What It says on the Tin

For the makers of this beer, they have been through hell. Lots of roadworks means delays in getting vital supplies at crucial moments when they need their logistics to be on track to make and distribute their products. There’s been road closures and the pavements turned into trenches as people try to pass through. There are literal cracks in the earth fenced off by traffic cones, orange barriers and metal fencing. Unfortunately the brewery is no longer with us. The brewery haven’t been able to relocate, though I hope that their skills are put to good use elsewhere. The moon has risen to shine over hell which has turned the sociable pint glass into a can. At least the roadworks have now been canned. But it’s not really the moon, it’s just my flash reflected over the can and onto the window beyond. Either that or it’s a gigantic ball of froth erupting from within.

Musical Games

The app opens with a nice simple jazzy theme tune followed by a round of cheers that somehow gets me excited. Then I’m invited to choose from musical statues, musical chairs, or musical bumps. I’m then asked if I’m ready to start. I wonder what the tunes will be. I’m wished good luck and I’m asked to dance to what seems like a seafarer paying an accordion. Then it cuts short and asks everyone to freeze. It thanks me for my dancing and asks who the last person was to be still. Strangely enough, it doesn’t ask for the number of people who are playing or their names. It just asks you to tell it when there’s a winner but there’s no congratulations. The music is a random selection of traditional children’s tunes, mixes. Sometimes it asks to tell you to dance in a particular amusing behaviour like a chicken. It seems like a lazy parent’s way to entertain a group of children, though they would still have to be there to be a judge. I’ve got inkling to try the other two games unless I’m entertaining a group of children.

Give and You Shall Receive

It’s nice when small actions come back at you. When someone’s nice to me, I always try to repay the favour, though I’d prefer to return it directly to them rather than pass it on. I still owe a man in a coastal sweetshop 20p, though I doubt he’s there any longer or will ever remember me. I do return the favour in kind to children as they’re often unable to contribute themselves. But when it comes to giving to strangers, where do you draw the line? Sometimes you feel that you receive too much from others, but you’d like to think this because they believe that you are worthy. How can a stranger prove their worth by asking? If they’ve already performed a good deed for you then that’s fair enough, but you shouldn’t give in to demand. At other times there may be an opportunity to impress others with you that might win favour. So choose carefully.

Down but Not Out

Here’s to all the merry gang. We’re confined to our homes for this year so we’re doing our best to raise a glass to promote good beer despite not being able to drink any in good company. We might not be able to seek out new favourites or reunite ourselves with old ones. Instead, we’re mostly confined to bottles and cans. Occasionally, someone will offer to deliver to our door. But at least we’ve got the great outdoors to absorb in our own backyard and we can create our own atmosphere to suit our tastes rather than develop one atmosphere to suit everyone. It’s also a chance to investigate what glassware we have. Some of us have too many and the collection needs sorting or at least rotating. Some will realise that we’re missing certain items from our collection. But whatever we do, we know we’ll be back up and running when we’re allowed to be. Cheers!

Bitch Boss or Boss Bitch?

A natural tall blonde that would be at home on the back of a motorbike, with a small pimple on her fair face and shoulder-length hair that’s sometimes tucked into a bun. When she’s not at work she prefers to opt in for a formal business suit and trousers and jeans rather than any kind of dress. She can be loud and a bit boisterous in her opinions and isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. While not married, she’s still managed to be a family woman and has produced both children and grandchildren, and isn’t afraid to tell her friends and colleagues of their antics. She’s also fortunate enough to still have both parents, though they are both declining and she’s had to seek extra care for them recently. Workwise, she likes to seek out things that make it easier for her, but it doesn’t necessarily help you in any way. She likes people to be independent.

From Boats to Bridges #eckington 11

It’s peaceful out here. The traffic passing over the bridge is infrequent enough not to be noticeable. Perhaps the width of the bridge, its high walls and the traffic light control has something to do with it. From the docks it looks like the first arch is crumbling away. It’s almost as if the ramp has been built to support it. The next arch has branches growing underneath it like an old tree root reattempting to grow where it once was. Either that or someone’s built a blockade on one side of it. It’s almost as if someone’s trying to make a dam. It’s not to stop someone from entering the arch as they could probably do so from the other side. They must be trying to block the water. At least the arches for the boaters are clearly labelled. I wonder if it’s a one-way system. It’s a shame that you can’t see the other side.

