6 august 2026

I organised another visually impaired walk. This time starting and finishing in Ilam.

Again I had a few challenges. I planned the route and walked it a couple of weeks in advance. All ok, until 2 days before the walk when I rechecked the route only to find a local farmer had moved some cattle and calves into a field we planned to cross. Didn’t think it was a good idea for a group of visually impaired paired people some with guide dogs crossing such a field…. Needed a plan B.

Also community transport which picked them up, we’re running 30 mins late, but couldn’t delay the pick up. Needed plan C

Despite this we all had a great walk.

5 august 2026

Off to my annual trip to Trent Bridge to watch the cricket 100’s. Always a great if long day out.

Fascinated by the self service beer bars. I think it’s a good idea.

Always atmospheric towards the end of the second game

Thanks to Alex for organising.

2 august 2026

A very nice show in the middle of Ashbourne. A very good selection of cars.

Called in after church. Nice collection

29 July 2026

Off babysitting in Wakefield. Sally looking after our latest addition .

With Cole enjoying a play in the local park.

Just along from their house and park is a little innocuous  garage.

It happened to be open and a man was busy working on his pride and joy. A picture of it in its prime, and the real thing with 4 years of hard work (still a long way to go).

A different league to my tinkering.

 

28 July 2026

Having to wait several months for the wiring looms to arrive, I finally got stuck in rewiring my Land Rover. Never done anything like this before.

Took a long time, with extensive use of a multimeter, manual, and online stuff. Wires carefully labelled.

Really pleased, rewiring done, except for a few things that can be done over the coming weeks/months. Eg no wiring for the tow bar.

Definitely wouldn’t want to do it on a modern car!!

 

18 July 2026

Went to the show for the first time. Nice and friendly show with the usual range of events, cars, tractors etc.

The most unusual thing for me was an undertaker advertising their choice of vehicles. Never seen anything like this before.

Don’t fancy an original mini, feels a bit small.

This one was massive, but didn’t look ‘right’

Bit strange have an EV (Nissan Leaf) with a glass side

Much more me, trailer on the back of a tractor…..

I suppose everyone is different.

16 July 2026

The annual LIV golf event at JCB tends to be a busy time for me.  It’s when a large event arrives at a small village. There are always challenges. A lot of people love the event, and equally a lot of residents wish it would go away. So you will never please everyone.

However thanks to a lot of work by JCB, the parish council, others and myself this years event was probably the best, with very few issues for residents. I am now more knowledgable about road restrictions, parking controls, and portable toilets that I really wanted to be.

The ironic thing is that it’s likely to be the last one. As a result I decided to go to the last day. Pleasant time, but I am afraid I am not a golfer, so it’s unlikely I will go again.

10 July 2026

After Graeme’s funeral we decided to have a few days in north Lincolnshire.

stayed in a little campsite. Bit strange, we were the only people staying…

A downside of Lincolnshire – it’s flat. Walks aren’t as much fun.

Had a trip round Gainsborough, nice NT place.

Finally a trip to Lincoln. I consider this is the best bit of the county, in part because it’s pretty steep walking up the hill.

9 July 2026

A mixed occasion. Very sad to lose Graeme (Sallys uncle) he was a huge character, who I had many chats with. However his farewell was uplifting. He entered the crematorium to the sound of a steam engine climbing. It brought a smile to us all.

Again mixed view, his eulogy had to be cut short, to me this showed what a full life he led.

RIP.

My second funeral in a couple of weeks, not been to one for a number of years.