Yesterday was a day out with a bit of everything. After hearing that there was new stock at the booksale we frequent in Cambridge, drove there first, although there was nothing for us this time. From there, it was back down the A10, but not home, and onto the A505 towards Stevenage. (C is starting to get a taste for lunch/dinner at Toby!)

From there, stopped at the adjacent Tesco - no C5 (aka 9"x6") envelopes but did find a new kettle that we needed. The other one has a habit of turning itself back on, and it was bought from Woolworths in the last month, so warranty swapping is not going to be an option!), before continuing to a small village called Woolmer Green. It’s just south of Knebworth, and I passed through foe the first tie in ages on the 300/301 service last Monday. However, I spotted a chocolate factory that I’d not seen before. Advanced Googling later showed it was Lessiters, and their factory shop was open all week, including Saturdays. We left after just over £20 of purchases, including a cup of chocolate and hazelnut bits for the forthcoming journey, rest for later.

So, that done, back in the car, and drove to Hatfield, where we took the train (one-day all inclusive super off peak travelcard, with usual 34% railcard and 20-25% extra promotional weekend discount, meant travel from this point to London, plus unlimited in London, just £8.25 each, versus the usual £15 or so!).

We took the train into London, bus to Tottenham Court Road/Centrepoint, before stopping at Morgans (new copyholder for me, less than £4, and slightly better than the Staples ones that seem to break when the curtain blows, plus two new leather iPhone/iPod Touch cases for £2.99 each). From there, Caroline wanted a stop for drinks, and we wanted to touch on the British Museum, although we wouldn’t have time to do the whole day there this time. So, we stopped there for drinks and a quick snack, before leaving to return another time. We then continued down to the Charing Cross Road bookstores (purchased a copy of TubeWhizzard at Foyles), before returning to St Giles High Street for an early dinner at First Out. The building is now the last one in the street, before the vast gap which has been demolished to make way for Crossrail.

Tube back via Holburn to Kings Cross, onto a Peterborough stopping train (faster than those ending at Welywn or Stevenage) back to the car at Hatfield. From there, back to Royston (stopping at another Tesco on the way!) before arriving home. We enjoyed a variety of different things, and you can see all the pictures here.

In addition to the most obvious change of status (last week), it’s clearly not my week this week either.

Monday I felt unwell, run down, tired, but more so than usual. Made plans to go out Tuesday, but hoped I’d not be unwell then too.

Tuesday, day out.
Bought my Explorer ticket off Arriva The Shires 2404 on the 331, although my first journey was on
Richmond’s Solo YJ 05 YMY 23 Royston, Bus Station – Hitchin, St Mary’s Square (driver doesn’t do change!)
Arriva Volvo/Wright 3302 100 Hitchin, Hermitage Road – Stevenage, Lister Hospital
Was going to change at the bus station, but as the next bus was behind..
Arriva Enviro 3557 301 Stevenage, Lister Hospital – Hatfield, Gracemead House
Had planned to get off at Welwyn but stayed on for the next one
Uno Dart 574 624 Hatfield, Gracemead House – Watford, Town Centre
Driver swapped at St Albans, and the outgoing driver was upset about his controller phoning his mobile! The replacement driver was okay, but questioned if I was interested in him, while snapping up the bus at Watford… he didn’t spot the engagement ring then!
Woottens Tiger/East Lancs A12 WTN T2 Watford, Town Centre – Hemel Hempsted, Bus Station
Uno Citaro 303 634 Hemel Hempstead, Bus Station – Hatfield, UH Forum
Next bus arrived 13 minutes late…
Uno Dart 650 641 Hatfield, UH Forum – Hertford, Bus Station
… and arrived into Hertford 17 minutes down, thus meaning I managed to miss the connection for the last bus to Royston….
Arriva Versa 2403 331 Hertford, Bus Station – Buntingford, Baldock Rd opp Greenways
… where C picked me up in the car, saved me walking the 7.5 miles back to Royston! You can see all the pictures here.
They have been condensed even smaller than the last (Ely etc.) lot, so do let me know what you think.

Wednesday/Thursday, and the hard drive on the Mac has failed. The majority (since yesterday morning, when the main hard drive started to go) had already been automatically backed up, although on restart, Entourage downloaded ALL the email (I leave four weeks on the server or so), not just those from the last 24 hours that had been missing.