Paddington

This was a lovely film for an introduction to a well-loved character, if a bit far-fetched in places. I loved the novelty of the bathroom scene and Mr. Brown’s occupation as well as the bears assumptions of everything in comparison to their visitors. There’s a lot of characters that seem to accept the impossible and carry on with their lives as if things have no consequence such as Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Bird. But there’s also a spark of innocence as a beloved character explores a world that we take for granted. The all-star cast is executed as much as the script allows, but I feel that a different story could have involved more characters. There’s some great chaotic action scenes that children will adore, as well as a lot of small jokes that people can identity with. But if a Home For Retired Bears exists, surely there must be a part of bear society to accompany orphaned bears?

We Will Remember Them #eckington 10

It’s nice to be able to commemorate the villagers that stepped forward to risk their lives on our planet’s terrible conflicts. It’s good to see that the neighbourhood keeps these memorials in good condition. They’ve even roped off the green to discourage people from using it as a thoroughfare to cross the road or give drivers an excuse to use it as a roundabout. It looks like the flowers are tended to regularly, though occasionally there has been changes in the flowerbed patterns. I like the idea that the names are entombed within a rock. It somehow seems less morbid than a simple tombstone. Occasionally the shrubbery has been over trimmed. In this picture it looks like a bush that’s flown out of someone’s garden. But amazingly, whatever the weather, the lion is always its purist white. Surely someone gives it a fresh coat of paint at the start of every season?

"Invention is by it's very nature disruptive. If you want to be understood at all times, don't try anything new."

-Jeff Bezos.

Inventors are creating things that don’t exist before. There’s suddenly a new idea. But how do you handle it? What is it trying to achieve? Will it change other things for the better? Is it a completely new product or is it changing the way that things are currently done? Some people don’t like change and they’ll want to witness how the innovation might make things easier for them. They may not understand the benefits which will be why they want things left as they are. It might mean extra work or it may even be a process that won’t require their presence anymore. Alternatively, it could create more labour which results in extra revenue, growth and a larger workforce for the company. Or it could be a process which makes others unnecessary which would be welcomed. Someone might even find a fault with your idea and help to develop it further.

Getting to the Church on Time #eckington 9

Churches aren’t really equipped for modern-day life. After all, they were built hundreds of years ago in the heart of the community so they didn’t really account for people driving to and from their services. They would focus on the people around them, and envisioned that most people would be able to propel themselves from their homes to the church. Other countries have planned communities for these buildings so are able to incorporate a car park into their construction plans. But here, if there’s a big event then it can be a real scramble to find a spot outside. You best get there early unless you’re still walking or you may find that you still have a bit of a walk even if you’re driving. It could be a great opportunity to make friends with the local pub landlord or the neighbours who might have a space on their land. 

Bags of Trouble #dreamdiary 168

A middle-aged couple are returning a grey Reebok sports satchel to the store that I work in. The woman is short with curly hair and wears glasses and a large winter overcoat while the man is bit taller and skinnier and he’s bald and wearing a cardigan. There’s nothing wrong the bag and it’s still in its cellophane wrapper. I wander off with it down a corridor at a slow pace. It’s fairly busy, and its wooden floor is raised over a beach separated by a wooden barrier. I file the bag away on the shelf for another customer to purchase. I suddenly realise that I have no idea what the couple want instead other than they’re expecting a different product. They may be assuming that I’m bringing it out for them but I haven’t even made an enquiry as to what they want. I decide that I’d better go and have a look at their receipt to make sure that it’s all valid and that they haven’t just pulled a bag off the shelves.

