha bloody Ha).
He had borrowed my bike one afternoon, and taken it down Ickworth Park with some other people. They had been doing some jumps and my bro' "got some big air" and came off my bike breaking his collar bone, and spent three months off work.
I'd cycled home from Horringer late one Sunday night on it, from the Six Bells, and I'd gone over the handlebars, outside what is now the Hairdressers in Lawson Place, then the bike went over me. The next day I had a black eye, from where my face hit the ground, luckily it was on the grass !

I reported my loss to the Police again, who don't seem so interested this time, and put in another claim to the Insurance company, glad that I had returned the first cheque I'd received.
The Insurance company had deducted from the value of the bike/claim, what 5 years wear and tear the bike would have received, for the first Claim I made. The second time I claimed they sent the full value (£230).
I'm not sure if they think I'd lost a second, new bike, but my conscience was clear from returning the first Cheque, so I was pleased with the second one, and bought another bike.

No.5

Bury or Bayern

In the past I've visited Munich and been to the Allianz Arena to see Bayern play. This is a picture of the stadium.

Now look at the building going up in the cattle market development. Have Bury Town F.C. secretly been bought by their own Roman Abramovich and building a new stadium for them ?

View from Kings road in Bury St.Edmunds.

No.5

Smeetham Hall - Wedding

Last night I went to the wedding of the couple, who's grooms stag day I went on 3 weeks ago at Newmarket.
A courtesy coach had been laid on to take 30+ of us from the local to, Smeetham Hall barn, for the reception, which departed at 7pm.

Smeetham Hall is just the other side of Sudbury, and in the morning I had driven 3 of the guests, who were there for the whole day, over to it. The wedding was performed in the barn (the white building) followed by the meal and evening reception. The barn had a large Marquee attached to the back of it, and the whole organization was very impressive.

This is the bride and groom having the 1st dance

The other end of the barn, and guests, including mufc fanatic, enjoying the music and the all night free bar. All evening there were also waiters bringing round trays of sandwiches, fish 'n' chips and other nibbles.
The whole thing went really well, the food was excellent, and it was a brilliant evening which included a magician doing card tricks and a characterist (dunno if thats right) drawing the guests (I didn't have one done) and a chocolate fountain.
To me the evening went so quickly, before I was being called to get on the coach back to Bury St.Edmunds, just before midnight.

Skimmer's

I popped down to Sainsbury's this morning to get a newspaper, sandwich, and a marinade for some Chicken I had planned for diner.
Outside the store, on Bedingfield way, was a Police car that had, again, been called to a card skimming device place on one of the cash point machines (aka ATM's).
I hadn't used the machine, although I have in the past, but I do try pulling about any machine I put my card in, before it asks for my PIN.
A member of my family had their card skimmed, at a petrol station in Bury St.Edmunds, and about £1400 was taken from their account in Malaysia. But the bank they were with were superb, and gave them the money back really quickly.

No.5

Want To Test Your Broadband Speed ?

If you do click here to take you to the BBC website that will give you your download speed. I'm getting on a good day between 4-4.5 mbps.

No.5

My Car Failed Its M.O.T. Test

I took my car to A.P.T.E.C in Eastgate street again yesterday, for its annual MoT test. I left it with them and wandered into town to do a couple of other things. Any way the phone didn't ring, so as I wandered back to pick the car up I thought everything must be O.K. ...wrong.

"Mr No.5 its Failed" The pound signs start going through my head, how much is this going to cost ? "We couldn't do it for you now, we don't have the part". I start to read the test report "Near side rear shock absorber has a serious fluid leak".

That would explain the patch of fluid on my driveway roughly where that back wheel stops. "We estimate it will be £116.00". Not as bad as I first feared.
So with the MoT running out this coming Tuesday, the cars going back to the nice people there Monday.

No.5

A Small Cough In Scotland

aka... a wee cough (week off)...its my soh alright. And today (actually it was yesterday now) I decided to make the most of the superb weather and put a pair of shorts on for the first time this summer, exposing my lily white legs. Yes, I've heard it before 1,000,001 times, "you've got a bit of white string hanging from your shorts", but actually for an "athletic" chap I think my legs are my best feature, due to cycling a lot.
So I get to the local at 12:45 ish of a Tuesday, and there isn't a cloud in the sky apart from a aeroplane vapour trail, and I decide to stay put for the afternoon, as I hear the weather is supposed to turn wet, Wednesday/today.
Anyway, for a Tuesday, there was a nice amount of regulars also there, enjoying the sun too, including the Stag from Saturdays day out and his Fiance (who's off to Dublin this weekend on her hen party), and also Jim and his hounds.

Fourteen stone of hounds, between the two of them, seeking some shade.