Yesterday (Thursday 24th) I decided to get out the house, and go for a bash around on an Intalink Explorer.


( Cut for length and pictures )

Found thanks to shullie ...

After the last two days at work, Saturday was always going to be different. Following almost 7,000 pictures on the HP Photosmart E327 digital camera that I bought almost two years ago, it might be time for a new one. After a problem with the card (that required another download to get it to work) a few months ago, as well as a few dents, it’s now time for a new one. So, after some looking around, I now have a Samsung ES15 10.2MP digital camera, plus delivery (BTW, I got the Silver one, not the pink or black ones!) Purchase from eBuyer was just under £70, including free soft case and 2GB card.

So, once everything had been delivered, we said we’d go out. We drove to the market town of Hertford, on Saturday market day. After parking the car, some market shopping, and going for lunch at The Six Templars, we continued to Saks Hair & Beauty around the corner. If you’ve seen my hair recently, it’s been growing now for six years – yes, pre-transition as well! This is the reason why I’d wanted to go today to have it done – well, Saffon Walden branch was full today, and this was next! After two hours of work, the stylist did a wonderful job at not only detangling it (the lump at the back was getting so much bigger!), but I did fancy a completely new look. Now this time, I did not go for a colour, just a cut and restyle, but this was a big enough step for one day! So, here I am, shortly before going back to the car… you can see all the pictures here.

Well, it’s been a fairly busy time of it, and I’ve had to be Mystic Suzy, again. Before I explain what happened on Sunday past, I’d like to bring you up to speed on a couple of other things.

Caroline agreed to purchase a new all-in-one laser printer – essentially similar to the existing Brother HL-2035, but with a scanner, fax and copier too – the MFC-7320. There was nothing strictly wrong with the last one, but it does mean that the inkjet fax (that I bought back in early 2002) is now finally replaced, and the scanner (which can only work with ONE short USB cable, and keeps slipping off the top of the PowerMac) can also be replaced. It also has an automatic document feeder. So, after some experimenting with scan file sizes (it comes with a CD for Windows, and another CD for Mac OS X series), I gave it a 64 page Inventory (as they call a fleet list) from RGRTA (a recent FOIL request!) in four sections, and it can scan one then another and another etc. – as well as scanning direct to PDF. In other words, something that might take me an hour or two, now takes a few minutes. While the majority of the service changes for 2009 have happened, the scanner will no doubt come in useful when it comes to digitising, and making short work of stacks of paper! It can also do dry, plain paper copies, that I can take with me without the ink running when taking it out in the rain! It’s not much more to buy the refilled carts for this one over the other one (and you get cheap drums too) – the price difference actually works as a saving, if you take into account the cost of buying inkjet carts for the old fax. Say nothing of the time I tried to refill one with black ink…!

So, after that at the end of the week, and a quiet day on Saturday, we got ready to travel to central London on Sunday morning. After I ended up withdrawing my application from another voluntary org (after some unfortunate narrow-mindedness) in late February, I was looking around for something else to add to what I’m currently doing. So, in March and April, I started looking around, and submitted an application to the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard in mid-April 2009. Anyway, got called in for an interview (Sunday 6th September, 1415), so we decided that we’d both go to London, and have an afternoon of it.

Usual FCC train into London Kings Cross, Arriva Citaro MA15 on TfL service 73 to the stop before the Angel one-way system, so I can point out to C where I’d be going, then around the corners to have lunch at the nearby Wetherspoons, The Angel. After lunch, I got rather nervous, before walking back to the offices for an interview. It was a set of more-or-less fixed questions, and I must admit, I got very nervous. I don’t know if it was the thoughts of being rejected one more time or not, but something was. Anyway, made my apologies, but the two who were interviewing me were very kind and helpful in that regard. Afterwards, back to C in The Angel, and I thought I had a 50/50 chance.

Caroline finished her drink, and we crossed over for a Metroline TfL 43 bus (in preference to the Northern Line) to London Bridge. Once we figured out the temporary arrangements in regards to resurfacing the pavement and street furniture, two went past, but we did catch one new Enviro400 on this service to London Bridge. We went this way as Caroline wanted to go into Greenwich, and there was no DLR on this day south of Canary Wharf, and no Jubilee Line service at all. So, needless to say, the trains were all going to be busy! We got into London Bridge with a minute to go, so didn’t get that one. By the time we made it to the platform, the next SouthEastern train (10/12 mins later, 4 tph) wasn’t that far off.

