Monday 26th Yesterday I was quite dreading today coming. Not sure why, but suspect it is just an habit my mind has gotten into, like not looking forward to going back to, school or work after the holidays., It?s something I will have to try and address. Today wasn't too bad actually. Last night I took Peggy to the CN, about 8:30. I only stopped for a quick one, because I ran into Steve [Wright]. He?s so full of pent up aggression it is quite un nerving, although it must be said he's always friendly towards me. He was saying he has gotn?5000 of his inheritance left, thought he would have more than that. He said he'd found his brother who had stolen ?1000 from him, and he'd agreed to pay Steve back ?20 a week, but then he went onto say he'd 'put the windows in' at the place he was staying at. He also said he intended to go to Australia later this year to she his fourteen year old daughter, whom he had recently sent ?1000 to. He said he didn't intend buying his flat, which he could have for ?15000, but he was going to get his brothers name put on the rent book, so he could retain the option to buy in the future. I got the impression he had intended going out with a group of 'thugs' in the pub to re visit his brother's residence, but was going of the idea because he knew he'd been drinking - all together it was, as usual, quite difficult to understand quite what he was saying! I don't think I will be going to the CN on a Sunday evening again, used to be nice and quiet, but not a very nice place at the moment. Rib Botteril was also in, but was deep in a conversation and didn't seem to notice me. The 07:00 job I had from the Royal was cancelled Sunday afternoon, however I did go to Birmingham to collect twenty four bundles of the Bug Issue, to bring back to Pocklingtons Walk. I arrived about 10:10 to find several sellers waiting for me in the street, think they were obviously keen to hit the streets selling. I don't know why, but I felt absolutely tired out all day, despite the fact that I'd just had three nights sleep! I managed to get another three or more hours in this evening, so I?m not to, bad now. Yesterday Lance Armstrong won his sixth consecutive Tour de France, title. It was a regret I wasn't able to see any of the race live this year. I must admit I thought there was another week to go, the weeks are flying by. I am feeling pleased I bought the 3G card, for ?5 a week I think it will be good value, and very useful. On Saturday I managed to download two, timer programs to the PDA, only thing is that they expire after twenty days unless I can come up with a way to pay for them. Only options I can think of are seeing if I can use either Freda's or Steph's Visa card. I might be able to download them every twenty days, which wouldn't be too much of a hardship. I also managed to change the delivery address for my Keys and Triads mail to my Yahoo account. Means I have to manually copy the mails I want on the PDA, but I am fed up of having to log into my POP 3 NTL account to download hundreds of junk e-mails so that the box doesn't fill up. Maybe it will be best to just let it fill up and leave it like that? I don't use it at the moment, but I could still get something important from say Niggel or Stewart, guess will just have to get round to informing them to use my Yahoo address. I've also set up a sync to my Orange site. Would like to keep As much info on the web as possible, so that I don't loose things if the lap top goes down, or when I buy a new one.
Saw Freda just before ten tonight, said she had a great time at the Gay bar Saturday, said the BBC were filming there, no doubt I will hear more over the next few days.
Forgot to note earlier that the Guy being hunted by Humberside Police, Mark Hobson, in connection with four murders was arrested Sunday afternoon about three pm, near the village of Skipton on the A19. He's bee in hospital since suffering from dehydration. He was missing for a week.
Today England won the first test against the West Indies.
The weather is due to change to hot and sunny, at least for a few days!
Bawa is on shift tonight and tomorrow, we were supposed to have training on Wonderware tonight, [line 1 front screen was installed at the weekend] but it crashed just before shift start! Bawa has just told me that line 5 is off tomorrow for the rest of the week, and he say's line 1 is due to go off Thursday morning.
The main news story on Monday was that the government is to distribute a booklet to every household giving advice on what to do in an emergency, like a terrorist attack! sounds pretty bland.