No.5

Stag Day at Newmarket July Course

Yesterday about 40 of us went to Newmarket on a Stag day for a friend. This was to be in one of the corporate hospitality suits on the other side of the race course to the grand stand.

After a bacon roll and a pint in the local at 10am we set off, on 2 buses at 11am, for the short journey.

Arrival at the Newmarket July racecourse

The view down the race track as we make our way to our hospitality suite. The red and white disc indicates the finish line.

A bite to eat from the buffet.

Drinks on the decking out the front of the suite, and the stag/bride groom is beside the man in the white shirt.

Down at the on course bookmakers, with the main stand behind, some of our group are in front of the bookies looking for the best price for their chosen horse.

I had 2 winners on the day. Bailey's Cacao in the 2nd race, and Maghya in the 6th. I think this is the 3rd race and my money was on the second placed horse, unfortunately to win.

Some of the guys under the trees, in front of the suite, enjoying some liquid refreshment.

Bus journey back, and chance to reflect on a fantastic day out, and a bit of bad drunken singing.

I ended the day £40 down on what I had taken with me. It would have been a bit less if I hadn't bet, on the Tote, on the last race at Windsor and Newcastle, but I'm certain everybody enjoyed themselves.

No.5

Stag Day

Tomorrow, Saturday, I'm going to Newmarket with about 40 other males, on a stag day, which involves one of the marquees with free food and drink all afternoon.
The wife has told me to take my pillow, and sleep somewhere else tomorrow night.
Breakfast is at 10am in the local, coach departs at 11am...bring it on, pillow and all !

No.5

Route to work today.

I didn't have to start work today until 10am, so with the wife back and the camera, I decided to take a few pictures on my way to work.

I swung into the Abbey gardens from the Mustow street entrance, and the groundsmen were busy watering and replacing weak plants.

The Abbey Gate, and overseas tourists were already arriving to look around, hearing their accents.

Angel Hill, and traffic is flowing smoothly.

Norman Tower, with the Cathedral beside it.

Cornhill, town centre, I was in the shade so it doesn't look so bright.

Arc development, and the building goes on and upwards.

No.5

Shell Petrol Deliveries

There was a petrol delivery today, despite industrial action by Shell drivers, but it was in Lego Land.

I went to my parents (Happy Fathers Day, Dad) and my Brother, Sister-in-law and Nephew were also there for lunch. Recently my father had come across our old Lego in a bag up in the loft, complete with instructions, and brought it down for my Nephew.
After lunch my Nephew didn't get a look in, as my Bro',Sister-in-law and I built the Fire station and Petrol station. The picture is our finished models complete with vehicles.

No.5

Gatwick - I nearly didn't make the A14

I left the house at 7am to go to Gatwick airport this morning. I drove the road around the Sugar beet factory, down to the Tesco roundabout, to pick up the A14/A11/M11/M25/M23.
On the dualed carriage way (A143) approaching the Tesco's roundabout I pulled into the right lane to turn right. There was a Jaguar car in the left lane, and nothing was coming round the roundabout, but the elderly Jaguar driver decided to turn right, across my bonnet, and go round the roundabout the wrong way towards the off ramp.
I skidded to a halt, avoided any contact and blared the car horn, and he didn't even flinch. It wasn't until a large van came round the roundabout, did he stop and back up.
Was he listening to his Sat Nav telling him to turn right ? Words fail me.

No.5

BBQ and an Early Night

I have to go to Gatwick Airport in the morning, and this afternoon was a friends BBQ. So I had to bail out early so as to be able to drive in the morning, below the drink/drive limit.
I have had to put £70 of petrol in the car this week. (If your American this is $129.50 @ an exchange rate of $1.85 to £1, to cover approx 500 miles in a 2.2 litre engine car at £1.18/$218.3 a litre of Petrol !).

No.5

I Missed my 1st Birthday

Sunday 8th of June was, my blogs 1st birthday, and I missed it. I had in mind it was sometime this week.
I just want to take the time to thank everyone, around the world, who has visited in this first year, and hope you keep coming back.

No.5

Film Offers Considered for Rail/Road Trip

I left work on Monday at 4pm, so that I could get home and get ready to catch an early evening train into Liverpool street London, and then across to a hotel near Heathrow airport, for a sales conference I had been offered the chance to go on, over Tuesday and Wednesday.

So my father kindly gave me a lift to the station at about 5pm to catch the 5:23pm train from Bury St.Edmunds, to Stowmarket, so I could meet a colleague who was getting on the Norwich to London train at Diss. While I waited for the train, my father walked up to the platform with me, and we walked to the far end of the station, and chatted and I listened to his railway stories and reminisces from his Steam engine era, while we enjoyed the sunshine.

The train arrived on time and got me to Stowmarket, where I had about a 15 minute wait for the London train. My colleague had text me to say that they were in the 3rd carriage from the back, and we met up.