We got off in Greenwich, walked up to the one-way system, and onto Greenwich Park. Now, this wasn’t a day for snapping up buses, but I did get rather interested to see this very unusual BMC bus of Travel with Hunny (a recent purchase for their ECC 392, but on the DLR rail replacement) in Greenwich.

Caroline and I then walked around Greenwich Park for a bit, although I was getting a bit tired. We stopped for a bit, before going for a Pizza Express. That seemed to re-energise us, and we went for the Thames Clippers boat service to London Waterloo, via the Thames. I did take a few pics of the pier, the boat, and more, and you can see them all here.

After that, we went via bus 148 to Victoria, quick stop here before returning to Kings Cross on another bendi 73 (albeit with a driver that kept the doors shut on stand, and was rather rude when anyone attempted to get near him!). Anyway, we got to Kings Cross with time to spare for our train back to Royston, tired but happy!

So, Monday was catching up with everything, and Tuesday was out at PFH. A very hot day didn’t help feeling a little tired, but I’ve survived! Today, Wednesday, and I’ve had a phone call from the person who arranged my interview at LLGS. I’m successful… even though I was very nervous, I did get through, and I’m starting training (one of two groups) on Saturday November 7th. Now, that is rather convenient, as the last of the Open University stuff goes in during early October. I’ve got no immediate plans to do another one, instead, hopefully, the training will go well. Of course, the Open Uni is very flexible, meaning I could put it on hold for as long as I liked, before continuing to my next course.

You’re probably wondering… well, the LLGS minimum commitment is two x three-hour shifts a month, which shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s more miles – around 46 miles by bus and train, in contrast with the 19.9 to/from PFH. However, by helpful train stopping patterns (London trains don’t stop at all stations – separate blog post to follow later in the week!), there is not much in it at all. The fast trains are under an hour, and just three stops away by bus, or about a 15 minute walk, would get me to LLGS, based on time from Royston station. When I get the train, and two buses to the PFH, it’s about 70 minutes on a good day. So, there is only a few minutes in it, all going well! It will allow me to build up my knowledge and skills, as well as getting out towards London more often. I intend to do this alongside work for the PFH, and do not intend to stop. As for health, well, it’s a good few weeks between now and starting the training course. This should give me more than enough time to get hold of the doc, and look at adjusting the pills. Now I see what they can do, might be worthwhile adjusting things.

Now, hopefully, it’s all starting to sink into place… but if not, here’s a little about the Switchboard. (Well, I did one for the PFH when I got my acceptance from them, so it’d be rude not to!)



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London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (LLGS) provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual, trans people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.

All volunteers identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, so you know that the person answering the telephone will have an understanding of your situation. Our volunteers won't judge you or tell you what to do; they will though provide suitable support, offer appropriate information, and discuss relevant options.

The helpline operates from 10am to 11pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Our helpline number is 020 7837 7324, the recruitment hotline for volunteers is 020 7837 7606, and our text phone number is 020 7689 8501.
Our information website queery.org.uk provides 24 hour access to our database of information and resources relevant to the LGBT community.
------------------------------------------------------
(Other services provided can be found via this link)
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Needless to say, I’m rather happy!

Now, preparing for Saturday’s Anglia Bus Forum tour!

It’s been a busy bank holiday weekend. I’ve got TMA04 for M150 OU course to go in by Tuesday night – but I’ve done 50%, so (a) I’m not ignoring you lot, and (b) it’s now time for a break.

We were out yesterday, intending to do other things, but made it as far as Cambridge Retail Park, where Caroline invested in some more shiny gadgets. My spending excess was on a Cupertino Mousepad – not the heaviest of upgrades, but a very smooth surface. Every time I spill something on a cloth one, the optical mouse goes wonky… anyway, Caroline mentioned that Cupertino is where Apple are based. Maybe that’s why the silver and white design came from.

The subject line came from a T-shirt I spotted in Homebase yesterday, which was immediately texted to thebustocrookes  – Dougie seemed to approve! Having said that, ideal book title? London Cheesecake/Apple Danish/Mexican Lattice is not quite the same!

What else? Well, hello to chancernw  on LJ, and everyone that I’ve added (or who has also added me) via Facebook in the last few weeks.