Every Rattle Helps #eckington 8

How long have these houses been divided up by the railway? Judging by the brickwork, it looks like the railway was there before the village started expanding, though there may have been a station present at some point. I’m guessing that this right in the centre of the village where the newer houses stand. It’s a shame that there’s no former landmark to recognise the village’s history. Perhaps an accident occurred that they’d rather forget. At least the embarkment’s looking nice with all the wildflowers growing from beyond the resident’s gardens. I hope they have enough privacy from the trains and that it’s not too noisy out there. Perhaps there’s restrictions in the evenings. It does look like a scenic place to stop if anything goes wrong, but you can’t pick your accident spots. If it was me I’d put something interesting in the window each week. It could a political poster or even just a QR code, but it would have to be something different each time to encourage people to keep scanning.

 

Independent

It’s nice to able to support independent businesses. If you’ve never been before, it’s their chance to impress you. The only thing is that if they get it wrong, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be lured back. You’d expect them to pay attention to detail and discuss your visit with them to make it more memorable and to encourage you to visit again. If things don’t work, it’s quick and easy to turn things around. But with a chain, once you’ve been there, you know what to expect more or less. You might even get a bit extra for less if the staff sides with you rather than the company as it’s not them that’s footing the bill. With an independent, you’d have to make an effort to get on well with the owner to be in favour, or be prepared to pay a bit more. But at least the owner looks for every opportunity to market their business.

Tracking your Order #eckington 7

It’s not often that you get to stand and see a train pass up close. They’re usually fenced off away from people, and in stations they’re mostly stationary or travelling at reduced speeds. The fact that it was a freight train made it even rarer. We were safe and high enough on a footbridge to see and wave to the driver as he passed below, and he responded by giving the horn a friendly toot. I wonder how much produce was loaded up on these tracks. Were the containers going to be sorted or were they all prepped to be loaded onto trailers when they reached its destination? It was certainly a long load, yet there wasn’t anything to stop us from jumping onto it like we were in an action film if we wanted. And then it vanished out of sight leaving nothing but empty space and a rattle in the distance.

Cable Conundrum

My mother managed to somehow break her charging cable for her smart watch. Because these cables aren’t usually long enough and most plug sockets are nearer to the floor rather than at table height, things that charging are usually left on the floor which becomes a bit inconvenient if you’re sitting down in the space at the same time and inadvertently step on the cables. So the wire was OK apart from the connection between the metallic points. The smartwatch wasn’t a branded one so we had to order it direct from the retailer, but when it arrived it didn’t conduct any electricity into the watch. The metallic connectors were the same size and distance, but it was the magnetic clamps that were slightly smaller which didn’t provide us with any action. Looking at the reviews, a lot of people had the same problem, and when I requested a refund the seller didn’t even bother asking for it back.

Fluttering Around #eckington 6

Small and delicate, these creatures exits only to pollinate the fruit in our fields. They were one thought to be extinct, but perhaps that’s only in urban areas. So it’s a delight to see them out in the wild, even if it’s on a roadside hedge. They’re also a decent size so they’re easy to spot, though sometimes hard to follow as they flutter around. They never seem to fly in a straight line. It’s almost as if there’s a drunken pilot at the helm. I wonder if it’s because of their size and delicate wings that they find it harder to navigate through the air. Or perhaps they’re trying to fade in and out of sight of the time continuum as a means to avoid their predators which makes them harder to spot and accounts for their short lifespan, at least on our plane. It makes you think what their lives were as caterpillars.

 

Open your Spice Cabinet

I wish I had a spice cabinet. It seems quite exotic, all those exciting flavours stored in a dedicated place with its own little wooden door. It's the aroma to a gateway to another land of Arabian Nights and simpler times. The wood itself would have been quite an aroma. I wish that there would be little ceramic pots, each labelled with their own spoons sticking out for detached measures. But the smells would just rot away on exposure to oxygen and it would be carried away by the fresh air. Instead, I'd have to settle for little jars or plastic pots to make do with the spices that I can afford, each with screw-on lids. And they’d be put unceremoniously in one shelf of the cupboard rather than having their own dedicated cabinet. Who knows, one day I might stretch to a spice rack but I’d have to ensure that the jar size would never change. And it’ll probably expire before I use it all. Then just when I think I've got a particular spice, I'll never be able to find it when I need it.