The train pulled into Ipswich station, and as we sat waiting, an announcement came over the tannoy that we may be delayed a few minutes. After about 30 minutes we departed and when we got into Colchester came the news that the train was terminating there and going back to Norwich. Due to power cables down between Chelmesford and Shenfield, on the line, great !

So back we go. And we discuss whether to go back and get my car and drive down, just go home, or try going via Cambridge. Via Cambridge turned out not to be an option due to the time element having to go to via Ely ! So we order a Taxi, from on board the train by phone, to meet us and get my car from home.

After needing to fill up with Petrol, which I did at Sainsbury's , we get onto the A14. At the second Newmarket turn-off there are blue and red flashing lights ahead, fantastic, it now looks like the A14 is shut. A container had come off the back of a Lorry after it had jack-knifing.

Luckily, it was possible to get around the recovery by going onto the slip road (off ramp) and then across the chevrons back onto the carriageway.

We finally make it to the Thistle Hotel at about 11:30pm (no sat nav in this car) and I had a quick pint in the bar, before retiring to my room for a shower and sleep.

Tuesdays conference start time is 11am, and we ( my colleague and I) meet for breakfast at 9:30 and sit and watch the planes taking off, after eating.

Some people, after hearing about our journey, seem a bit nervous around us, and our bad luck. Tuesday goes well and we finish the day at 6pm with a meal available at 7:30 for us all. A chap from another office and I, leg it (about a 7 minute walk) to a pub nearby that I spotted, on the way past, the night before.
Back in time for the meal, and later, the 10 people on "our" table, for the conference and the meal, are the only table that has all its guests still around, while other guests had gone to bed, we had such a laugh !
Wednesday, and its an 8:30am start, and the dreaded roll play, pretending to be staff and customers. Lunch, lectures, writing, presentations and video's and a 4:15pm departure, after worthwhile trip.

No.5

"Who Will You Support ?"

...that's the question being asked by the BBC to get viewers watching the Euro 2008 games, on TV.
As Ipswich don't have any players involved, I had decided, that Turkey would be my Team as I went their last year, and am going again this year, and had a thoroughly nice time.
But then last evening in the local, a sweep stake with a £5 entry was done, and I ended up with Spain. I believe this will pay £50 for the winner and £30 to the losing finalist. So now I have two to follow. (Flippin' English Champagne Charlie's).

I have also staked, at Corals, £2 on an 8 match group stage accumulator, which must be all correct to win, and would pay £723.64

these are

• Czech Rep to beat Switzerland - 07/06-------CORRECT
• Portugal to beat Turkey - 07/06--------------CORRECT
• Croatia to beat Austria - 08/06---------------CORRECT
• Portugal to beat Czech Rep - 11/06-----------CORRECT
• Turkey to beat Switzerland - 11/06-----------CORRECT
• Germany to beat Croatia - 12/06--------------INCORRECT
• Portugal to beat Switzerland - 15/06---------INCORRECT
• Croatia to beat Poland - 16/06----------------CORRECT

Simon's Cat 'Cat Man Do'

My cat tends to bite my ear, without claws.

Friday Off

Yesterday (Friday) I had the day off, another friend had the week off, and the other two in the picture, took the day off, and we went out for a few beers in Bury St.Edmunds town centre starting lunchtime.

We started off in the Regency Hotel, before moving across the road to the Kings Arms, where the picture was taken in the courtyard.

After one in here, we went to the Grapes, and again sat out the back in the courtyard there. After a quick Big Mac at the golden arches, it was the courtyard at the Masons Arms that hosted us next, before moving on to the Queens Head and shooting some pool.
A Taxi back to the local was called for to end an enjoyable day, nice one guys.

No.5

Bank (Blog) Holiday Monday

I haven't been blogging much lately, mainly because I haven't done much outside of the usual 9 to 5 routine.
I have, this weekend, run the wife down to Gatwick airport, and the rain was horrendous. I'm sure if we'd left the house 10 minutes later, the M25 would have been shut off, as a car had aquaplaned into the central reservation barrier, and was facing the wrong way in the fast lane, and we would have been waiting for the vehicle to be recovered. I heard on the way back that the road had just re-opened at the place of the accident.
Today, Bank holiday Monday, was no different to much of my spare time, as in its spent in my local. Apart from a pleasant chat with fellow blogger, GrumpyOldWoman (who doesn't actually look too old, and had been to Turkey, as did I last year, and do again in September, and her legs were browner than in her photograph, she showed me!).
As I sat with the regulars, a member of staff came across and said, a couple at the end of the bar (from America, who read my blog) would like to meet me. So I went over, and they were from Des Moines in Iowa, and had a nice chat with them for 20 minutes, or so.

No.5