Found this thanks to thermalsatsuma  a litlle while ago!

Find My iPhone

With a busy time of it, I trust that I’m forgiven for overlooking the journal!

Today was a busy one too – after C’s two appointments this morning (and wait for blood tests afterwards), I’ve been trying to catch up since. Tomorrow, of course, is an evening appointment at Sussex Nuffield Hospital, Brighton, at 1900, then back in time for Wednesday morning 0930 at the Forvie/HD clinic at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge! Thursday, not just a CMA due in, then a discussion with the woman from ICAS in regards to the doctor who got us in this mess in the first place!

In the meantime, yes, it’s been hectic all around. Many things happening. Most important for me  being new phones (the last cordless phones were cutting out after less than five minutes, after four years of use), and a new Apple aluminium thin keyboard, which is useful for having all the keys in the right places (versus a PC one) and having a visible Caps Lock light (useful for when trying to TAB and hitting it inadvertently!) Sound simple, but it’s the things that I spend most time with. Also, lots of purchases, one leaving the flat – we’ve sold the colour laser printer via eBay, and replaced it with a mono one. No major problems, just an issue with cost of refilling it every few months working out more than we had hoped. The sale has helped pay for it’s replacement. Also, on Friday and Sunday, we had stops at Lush Cambridge for several armfuls of items.

Transport – meh, lots to talk about. I’ll come back to that.

So, I’m kind of in two minds, but then again, maybe that’s inevitable. (If you’ve just started reading my journal, you may wish to go back over the lump/bulge/bigger issues since November 2008). As to how I’ve ended up with two referrals for one set of work, well, that’s something else. Just hope that one way or another, this can be looked at, and diagnosed with whatever.

I had kind of hoped to say something thoughtful and monumental. It’s almost like being at the beginning again. Remember back to March 30/31 and April 1 2007, when I first came down for an appointment at the hospital – and ended up falling in love with Caroline. Many thoughts through my head that day – but the main reason for going was, of course, a prequel to surgery. As for everything that happened between those two things, well, what is done is done. In the meantime, I’ve became a better person for being in love, but that might still be skirting the situation. The reason for going down, is, of course, going to lead (eventually, more than likely) to some further surgical work. I shall take one day at a time on that score.

In the meantime, Wednesday morning, and it’s the Genetics thing again. Now, I’ve got this, like it or not. I’ve been trying to split bad feelings to between what should normally be expected (hormonal ups and downs), feelings of anxiety/depression (I’ve begun to think that it is mostly anxiety, but depression perhaps at certain times), and potentially explosive reactions that I’d seen before from my father. Of course, he couldn’t control the latter, and it’s not easy to watch. Especially when I didn’t know why, at that time. However, it does allow me to know what to watch out for – hope that doesn’t sound bad, but I frequently have to take the best of bad situations! Over the last few months, stability/walking has been an issue. Okay, I did have a fairly bad fall (well two of them one evening peak in central London) and that didn’t help – physically or mentally. It’s not a good thing to be walking and falling face-first. Especially when it’s not the first time. I am trying to take things a little easier for now. It’s kind of just as well that we’ve settled in where we are, for now, but never say never. So, how can I work around this? By putting the experience of bad days behind me, and vowing to live for the good ones. However, there’s a slight drawback in having to reveal all my personal problems in the last six months, in the space of several hours… and hopefully, some sleep.

I’ve done many things more than once in my life. Is this going to be the start of another journey, through the remaining months and years of my life? Trying to make the best of life as I can, as we are, and surviving through the bad times. I’d like to give it a go.

OK, so I’ve been running around a little this week, but I was exceptionally tired on Friday and Saturday. I had feelings before of hoping and getting out of the slump, but unfortunately not.

