Top Of The Pops

Buying music is not the same as it used to be. That sense of expectation going into 'The Sound Of Music' to see if The Jam's new single had arrived, or the feeling of disappointment when 'Ciren Sounds' were still waiting for the delivery of Anita Ward's 'Ring My Bell' (I hope that was intended for a present for someone else but I fear it might not have been). Everything seems to be available at the click of a mouse now.
I know the Top 40 is still announced at Sunday teatime, but are the listeners still there like we were, nervously waiting to hear the new number one ( whilst probably naughtily taping the best songs)? And then there was the excitement of knowing the Christmas Number One. This has largely been taken from us by the X Factor influence. TV has sabotaged the whole process, and no longer will we have the opportunity to enjoy previous christmas number one classics such as Bob The Builder, Mr Blobby, Lily The Pink, Ernie(The Fastest Milkman In The West) and Two Little Boys. Ah . . .

Working in a Winter Wonderland

After two weeks of sub-zero temperatures, I finally gave up struggling with frozen stone and ground. And now the site is covered in about 20" of snow with more to come and no sign of warmer weather.
Fortunately I have a second career at times like this - that of the local snowplough driver. Well, the farm has the council plough, and right now the cows need all the help they can get, so no-one is free to drive it. So far it has been local roads in the village only, but last year I was asked to go all the way to Cirencester. On my own.
The reaction generally is welcoming, though there are some not so far away who say I remind them of the picture below. Can't think why.

It's A Bit Parky Out

Winter has arrived early this year. Fortunately The Cotswolds, so far, has not had the heavy snow, and the wall I am working on is long enough that there are sections that aren't frozen solid. OK, I have seven layers of clothing, the kettle won't boil and the local policeman stops by to check my sanity, but at least I have still been able to work.

I was warmed today by the bizarre 999 call reporting a stolen snowman. Perhaps, finally, Aled Jones can move on. The police sent two of their smaller special branch officers, to see if they could get a drift of what had happened. After a light dusting they found no fingerprints. They did apprehend a youth rolling a snowman away just down the road from the victims house, but let him go when his snowman was found to be much larger than the stolen one. They looked for witnesses, but some people sledging nearby turned out to be aussie cricketers. They are now concerned that the stolen article will just melt into the background, but will continue to plough on through the evidence.

So that this type of crime doesn't snowball, the police will try and work with the local community, but are unsure whether to use the carrot or stick approach.

Meanwhile, one snowman says to another - "Can you smell carrot?"

The Mop Fair

The Annual Mop Fair hits Cirencester on the two mondays either side of the 11th October, except for those years, like this year, when Monday is the 11th, there are three. Traditionally a hiring fair, the name Mop comes from the housemaids that were amongst the potential employees, and not from the equipment now used to clear up the likely result of mixing candy floss, hot dogs, spinning rides and generator fumes.
And so on Monday evening, I found myself clamped into one of the 4 seats bolted on to each end of the 50m long spinning arm of the Buzzin ride. I justified my decision by categorizing it as one of those things to be done before you die, hoping that the two events would not be synchronised in any way. As it was, the ride was fast, exhilarating and the only cold feet you should get is if your shoes fall off. Even being stopped right at the top when the other end changed over, wasn't too scary, and gave a panoramic nighttime view across the town. To think that I was doubtful about going on the Big Wheel years ago - the ultimate thrill ride that I remember growing up with. Toffee apple, anyone?

In Memory Of Steve

I attended a funeral last week and I am still smiling about it. An odd reaction, I know, but the ceremony was quite unique and special. It was a Humanist funeral and was a true reflection of Steve's life and character. He lived in his handbuilt barn with no mains electrics or water, and loved the countryside around him. The funeral featured wild flowers, birdsong, a wicker coffin and touching and funny speeches from those who knew him or were with him on his last day. We were able to add our own thoughts, to the sounds of one of Steve's favourite songs. Listen to it from the link top right - you can then, perhaps, understand the smiling.

And then after, Steve was loaded on to the back of his beloved tractor and trailer, and secured by straw bales, driven off through Bourton on the Water, to be laid to rest in his own field, surrounded by the trees and shrubs he had lovingly planted over the years. I shall always remember seeing and hearing the tractor moving away. Thanks, Steve, for your weekly running coaching sessions. We are all better runners because of you.

Where's Waller?

Last summer I casually looked up as a vehicle passed by, and thought 'Isn't that the Google Street View Camera car?' So this picture showing someone casually looking up with an 'Isn't that the Google Street View Camera car' look on his face, is now visible to all - if they can find it - on Google Street View.

At least I wasn't just emerging from the Portaloo. Actually, I rarely used it. Entry was at your own risk from others on the site. A quiet moment was usually interrupted by thrown stones, water down the air vent, a rope tied around it or simply a gentle rocking motion from side to side. It has been known on larger sites for one to end up at the top of a forklift.

View From My Office Window

I am very fortunate that I get to work in some very lovely locations. As you can see above, the current site is no exception. I am also lucky to be able to glimpse a range of wildlife. Apart from a single duck, this particular stretch of stream has until today been very quiet. Though there are crayfish and trout elsewhere along this river, none have ventured close. Maybe my hammer is too noisy.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard some splashing today, and I looked around to see an animal that I understand is starting to move back to the local rivers. As you can see below, I was able to capture the moment on my camera phone. It's not a great picture, but if you look carefully you can just make out the familiar form of a water otter.