Seems that Monday evening Google uk and some other sites were hit by a my doom type virus for several hours, interesting to note that fake e-mails have been sent out purporting to come from one's ISP, saying one's e-mail address has been used to send false mails -- I suspect I may have received one last week, another reason to abandon my NTL address, at least for the time being.
Oh yes, just for the record, the Aussie character, Cameron, left The Bill in last Thursday?s episode.
05:15 - Just heard from Geoff Marsden that Greg has been offered a day job running the new snacks line, so it looks like he will be won't be going to Cadbury's after all. Geoff confirmed that line five will be off at 22:00 Tuesday for the remainder of the week; Satnam is to do the boil out.
I'm feeling ok now, not that tired at all, would just like to get a couple of hours sleep before I start today, but even if I had nothing to do all day, I know I wouldn't be able to sleep any longer than that.
Ian went to a round table meeting at 05:00 with Mark Grove. I haven't seen a single manager all shift!
Tuesday 27th Roadrunners called me about 8:50 with a Bone Bank job to Northampton, I subsequently handed this over at Meridian, and picked up another job from Bardon to Encore on Northampton. I had just pasted J20 when I was turned back to pick up from Wigston, to go to British Airways near Heathrow terminal four, so I?ve been quite busy today. Peggy didn't look too happy at times but I managed to let her have a bit of a run in a field near Newport Pagnel. Just before I got back, I was given two Odd Bins jobs, one to a bridal shop on Granby St, and one to the Wy Bar on Queens Road. I finished about 16:50, but RR still tried to give me another job at 17:20, which I turned down saying I had to go into Walker's. Unfortunately they gave me a job in the morning, picking up from the Anodising Company in Wigston at 07:30. It's a bit early for me, but I think I?ll tell them I have to go into Walker's at six, to ensure I get a few hours sleep. Clive seems to be on the phone quite a bit the past few days. Whilst I was waiting at Heathrow I tried the 3G connection, apart from the three minutes or so it takes to establish, it worked fine, logged onto the RR site and sent a job confirmation e-mail, as an experiment, seemed to send ok. The main problem is being able to see the lap top screen clearly in the day light; I had to sit in the back of the van, ok there. Have to book mark some useful travel info traffic sites.
Tonight I?ve been doing some Wonderware training with Geoff. Bawa is on night's covering again. It's now - 02:24 - I feel a bit tired, but not so that I feel I could easily get to sleep. At least it's now Wednesday, looking forward to the weekend again! - terrible really - almost wishing my life away, when in fact the working week, on the whole really isn't that bad, not as daunting as it feels on a Sunday evening! I think that's just a bad habit of the mind, something I can work at changing.
The main news on Tuesday was dominated by the murder conviction of a school lad for the murder of another teenager at their school last November. I remember the incident well. The sentence was life with a recommendation of a twelve year minimum sentence. Sounds like he was just a thug and a bully, a great shame Story - The Times;- Popular, bright, and murdered by a bully By Steve Bird THE last time Jayne Walmsley saw her rugby-mad son Luke was when she dropped him at the school bus stop on November 4 last year. Mrs Walmsley, 41, was worried that Luke, 14, was being bullied and wanted to telephone his headteacher to discuss the problem. Luke told his mother to ?stop fussing?. Yesterday Mrs Walmsley was in tears as the boy who killed her son just hours after that final conversation was convicted of murder. The boy, who had brought a flick-knife to school with the intention of attacking Luke, stabbed him through the heart in the corridors of Birkbeck Secondary School, North Somercotes, Lincolnshire. As Mrs Walmsley and her former husband Paul Walmsley, 39, wept their son?s killer stood in the dock, staring at his feet. What had unfolded during his two-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court was a story of two teenage boys, from the same area, attending the same school, but following starkly different paths in life. Luke was tall for his age, excelled at every sport he tried and was popular with his peers. His attacker was a slightly built misfit with a reputation as a bully, a taste for violent videos and a habit of carrying a knife. The two boys became involved in a feud but no one expected that it would end in murder. Mrs Walmsley is expected to make a statement today after Mr Justice Goldring, the trial judge, sentences Luke?s killer and decides if legal restrictions on revealing his identity are to be lifted. Gary Loveridge, Birkbeck?s headteacher, said the lives of everyone at the school had been touched by Luke?s death. Lincolnshire County Council, the local education authority, announced an independent inquiry into Luke?s death which will examine safety and security at the school.
