Life and living in Ulverston, the Lake District Peninsulars and South Cumbria

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UPDATED; SATURDAY 18th MAY 2012.

Todays thoughts : It's going to get better.

FRIDAY 18th MAY

I had a good morning, out in the sunshine.  I finished  shortly after 12 as I had to take the Jag,  which is poorly at the moment,  down to Preston to be repaired.  She drove down perfectly but the gearbox is missing first gear.  They are confident of fixing it.  I found the place in Emmanuel Street without any trouble thanks to my wonderful Satnav.  They kindly drove me to the Railway Station as well.  I thought I would have a spot of lunch before travelling home.  So I went off to a nice Italian Restaurant that I have been to before and had a spaghetti carbonara and a glass of chilled white.  Delicious.   I got the  train back to Ulverston and it was packed solid.  No seats available anywhere.   Had a bit of tea and got W&P to meet up for Early Doors in the Farmers.  It was a full turn-out.  Dave and Sue Seeley,  Ding Dong, Alan Fry-1-Y,  John and Helen Stanton,  and Willy One-Eye.  The Pub was nicely full and we joined later by Wendy and Andy Murphy.  We all had a good time and I was home before 9.  A rather busy day.

THURSDAY 17th MAY

A rainy morning!  A rainy day!  And it's Market Day in Ulverston.  Such a shame after such a lovely day yesterday.  There were plenty folk in town though,  so that's a good thing to report. Plenty work to get on with and I've been whizzing around the courtyside.  And I love it!  The sun decided to come out later and at tea time I was able to enjoy a cup of tea on the poop deck.  With my sweater on!   I overheard a conversation which suggested that Chetwynde School had been saved,  at least for another year.  Now I do hope that is correct.  For the sake of the pupils,  teachers and  indeed,  for  the entire district.  Made myself a nice Chicken Balti for my tea.  Got all W&P for the Quiz at the Farmers.  The microphone system developed a  fault and so we were delayed by at least 10 minutes.  It was a good quiz and the money ( £80 ) was NOT won.  so it should be around £100 next week.

WEDNESDAY 16th MAY

A gorgeous morning which developed into a  gorgeous day.  Still a bit cool when not standing in the direct sunshine though.  Had a very full day and measured up a lovely house in Gleaston. ( Details available later today).   I got a call from an old pal,  Keith Goddard  ( used to manage Bradford and Bingley in Ulverston but now living in deepest Yorkshire ) who was pleased to be able to tell me what a Thumblerig is.   Went through to Dobson's to collect the Jag after they had had it on their analyser,  managing to confirm the trouble with the gearbox.  Sounds rather expensive!   Did my Reports and prepared for a Board Meeting scheduled for the evening. It lasted  no more than half an hour and everyone seemed happy enough with the state of things.  That's a good thing to report!  Had a tasty tea and then got W&P and met up with a few of the WNG in the Farmers.  Migrated to the Rose where I met Peter and then I was home for just after 11 and straight off to bobo's.  A full day.

TUESDAY 15th MAY

Rather cool when not in the direct sunshine,  but very pleasant nonetheless!  Had an excellent day,  business-wise.  Out and about from first thing.  Picked up an error on the computer print-out on the Jag.  It  showed a "gearbox fault". Keith managed to find an expert who has all this clever diagnostic computer reading kit and he came to see me but,  for some reason my Jag wouldn't talk to his equipment so it's going to Dobson's  on Wednesday and their equipment WILL be able to "talk to the Jag". I took the Jag out last evening and left in Dobson's forecourt so it is ready for them whenever they want to take a look at it.  I do hope it's a simple problem,  which hopefully translates to a less costly repair bill!

MONDAY 14th MAY

A very nice morning.  Out straight away ( directly after coffee and doing my blog).  Firstly to Askam and then on to Broughton Mills.  The views were fantastic and yet again,  I thank my lucky stars that I live, and work, in such a wonderful, spectacular part of the world.  I've been invited to be the Commentator at the Shetland Pony Grand National at Ford Park, on Sunday 27th MayFirst Race 1pm).  It's a great day out and of course,  we have the world famous Pantomime Horse Races.  This is where I invite teams to dress in panto horse costumes and race around the ( very short) track.The teams are for all ages and it's great,  simple fun.  Everyone enjoys it enormously.   I had a good afternoon,  though the weatehr did change dramatically from quite pleasant to a violent rainstorm.  Measured up a very nice detached bungalow in Dalton ( details available later today).  I went up to Clare's for a very nice tea of salmon en crout with Dauphinoise potatoes.  Very tasty!  Followed by mango crumble and cream. ( To pot with the cholesterol anxieties).  They are all doing well and  Marissa is doing her exams at school.  It's Chemistry today!  Ugh!  never my favourite I must say!  Home then and listened to Paul Jones and attacked the crossword.  Came across a lovely word in my crossword,   " THIMBLERIG".   Do YOU know what it means?

SUNDAY 13th MAY

Up nice and early to be part of the team taking down the flags from around the town.  Peter,  Judith,  Ceru,  Colin, Peter, Matt, Andy,  Andrew,  Joe and Willy. Between us we had them all down and bundled and back to the store by 12.15.  Brilliant piece of work.    I took the pick-up back to Eleanor's and then I returned home for a LDSB and a spot of lunch.  I got all W&P and set off for Haverigg for their Kite Fest.  Perfect weather for it with a strong breeze and NO RAIN!  I did not get there till after 3 so the event was coming to it's conclusion.  I called by to get some petrol at Grizeback Filling Station and had a chat with Adrian.  He showed me the pamphlet describing all the events that Kirby have already arranged for the  Diamond Jubilee.  Brilliant!.  They are well ahead of Ulverston.  Many congratulations to their organising committee. There was plenty folk  at the Kite Fest and I suspect that they had a successful weekend.  Back home again with enough time to grab a sandwich and a cup of tea before meeting up with the  Cocktails @ 5.  I was able to show them the letter that I had received from the Queen in response to the card I had sent on behalf of the  gang congratulating her on her Diamond Jubilee and presenting our Loyal Greetings.  We were all thrilled to receive it.  Derek was devastated at the result of the City - United match and we respected his sadness. We had a lovely evening and was home fairly early.  The end of a lovely weekend

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