Highlights of the week…
* Getting 82% on TMA02 on Open Uni course M150. This was especially good, as the evening of the deadline saw a number of problems, including me inadvertently destroying the USB drive with the work on it, after I raised my knee into the edge of Caroline’s Mac PowerBook. Then, losing the pictures and formatting from within the document… anyway, as can be seen, a good recovery was made!
* Some good and bad moments. Lack of energy and pain is affecting my mood, as well as other issues. I’ve been trying not to get too badly upset.
* Appointment confirmed with the GIC in west London in little over four weeks time. It did look like it was going to be in the same week as my next genetics appointment, but the latter has been brought forward at my request (she said that they would if they had a cancellation). Thankfully not the same week, but also, it’s the same week at Caroline’s two appointments in the same morning at Addenbrooke’s, the cut-off date for the second CMA for T175, the BABUS AGM, as well as Fathers Day, which I have a gift to parcel up and send off in due course.
* Friday, oh dear. After getting the letter re the GIC appointment, was about ready to go out for the train to Cambridge. No, someone was on the track at London Kings Cross, so everything on the way out was at a standstill. So, I went for the bus… had to get cash, did so, managed to make it around, and it was a unexpected surprise, Stagecoach Trident 17078 on the 26! Took that into Cambridge, then onto work. After work, on the way home, my shoes managed to split at the top (canvas summer type that C somehow didn’t like after all…) and as a result, it came off my foot in the middle of Cambridge Emmanuel Street, with just a few minutes to go before the bus back to Royston. So, limped around to Drummer Street with one shoe on…
* Saturday, almost equal fun. After getting a forwarded election communication that Scottish Labour sent to my old address, asking locals not to vote SNP (not long after they’ve taken control of the City Council), I wondered what chance a Scottish Nationalist would stand if up for election in North Hertfordshire… not me, but just the chances of… anyway, we went out to Cambridge to the Lucky Star buffet followed by the cinema next door, C wanted to watch Angels And Demons, which she had also been reading. More shoe problems… mind you, following the previous day’s incident, purchase of a book on the history of footwear was an inspired purchase (perhaps) at the booksale earlier – along with a large Spanish dictionary, with attached USB drive. We’ll see.
* About to make lunch for the both of us – it is our 26 month anniversary today.

It’s been a busy last few days, largely as I’ve had a TMA (Tutor Marked Assessment) TMA02 for my M150 OU course. Firstly, I got confused in my last post – T175 scores resulted in CMA41 (Computer Marked Assessment - multiple choice) getting 92%, whereas TMA02 for T175 pulled a 62% score.

On Sunday night, and then again on Monday night, I had real problems in sleeping – unable to remain still and calm. The Sunday was the worst I’d had it for quite a while – Caroline seemed to be upset over it, but I discussed it with her later - it’s something I’d kind of expect to start kicking off with the other HD symptoms around now. I’m getting a variety of symptoms in different things, at different times. Hopefully the sleep problems are not the start of something – indeed, last night I was fine. Given last night’s study on TMA02 for M150, not surprising. Half-done on Monday, so I was hopeful. Three-quarters done on Tuesday lunchtime, and finished by Tuesday evening – or so I thought – but the second JavaScript didn’t work. Lots of hair-tearing, but then, I managed to crack my knee off the sticking-out USB drive that held the work I’d done so far! Salvaging what I could via Caroline’s machine then meant losing the screenshots, formatting, headers and more. Never mind, got it in with a couple of hours to spare before the deadline!

After all that, another busy day, with various deliveries coming throughout the day. Having converted to a Sky package (a bit more for not a lot more), we now have an offer from o2 for broadband, which C is mulling over. It’s less than half the price of what we pay now for the back-up line, and it will mean we’ve just upped both lines in speed, and brought in a new digital HD satellite recorder, at little over the old price for two separate 8mb ADSL broadband access and phone lines. C was talking about you have to keep changing to get the best deal, and I guess it’s true in any part of the world.

Following various problems with the doctor, a complaint/access request has gone in. We’ve had the request to arrange a time to meet for the notes access request, and the complaint will be dealt with. I’d rather not have had to do it, but when you end up waiting 60-90 minutes after the time just to get in – that’s worth a whinge in it’s own right, isn’t it? Then there is everything else… as part of the complaint, I asked them to ensure that the referral request was sent to the CORRECT people, as an urgent request. Exactly what happens now is yet to be found out.

Following this post, we had a brief Monday out. Not very long, enough to get what we needed, but not too long to tire Caroline out. After stopping for lunch, onto Cambridge Retail Park for some more my-size-and-colour tops from Evans. I stopped shopping when I thought I’d spent too much on Saturday at Lowestoft, but turned out I’d not, so I went back for two lots of 3 for £12 T-Shirts to add to the similarly priced vest tops bought earlier in the weekend. I also bought two new pairs of summer shoes, one more belt, one more formal dress (these two on sale) and a blue skirt. I’m now sneezing rapidly – I think it’s start of the pollen season!