Farm Tycoon

I’m guessing this is going to be one of those annoying games that you use a voice to earn coins, but I’ve got no idea how it’s going to work without seeing it on a screen. Maybe I’ll get an audio description every time. Hopefully I won’t have to ask it to repeat every instruction. The narrator has a slow and annoying voice like a drab Richard O’Brien. My first question is a simple yes or no answer. My wealth has increased, but I have no idea what that means. In five minutes I have exposed a conspiracy to expose the farm, denied any allegiance to the war, and lost a supply of ox fur that I never knew that I had. Occasionally there are interesting sound effects. The decisions don’t seem to take into account what has transpired the question before apart from the statistics. It seems to be a fast and furious round of decisions, and I assume the game ends when I run out of money or get bored.

Water's Calling #eckington 5

It’s frustrating when you’ve been out for the day and you’ve left your car in a perfectly legal spot to find that you’ve been boxed in, simply because the car park has become too full. It wasn’t like that when I left it. We noticed it as soon as we returned to the car, but luckily we weren’t going to leave straight away. We’d brought a picnic, and as it was a lovely day the whole village and its neighbours had come over to the river for a dip. Some had even bought boats. But because they’d parked behind me, they’d left very little room for me to reverse out. The only way to achieve it was to keep pulling back and forward making little S-turns while brassed off until I had enough room to pass. I thought about leaving a note on the windscreen but typically I hadn’t got a pen. 

The Hairtrap #empress 18

Pieces of dirt flew everywhere. A head the size of a house emerged followed by long flowing blonde hair which just kept rising up like a waterfall to block out the sun. Behind the waterfall were two huge fleshy orbs stretching out like beachballs casting a shadow over the land below. The empress leaned forward and rested her breasts next to a barn which were the same height in comparison. She pushed into the ground with all her might to push her ass through the hole which she had created and rolled onto her breasts to get her smooth legs through. She’d just about managed to rest her feet on the other side, then the network of tunnels below her crashed into the ground, and the lower halves of her disappeared, leaving only a wave of golden hair like a field in its place. The tremors could be felt across the land.

The Last Stretch #eckington 4

With The Bell on your left, continue north along the road towards the church. The guide states that it’s worth taking a look inside and exploring the backstreets if you’re interested in period buildings, though we weren’t able to do this because of the COVID restrictions in place. Further on, you’ll pass the village’s war memorial and its book exchange inside the red phone box. You’ll then pass the town’s cemetery followed by a road of newer housing. As you pass the Scout Hut you’ll notice that the footpath continues past a kissing gate and follows the road safely on the other side of the hedge. This will rejoin the road at the bottom of the hill just before the caravan park. The entrance to the picnic car park is just round the next bend before you reach the traffic lights. Hopefully the car park won’t be overflowing and that you’ll have an easy exit unlike us.

The Sarah Jane Adventures

This was great family viewing to attract a new generation of viewers to a franchise. The plot wasn’t predictable at all, and the only thing that let it down was that the characters were overconfident at times and they didn’t seem to embrace fear when battling monsters as well as everyday issues, though most of the activities are planned in the attic and we rarely get to see the rest of the house. That said, it was a very enjoyable drama of extra-terrestrial  activity spurned on by someone who had done it all before and knew the cost of what is to be done. There’s some original characters as well as some old favourites and the series is well on point with its continuity. I love it when aliens turn into gunk when they decompose and the expressions the actors use when they brace themselves for it. There’s also some great guest stars in its villainous cast. It’s a shame that the series had to cease so abruptly.

Back to Reality #eckington 3

 The road back is quite a long path that winds into the distance on a slow incline. Unfortunately, it’s also a minor road so watch out for traffic. The only nice views you’ll have are of the surrounding hillsides. You’ll know that you’re going the right way as you follow the telegraph wires. Eventually you’ll start to enter civilisation as a few farmyard cottages will spring up alongside the road. Keep following the road passed a walled cottage painted in the style of a traditional Merchant’s house, and a T-Junction will come into view. Bear right towards another road, and as it continues around a left-hand bend head straight ahead onto a set of steps leading over the railway line. If needs must you can avoid the steps by following the road along to the high street, but you’ll miss the pub and church! From the other side of the steps, you’ll find The Bell on the left or you may prefer The Anchor which is a short walk opposite (signposted!).

