November Phil

One thing I forgot to put in last months entry was the GV Cat 3D model that I created.  I put in the photos of it but not the model itself, so here it is.  The photo is of the machine part stripped down covered in muck with a few bits missing looking from the rear with the rear cover removed.  The front and rear covers are what hold the whole thing together so you cant get a phot without either of them.  However, its very easy to hide any covers that you like in a 3D model so its easier to visualize how it works.

Its funny, last month ended up a huge post in the end.  I started it early because I knew that we had no holidays or anything arranged for the month and thought it would give me a chance to do a couple of extras to fill in.  As the month progressed, more and more happened which gave me lots of photo’s as well.  November had a mini break to Prague and I have already posted a few times anyway so don't expect so much in this post.  Next month is our three in one holiday which is already starting to go wrong as they keep changing the flight times for the worst which means that we have to stay in a hotel at Gatwick before and after our holiday.

Of course, I have to put loads of pictures from our mini break in Prague.  I have tried to put most pictures that you have not already seen but I couldn't resist a couple of my favourites.

I usually put a picture or two of our room but I need to get in it first as Claire messes it up within seconds.  This time, I was the gentleman and carried Claire over the threshold and consequently she got in first and messed it up.  If you look closely below the right hand window we have a radiator.  It was covered up by the long curtains and nets.  Once I had spotted it and lifted the curtains into the window ledge the room warmed up much better. 

This is how I remember spending most of our time, walking around near water in the freezing cold.  Still, it meant that when we got back to England and it had turned cold here, we didn't feel it cause it was warm to us.  And of course, we had our woolen hats and scarves.

Wonderful building around Prague and you can even see at what time I took most of the pictures.

 

There she goes.  The difference this time is that I carried the backpack.  There wasn't room in our safe deposit box for a computer so I had to carry them around all day and I didn't want Claire's water on them.  Although this time she wasn't carrying water around but hot coco.

The square was very bust and all the market stalls were selling gluvine.  We did have one but its hard to drink more than one.

 

The Charles bridge is always good for a picture, whichever direction you approach it from.  Like Claire’s hat.  Trouble is , she even wore it in bed.  Should have kept them boots on too girl.

One of my favorites with the railing arches reflecting the bridge arches.  Another lucky stroke.

I was expecting this picture to come out better but the light was coming from the wrong direction with such a dark statue it looked too silhouetted.  The pigeon was sitting on Christ’s head and pooping on it.  That's supposed to be lucky.

We always like to have a drink in a Hard Rock if theres one around.  They still sell the hurricane cocktails where you get to keep the glass.  A 14 oz cocktail and the glass for just over a tenner; a real bargain when I had my first one in NY 33 years ago they were $10.

Ohh, I almost forgot, here is a picture of the Lagenda where we spent all our evenings.

This one reminded me of that nursery rhyme, what was it, where the cow jumped over the moon.  I am so pleased that we managed to get away as it seems to have done Claire (the moon) the power of good.

This month, Sue had, not one but two charity dinners.  One near the beginning of the month and one near the end.  Well it is near Christmas; how many will she have next month?

It was a great idea, everyone paid a tenner to come for a three course dinner which got donated to charity.  The money, not the dinner.  The chosen charities were, The Marie Curry Fund and Oxfam (I think, or maybe it was Alzheimer's) .  I think it must have cost Sue more than that for the ingredients so she could have just denoted the money to the charity .  But then we wouldn't have had such a good time.  These charities shouldn't only think of themselves, they should think of all those people out there enjoying themselves on their behalf.

The first charity dinner ended with a few songs from Pat.  It was a great night, thank you guys.  The next one it Pat’s charity dinner but we are still holding it at Sues because she has a bug table and lots of room.  Pats bringing two guitars to his dinner and Im doing the garlic bread so don't kiss me in the morning.

There is no party complete without Punch and Judy dancing the night away, even after everyone has gone home, slept and got up again.  Look, its already light.

I also managed to get to Loghborough to see Steve again.  Steve already had a ticket for the town hall where they had a Motown evening.  This is Steve with “Von”, Mell’s wife.  We had already been for a drink with Mel  before going out.

It was just like the old days; nothing had changed, except maybe 40 years.  Steve even celebrated by putting his central heating on.  He even cooked us bangers and chips when we got back but I had already passed out by the time it was ready.

It was also our Wednesday night, “Ladies Night” this month.  It should have been held on the 27th November but they changed Joan’s hospital appointment so we had to go a week early.  Unfortunately this meant the Jan and Steve,  Harriet and Billy and Vanessa couldn't make it. Here is Shirley telling Sue one of her many secrets.  Well, what used to be secrets.

Here is a nice one of Claire making sure that she gets in my picture rather than Jimmies.  It reminds me of that Dali picture, "Swan's reflecting Elephants".

It was nice to see Dave (Moth) Brown again.  He had a story to tell about a new species of moth that had eluded him for many decades.  He also had a couple of other stories to tell, one about his forthcoming trip to Japan with one of his university students.

Here is Jim saying Grace just before he started his colossal meal.  We still had a good night but we all had an extra drink for absent friends.

This month also saw Harriet and Billy view their very first house with a preference to buy.  It is in Giffard Park, just about three houses away from Bolbeck Park.  They are looking for a 2 bed but this one is a lower end three bed semi.  It has no garage but parking for two cars.  It needs work but nothing too major.  Its in a bit of a mess because it is being rented at the moment and full up with the tenants junk.  The kitchen is a little small and consequently they have white goods all over the rest of the house.  It seems a bit over priced to me but they will be open to offers and if they can get it at the right price should be a good investment at the right time.

The second of Sues charitable parties saw the same people as the first with a couple of exceptions, Dave and Carol didn't come to the first one.  I had heard a few stories about Carol but none of them materialized on this night and Dave seemed quite a character.

†he usual suspects were there.

And Pat made the night again singing more songs, old and older still.  I did take a video of him which I hope to edit and email to him as he doesn't have any.  Trouble is I took it with the camera on its side and its not like a photo where you just rotate it.  I need advice from the Wednesday night crew.  Got to go now, we got a holiday to go on.