Tuesday, and C returns to work, but I’ve been busy at home. The BABUS website and email addresses are now complete (for now, more content to follow), so those are now in use, and the Bulletin Board was set up by me earlier. Tesco home delivery came shortly after Parcelforce arrived with our two personalised engagement rings, which we’d decided to order from Next Generation Pride – they arrived today, in an envelope from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Yes, it’s quite a bit cheaper to have two rings, hand made by two caring women, with our birthstones and names, mailed here, including paying VAT and customs handling, even with the weak state of the pound, than buying something retail – and we tried, only to find those we wanted were out of stock when we went for one.

I’ve now caught up with the vast majority of my to-do list, and am now back up to speed, and now to add the rest of the names to my new SIM card address book (started on Friday on the way to Lowestoft).

While Caroline has been recovering at home, I’d agreed some time ago to go off to Lowestoft for a few days with David and Jacqueline. The travelling for those days is getting to me, but I said I’d come from Friday to Sunday – as David was paying for the hotel room for me, as well as their own! Anyway, a nice weekend occurred – used the opportunity to get some new summer clothing too. David had also offered to purchase a new mobile for me, so I’ve now got a white & purple Nokia 5000 (plus an o2 USB modem as an upsell!) It was a nice weekend away, and I got back here early lunchtime, where C came out of the house for the first time in a few days!

My thumb is somewhat sore as I type this (to add to that I’ve also somehow managed to take the skin off one of the healing blisters on my right knee with the bed night before last) so you can have a look at the pictures taken over the weekend.

Further to my last post alluding to a busy couple of days coming ahead, it’s happened. You see, it’s been quite a notable weekend.

Friday, and I went to Cambridge then onto Milton for work. Busy, as expected, and I offered to stay a little later to clear up the day’s administration. Having said that, one call stuck out. Not because of it being anything notable (and I can’t mention the specifics obviously), but because of what happened after it was done – the caller phoned back. To thank me for the suggestion, which resolved both of her problems. I’m not letting all this praise go to my head, but it’s maybe something new to me. I mentioned before that where I’ve worked in the past, management have passed on the complaints, but never the compliments. Oh, and no slip-ups (I didn’t fall over), but there was one problem with the train from Cambridge (the train comes from London express, that splits into two at Cambridge, one for Kings Lynn, and one goes back stopper to Kings Cross) that held me up on the way home for about ten minutes. Never mind, C was quite happy to wait for me, and we went for muchies afterwards!

So, after a long day at work, stopping for pizza, I’d barely had time to digest the days mail and web happenings, but I had to be up and out very early on Saturday morning. Out for the 0743ish train to Hitchin, before taking whichever bus that came first (in the end it was a 700 to Stevenage) into Hitchin town centre. I’d planned to get the 0840, but after arriving at Hitchin, St Mary’s Square at 0808, thought I might be able to run through to Bancroft for the 0810 – but no, never mind. Time for a quick wakeup snack before getting the M1 to Bedford, Stagecoach “Mars” Service M1, to Bedford, and Dart 34827.


There was a reason for the trip to Bedford, at early on Saturday morning. I’d been invited to a Executive Committee Meeting of the Bedford Area Bus Users Society (BABUS). I’m currently catching up with joining a number of local groups across the south and beyond, and this was one that I’d found out about via the link on the Stagecoach in Bedford local website, two years ago, when I was using the X5 every Friday from MK Coachway to Cambridge, to spend the weekend with Caroline. Anyway, I digress. This was the group that I mentioned had asked me in with a view to asking me to consider assisting with their website and bulletin board. The previous person who did the site has not been able to look after it any longer, and told the group some time ago, so the need has been somewhat urgent. After arriving at Bedford bus station, followed the directions (misread one, but got back in plenty of time!) to the Friends Meeting House.

This was a meeting of an extraordinary nature, largely as a result of my presence. Additionally, further related discussion was of the manifesto (something else that they want to go on the web), and issues with Service X5 (predominantly the stop at Parkside in Cambridge and the lack of local signage/facilities). One other person was also invited in on a similar basis to this, and we discussed a number of issues with the current service – although it was agreed the new coaches were very good, and a huge improvement on the earlier coaches (some being former Perth National Express vehicles, so they were on their last legs). There were a number of other issues re the X5 (in advance of their meeting with Stagecoach on such matters), including problems with the WiFi, and also the requirement for wheelchair users to book 48 hours in advance. I wondered why Stagecoach Scotland only require half of that time… we shall see.

