The big picture

On Friday I flew back to England from Gothenburg. We took off and headed north, up toward Marstrand then out over the Skagerack to Denmark.It was a beautiful sunny evening as we crossed Jutland and then down the North sea..All the way down are blocks of shipping, groups of twenty or so, on both sides about four miles off the coast, just anchored up waiting for commerce to start again..
On Saturday I rented a van and drove down to Shoreditch to move my daughters..One has moved to Clapham, and the other to Finsbury park..It was a hot day, and we had some tense swearing, as I manoeuvred the too large van through the busy teeming streets..
Next week is the beginning of my four week summer break, and we are starting off with a weekend of Foraging, wild swimming, Astronomy and Philosophy in Devon..

Stroking the landscape

When I cycle I feel as if I am stroking the texture of the landscape..All the bumps and hollows..
On the way up hills I am sucking in air. and forcing blood and energy through my thighs n Calfs and on through my tyres and into the ground..
My mind then holds a topographic memory. It is the same with astronomy. I am getting to recognise stars and know how far away they are. I am building a three dimensional map of our galaxy..It is intellectual effort more than physical, but the principal is the same..

Coast to Coast

On Friday we set off from Bideford. Our intention was to Cycle all the way to Plymouth..
The Tarka trail was a proper treat. Bluebells, Ramson, buttercups and new ferns all sprouting brand new growth..The trail follows an old railway track and there are many viaducts to cross with views along the river Torridge..
We spent a pleasant night at the Half moon inn at Sheepwash, then cycled back past Bideford and up the estuary into Fremington quay..
We put the bike back onto the roofrack and drove across the moor into Tavistock.
In the morning we cycled from Lydford to the Meldon viaduct, then back again..

Sublime Virile Dominator

So the other day we met up with some pals on the South coast and we circumnavigated the Isle of White..My pal has a RIB, which is really quite fast..We zapped up the Solent and stopped at a beach near Ryde.My pals had made a picnic lunch, so we ate that while we observed all of the pleasure and commercial craft making their way into Portsmouth and Southampton..Then we reembarked and scooted around past the Needle's and back up into Lymington before tying up outside the Ship Inn for a beer..My Mate has really got the hang of picking up the bow waves of larger craft and surfing their wake..
The Top Banana at work was talking to his acolytes the other day..Behind him on his Power wall were two images..One of a severely tailored jacket, like his. And the other was of The Rampant Gherkin building in London..Freudian overkill..

keeping a low profile

At the car factory we are obliged to attend meetings..My Friend has taught me his meeting expression.It conveys blankness tinged with disappointed interest..I think I have nearly mastered it, and I use it often now..At yesterdays meeting we were told how we are to work our extra three unpaid hours within a rigid time span..
Some of the permanent staff had a bit of a whinge. I just kept my blank look frozen and gazed between the two gaffers alternately..I kept my neck wound right in..
Next weekend I am headed off for my first wild swim of the year.. Perhaps in Devon..

Picture of us lost near Glen Affrick

Less bucks for my bang

Still banging away at the car factory . But today they have told us that they are cutting our hourly pay rate by ten percent..We were also informed by our local managers that they want us to work faster..On the way to the contractors car park, the Rozzer on the gate searched my bag for the second night running.. I am a little miffed to be honest..And yes, I know that I am one of the lucky ones with a job..
At the moment though I don't feel so lucky.. I only feel venom, and disenchantment..Less than Gruntled..
There is a terrific programme on telly about a fella living up near Applecross.. He is doing up an old bothie. He has bought some Sheep, pigs and some chicken..He has taken a young dog with him and he is very content...
I think that there will be a lot of civil unrest this Summer.. I hope that the youths smash up some posh little villages in the stockbroker belt, instead of their own impoverished back yards..
Back to wild swimming soon..

All together now...!

Busy at work in the car factory..On Friday it snowed ,a bit..So at ten o clock they sent everyone home..This caused immediate gridlock,..People questioned us as they left, " Why are you fellas carrying on working?"..
Well , we have a deadline and more importantly as a contractor I don't get paid for sitting in traffic jams..Some responded that they would rather sit in a traffic jam than sit in "this place"..
This is an attitude that seems to prevail quite strongly..
Them and Us..Masters and Servants..Actors and Technicians...
It seems so out of place in a modern working environment..But it works both ways, some of the top Duces can barely hide their disdain...Not all...
And they want the tax payer to blithely wodge a load of cheap cash their way...
Here are some more Glen Coe images..