.Tuesday also saw the second day of the Democratic Convention, and the first day of Glorious Goodwood.
Spoke to the day shift electrician Charlie, last night. Seems he's one of about four or five under investigation for not -locking off'. I heard one guy from Leycroft was sacked last week for the same thing. Charlie said others have received warnings of varying degrees. His investigation is due Wednesday at 14:00. Hope nothing to severe happens to him.
Its 05:39, not feeling too bad, had a half hours sleep in the canteen. I will miss my first sleep though, helps me to wind down, and to switch over.
Wednesday 28th A longer day than I would have liked. RR pick up in Wigston at 07:30, had half an hours sleep in the van prior. Mid morning managed to get about an hours sleep, was then on the go until 18:40, despite telling RR I had to be at Walkers at six, earlier told Dean I had worked from six previous night until four o'clock this morning, he didn't seem bothered. So I guess I got another couple of hours this evening, giving me a total of three and half hours. Although I?m 'buzzing' a little, I don't
actually feel too bad. Will probably leave a message in the morning saying I won't be available until ten, and have to be in Walker's tomorrow, should be ok then. It's days like this that make me dread the week starting I think, fortunately it doesn't usually get this bad, but I guess the fear seems to suggest otherwise. Been quite a nice summers day, but the past week or so, I feel I can 'feel' autumn is on its way. Strange for July, but I?m sure I?m right. The berries are starting to form, but it's more than that, I sensed it when I went on my canal walk last Saturday. The country side has a green and fawn look about it, due mainly to the Wheat fields ripening. All the bright, almost too bright yellow of the Rape crop has now gone. I'm quite looking forward to the new season, although I?m not looking forward to the winter with the dark nights and short, grey days. I guess I would feel that nine months of the year are pretty good, and to an extent Christmas break up the winter, although I don't like to get too involved in it, and there is something appealing about the dark nights, at least for a short period of time. The lack of greenery in nature does indeed though add to a sense of loss, of something missing, a longing for its return as soon as possible.
Starting to think about what I can do at the weekend. The weather forecast is good, but I really should get down to revising for the Optimisation assessment, which would mean me staying at home, and I am taking Arthur to Blackpool next weekend.
Tonight there is only fryers one and four running, and I think one is due off tomorrow [Thursday] Battu is on training with Geoff, DP is still on holiday, so Kevin is relieving Satnam and me for breaks. Means I only get a half hour break after every hour! [23:00 - 05:00] Received I text message from Freda this morning, asking my input on something, but I haven't had time to read it properly yet. Just had my wage slip, clocked in about 4 minutes late one day last week, so lost 15 minutes pay. 37.75 hours @ 8.73 - ?329.56 / Net - ?249.77 / week 17 / Gross to date: ?6880.56 One striking thing I?ve noticed this week, and that is how little traffic there is around town, compared to normal, there must be a lot of people on holiday. Here is an interesting piece from today?s Guardian - Clare Dyer, legal correspondent Wednesday July 28, 2004 The Guardian What was it about John Dyson that inspired his fellow jurors to choose him as their foreman at a London crown court earlier this month? Was it his clean-cut image? Or was it his natural air of authority? None of the other 11 had any idea of his standing or title. They were unaware that in his day job he is known as Lord Justice Dyson and sits as a senior judge in the court of appeal. Nor did they know that he is the first judge to sit on a jury. Such is the power of English deference, perhaps, that in ignorance they turned to him anyway to represent them. And then they all, Lord Justice Dyson included, acquitted the accused. The idea of a judge serving on a jury was, until recently, seen as ridiculous. It was thought that their inside knowledge of the system would clash with the principle that a defendant must be tried by a jury of his peers. Lawyers, too, were barred, for the same reason. But that was before the government decided to change the law to tackle the "middle class opt-out" from jury service. Not only did a whole raft of professions previously excluded - judges, lawyers, police and others connected with the justice system - become eligible to serve, but it became much harder to escape jury duty by pleading professional or other commitments. Four judges have been summoned for jury duty since May, when the new law came into force, although Lord Justice Dyson had to opt out of a second case because he knew the trial judge. In another case, barrister Andrew Prynne was discharged from a murder jury at the Old Bailey last month after a judge said his knowledge of court procedure would allow him to understand legal matters that other jurors might miss. Judge George Bathurst-Norman said he did not know how the legislation was expected to work, adding: "At the end of the day, I have to ensure a fair trial."