I digress again. The main reason that they were there was to try and ask me to possibly look at the website and bulletin board. The chairman is one of my members, and I’d recognised the secretary from being sat in front of me earlier on the M1, I wondered when he was reading a Bus Users UK magazine, but decided not to say anything at the point. After a brief discussion, I agreed, and turned the tables around to ask what THEY wanted their website to do, and what I could do for them. The sec followed this up with “all our Christmas’s have turned up at once”. A discussion followed, and they decided to co-opt myself (and one other person) onto the Committee – in my case, with special interest and responsibilities for the website.

After all that came to an end, back to Central Bedford. Met Caroline off the Park & Ride - after a little while of not being in the right places - not helped by me leaving my phone somewhere! I defiantly had it on the M1 as I remember getting a message from Caroline to say that she had received her Gender Recognition Certificate, so I did want to congratulate her. Anyway, until I get my mobile back, no point in ringing or texting it!

We’d sat down at a Wetherspoon’s pub, but the kitchen had just been closed due to a pipe burst, so we ended up in an independent café/bar place the other side of the arcade behind the bus station. Food was nice, the place itself was okay. One more stop I think (when I spotted the former VT99 coach now repainted, and in use on the X5 – someone asked me for that the day after I was in MK last), and then back to River Street for Dart 33183 back to the Park & Ride.


After resting yesterday (a day without slip-ups, and one near thing - so very good, despite my knee still hurting quite often, and not being able to put any weight on it), caught up with paying things due (two domain renewals, hosting, etc.) plus a few other bits and pieces bought. This morning, via iTunes, purchased the National Rail app for my iPod Touch (for some reason, the free one is no longer usable, because Kizoom’s data licence has expired, just in time for National Rail to sell their own at £4.99 a time!), as well as Kelly Clarkson’s latest album. Her most recent song is stuck in my head, quite a lot of the time. However, once again for her, the lyrics matter – my life would suck, without my someone special! I also purchased one other track from quite a while ago, that I’ve heard a lot through the Magic Radio Player online at the moment – you may wonder why I’m after Neil Diamond, but have a look at the lyrics…

Where it began, I can't begin to know when
But then I know it's growing strong
Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along

Hands, touching hands, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined to believe it never would

And now I, I look at the night, whooo
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two, oh
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you

Oh, one, touching one, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
Oh I've been inclined to believe it never would

Ohhh, sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good

She’s my Sweet Caroline, and I love her so much, for making all this in my life possible! Yes, My Life Would Suck Without You!

You can see the couple of pictures from Friday, and all the pics from Saturday, online now.

Further to my post on Sunday about jennyemily  and Zoe R’s civil partnership, my ABF admin Bob T’s wife Zoe gave birth to their daughter on Sunday. What are the odds? Two major events on Sunday, both involved a woman called Zoe! :-)

Anyway, back to bedlam…

… I was working on the second edition of the Dundee Area Bus Fleetbook yesterday, and the Mac desktop (plugged via a CAT5 cable into the router on my desk) stopped getting web throughput. No email, no web. I’m looking at the laptop on my left, which is streaming audio really well at that point. They are both plugged into the same router, AirNetwork2. So, a cold reboot (i.e. pull the power out) of the router, after a reboot of the Mac failed to do anything. Now, no light on the router… oh teapot! Left it till C came home, and she had a look. The Vista laptop is conveniently overlooking the router (AirNetwork2) that it is plugged into, and decides to go wireless to AirNetwork1, forty feet away! Anyway, the router appeared to have a adaptor swich go off, but is now back in use.

After an order for booklets from Transport for London were delivered (in several packages) last month, I got one parcel from CDL (their distribution house) yesterday. One today. I think they’ve doubled up my order… and, no sign of the Chesham/Amersham Met Line folder that I’ve asked twice in the last six weeks for…

…I’ve also had the Tesco delivery in today. Now, we usually choose “without bags” as an option, largely as it works out better costwise overall (i.e. 1p in points per four items without bags). thebustocrookes has previously mentioned about Tesco selling Polish water, but then guilt-tripping you when you ask for a bag. So, today, in with our shopping… a 998 page Tesco Direct paper catalogue, in a carrier bag!