Brotherly Duel #dreamdiary 167

I’m on holiday with my brother. I challenge him to a duel in the middle of town. I take the white glove and slap him in the face to make it official. I state that we should meet at the town square at noon. He just smiles at me. As the time approaches, I make my way to the meeting point. The square is filled out as a huge swimming pool. There’s shops on a balcony all around it, and there’s a statue in the centre, but other than that, it’s a huge pool. It looks a bit choppy, but the sun is shining down on it, and it’s crystal clear. You could see the sandstone floor beneath, but there was no sign of any filters which would explain why there’s no-one swimming in it though. Nevertheless, I pictured thousands of people taking a dip on a hot summer’s day.

Valley View #eckington 2

Once you’ve passed underneath the bridge, the Malverns will come into view. Turn south and the land here is that flat that you’ll even get a view of Bredon Hill and its beacon. But if you continue on the trail alongside the river, you’ll pass the local marina followed by a view of a church as you begin to turn south. The river gets quite wide and it’s a great place for spotting ducks. As you exit a kissing gate onto a road, you’ll notice a river lock to your right which is a great place to rest and there’s even some benches. If you’re lucky you might get an opportunity to see a narrowboat pass through. The main footpath continues south on the other side of the river towards the motorway, but you’ll need to follow the road north-east to return to your starting point. It’s a bit of an uphill climb.

Mother Goose

We have so much to learn from nature. You’d think that two different species with different attributes would constantly be at war with other. Yet a little feelgood story of a goose sheltering a puppy during a winter storm creates hope for us all. Perhaps the mother felt her maternal instincts kick in. Maybe she’d lost her family or lacked the opportunity to become a mother. She probably used the pole as a reference point so that help could be sort. It makes you wonder how the puppy got there in the first place. It would be hopeful to think that it was lost, but there’s always a chance that it could have been abandoned. I wonder what the puppy remember from the experience. It might be too young to have any sight or memory. There’s definitely an interesting story of how this tale originates but it may something that we can only guess at.

Eckington Wharf #eckington 1

This is a lovely, picturesque walk that’s easy to do by some nice riverside scenery on the border of the Cotswolds. It begins just outside the small village of Eckington where the road crosses the Avon over an old historic bridge. There’s a convenient picnic site with free car parking and benches with a lovely view of the bridge and river. There’s a lovely patch where the lily pads have clustered on the corner of the river. Cross the road directly opposite the entrance to the car park and head towards the bridge. Just before the stone walls you’ll see a footpath sign and a kissing gate. Follow the trail north-west through the hedge and it’ll become a dirt track alongside the river. Continue through the kissing gates and you’ll pass a bend and walk underneath the railway bridge. Time it right and you might see a train passing through.

Stinky Windows

He’s a quiet man with a van. He’s fairly tall and a little bit of a hunk without being too buff. He likes to be well groomed. He always has just the right amount of hair length both on top and in front. He’s never afraid to wear shorts whatever the weather, though sometimes he does wear a grey hoody in the winter. You get the impression that he’s usually a quiet and mild-mannered kind of person, but always looks happy and friendly despite being world-weary when executing his tasks. I suppose he’s got to if he wants to keep his customers. Sometimes he’s on his own and at other times he has a different assistant. You get the impression that his associates aren’t around to help him too much depending on what they’ve got going on with their lives. You wonder if it’s a different crew each time and whether it’s down to his style of employee management.

Tableside

Having a marble table may be a bit rich. It’s nice to have a heavy-duty worktop that’s smooth and looks as if it’s deep because it’s got veins in it and it’s very hardwearing. And at least the yellow beats can disguise any turmeric stains. The shade nearly matches the right page of the meu, even though the table’s older. I’m surprised the menu has survived given the number of pinholes in it. It’s certainly served its purpose. It’s almost as if the whole thing is placed on a Peshwari naan. It’s like a bad attempt with Photoshop. At one point we did have matching stools but we gave them a coat of paint to give them a new lease of live but they came out too dark. Our new worktop looks like granite, but because it’s not as bright I wonder if the scratches will be less disguised. Only time will tell.