02:38 - Just completed a draft plan for the coming weekend. Will stay at home, but hope to pull in a decent walk on Saturday, including a trip to Victoria Park, and on Sunday morning I?ll try and fit in a visit to mothers.
I was going to call RR shortly to say I was just leaving Walker's and to, ask them not to call me until ten o'clock, but I?m not feeling all that tired, so I?m tempted to take my chances without calling them, will tell them I?m definitely not available after six tonight though.
04:05 - Got my second or is it third wind? Considering the long days I?ve had this week, I?m feel fully awake and attentive. Still be pleased when it's the weekend though.
Thursday 29th 22:39 - L1 Plate Stand - Don't know how long I can keep this up? Feeling quite exhausted, had first call just before nine, to the Bone Bank, this was shortly cancelled and replaced by a HSBC job to Boorham Wood. A nice area, plenty of horse riders on the country roads. Found a nice footpath for Peggy to have a run along. During the day I felt fine, very little tiredness, no more than if I?d slept eight hours when I received the first call I was already awake - guess I had completed a sleep cycle. Had about 45 minutes sleep when I got back, but then spent the remainder of the afternoon working, not getting back until about 17:45. Had something to eat and slept for about two and a half hours, so I must have had a total of about 4.5 hours. Unfortunately I have been given a job from the Anodising Company at 07:30 in the morning. This must be one of my busiest weeks, not sure why? Is RR short of drivers? Or do they have some on holiday? If I asked I?m not sure I would get a straight answer. At one time when I was on the phone to the office I could hear - Sarah? - saying to someone that they can only give then jobs when they came in, and that she would ask Clive to give him more big van jobs, she may have been taking to Phil? When they cancelled the Bone Bank job I could also hear --Sarah? -telling another driver off, saying he had to get to the jobs on time, and that he had until 09:30 to get to Glenfield Hospital - have no idea who that was. I think it is when I feel like this that causes me to, hate Sunday afternoons with the fast approaching Monday morning! One good thing today was my final job was an Odd Bins job to the Windmill pub / restaurant at Bradcote, very nice place, would like to return one day for a meal, possibly Sunday lunch, may be some good walks nearby to. Only fryers 1 & 4 running tonight and I think line one is due off at 06:00 for the remainder of the week. Breaks are same as last night, Kevin relieving for thirty minutes after every hour - 23:00 - 05:00. I'm taking last break; Satnam is on training with Geoff. It's quite unpleasant at the moment - very humid and sticky - looks like a good weekend is forecast; sill can't see me getting away though. I heard that Pete Horne should be back from sick leave tonight, doing four hours of 'light duties'.
I think it may be interesting to set up a spreadsheet to see actually what hours I work and just how much sleep I do get. 23:32 - think I?m waking up a bit more. Ian just confirmed Pete is back, apparently it's raining now, no wonder it feels so 'close'. I have a feeling the next 4 - 5 weeks will be quite good on the weather front, just my 'gut' feeling.