Today’s trip out is to be the first in a busy week and a half coming up, so keep watching! We’re approaching the two-year point of our relationship too, with some plans for the weekend immediately beforehand. It’s been fun to think back of all the things I’ve achieved with her help in the last two years, but even more so, of the good times and fun we’ve had. Still love her now as much as I did back on 31st March 2007.

We’ve had a good weekend. After I had an online tutorial yesterday morning (headset dead – I was sure that I’d tested it!), we went out into Cambridge and Saffron Walden. We stopped at the usual G&P booksale, onto the retail park, before continuing to a Wetherspoon’s pub in Saffron Walden (called The Temeraire – thanks to one of the books I bought yesterday, I can now explain that name was chosen after a battleship in one of Turner’s paintings). Caroline has a taste for their food, and likes being able to sit down somewhere quiet.

Today, out very briefly – replacing under-warranty headset, and obtaining prescriptions, and all is well with the world. C is quietly happy at her recent (see my previous post!) change to medical status, and was rather impressed at having a pack of hormones prescribed in the NHS way, as opposed to a very costly private prescription. Later, I’ve been catching up on my emails and stuff, and have partially reorganised some of the study, making more space, and ending some of the clutter.

It’s been a busy week, with well over 280 miles done in the last 8/9 days. It has been a busy time, with some difficult moments, and we’ve both pulled through. We’ve achieved 23 months together, and are now on course for the full two years. I did say I’d spend time with those who did want me, as opposed to fretting over those who don’t. I love that woman, and damn proud of it too. Yes we have baggage in our lives, but who doesn’t these days?

Further to my previous post, I've found this page on the Ryanair website... only method of transport where the cost of a phone call is more than the actual flight...

Stay connected during the flight

Be reachable by loved ones, friends & business colleagues

Ryanair is equipping its fleet with a mobile phone system. If you see a Phone Use Permitted sign on the aircraft, simply switch on your mobile phone or BlackBerry when the sign is green.

You can then make and receive calls, and send and receive text messages. The inflight mobile service is an international roaming service, so don’t forget to dial + or 00 followed by the country code.

You can also catch up on email during the flight, from your smartphone (e.g. BlackBerry, iPhone, HTC) or from a laptop equipped with GPRS connectivity.

Your onboard communications will appear on your usual mobile phone invoice. Your home provider sets the rates. Typical prices are about €0.50 for text messages; between €2.00 and €3.00 per minute to make and receive calls; and between €1.00 and €1.50 for an email session without major file transfer (100 KB). Prepaid is also supported. Switching on your phone and receiving text messages is free.

Ryanair launches mobile phone service

Ryanair has become the first British or Irish airline to allow mobile phones calls during flights. But, as you might expect, it comes at a fair price!

"Passengers on board today's 10am service from Gatwick to Dublin were able to make and receive voice calls, text messages and emails.
Although Ryanair has been keen to introduce the system since last year, it has been waiting for authorisation from European regulators.
The airline has indicated that it intends to roll the service out across its fleet of 170 aircraft within 18 months.
"Today's launch is the first step to offering in-flight mobile phone services on board our entire fleet," said Ryanair's chief executive Michael O'Leary. "We expect customer demand for the service to grow rapidly."
Calls will cost between £1.50 and £3 per minute, text messages will cost 40 pence each and emails will cost between £1 and £2. Only customers of 02 will be able to use the service, although Ryanair says that all other network providers will sign up."

It’s been a busy week, since my last post. We have a replacement for the car… one that drinks less fuel, a autumn red Mazda, which is currently on a Select registration plate. The couple downstairs were moving back offshore, and C took it for a spin. I’m still getting used to it!

Friday… remember I mentioned Rebecca’s Wishes? Well, after the post re Norfolk Green’s fundraising efforts, I googled the charity, found the website. So, we now have one of their teddies in our collection too!

Saturday is mentioned in it’s own post!

Today, we took the defective freezer to the Recycling Centre (minus the door handle – replacement for the identical broken fridge handle, so there was some good out of all this!)

Tomorrow (Monday) should be a quiet one.

Tuesday, wait and see - but hopefully, the start of an important week can go well!