I thought I had worked a lot of hours last week, but when my statement arrived today, I had only learnt ?185.Just checked the spreadsheet, wasn't that busy last week, a lot of low value, short runs inc the 40 cases from Odd Bins! A good week is if a driver earns over ?300, which is probably only worth half that when experiences and running costs are taken into consideration. When I?ve cleared my debt, even if only on paper I will feel a lot better. A release from the bonds that bind and in many ways control me. If all goes well, this time next year I should be in a much better position.
David Soul was on the Simon Mayo programme this afternoon. He's in the stage show, Jerry Springer, the opera, until at least November. He said he was thinking about becoming a British Citizen, having lived here for so long.
00:34 - Just returned from a break, main story in the Guardian is about the MOD purchasing large quantities of a drug to keep personal awake for up to eighty hours.
Christine said Eric has been in again doing some training; he's due back by November.
01:17 - Feeling wide awake and ok. Line now due off at 04:00. 02:20 - Battu told me he's going on the sick next week, probably from Tuesday, has to go in hospital for another small procedure on his ear.
02:43 - Feeling wide awake and ok. Saw Joshi on last break, asked me to vote for two Leycroft guys in the Pension ballot, will put it on my list of things to complete at the weekend. Joshi is on his third night.
Some new wire cages have been placed in the canteen to put bags in, mine is too big to fit!
Friday 30th 17:20 - Beginning to suffer now. Left for first courier job this morning at 06:45 - had a sleep for about 45 minutes late morning plus about 25 minutes in a lay by, and apart from that I?ve been on the go all day. I find it difficult to calculate how many hours I have worked since Monday, 70 - 80 - 90? I'm on line four tonight, Battu is on the flavour, he said the Man tech?s will relieve me for breaks. Freda said she's on the back end, so I asked Bupesh, he agreed. Don't know how long I will get. Freda just came up, said she's going for a drink now, cos she hasn't had one. Can't take her on much - to tired to engage in her diatribe of what's been going on in her head the past few days. If I don't ask her what she has been up to, she will normally not say much, and then go off and avoid me. Told her many times she?s a selfish cow!
Battu told me that DP is at the A&E with an injured arm, so it looks like he will be on the sick next week along with Battu.
It's been a glorious summer?s day, and the forecast is for it to continue until at least next Thursday. I don't know how much I have earnt this week at RR, but I hope it's over ?300 considering the hours I have put in. I am already dreading next week, never mind waiting till Sunday to feel it! I am looking forward to tomorrow though; hope I can get up fairly early, around nine ish? I won't go away, despite the weather, must revise the Optimisation info.
With regard to a holiday I think, I will take the last week in August off.
18:42 - Just returned from a break , no sign of Freda, sure she's not busy, probably senses I?m not in a mood to entertain her, so has gone off looking for it elsewhere. She'll pop up, no doubt before the end of the shift. Received a text message from her Wednesday, didn't take a lot of notice, something about, should she have her coil, taken out since she might want to become pregnant - can't be bothered with those silly discussions at the moment.
Was dozing in the canteen just before eight, Freda woke me up, but when I wasn't very responsive she decided to and sit with someone else. She seemed to be waiting for me to take the lead in the conversation, haven't got the energy at the moment.
The line should be run out by 20:45, just have too taken the oil out and drop the waters etc. 20:32 - slicer hopper low alarm. Why am I writing all this trivia? Will I ever read it from some future time?
Sunoday 1st August ? 16:10 Feeling frustrated ? Word application is playing up ? asking me to put in the student disk again ? which I can?t find!!!! Pissed off with Charlie last night, left me a message Friday night saying he?d like me to take the lap top in to the Westcotes Saturday so I could book his next flight. When he arrived he said he?d asked someone else to do it because I couldn?t print him out the details straight away. Anyway the guy he?d asked never turned up, so he will be panicking again!
Arthur was in last night ? had a good chat ? taking him to Blackpool next weekend. Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk along the canal near Aylestone. Didn?t go as far as last week, just didn?t have the energy, and it was very warm, so had a lie down on the grass for half an hour.
Did a couple of hours yesterday taking notes from the Tool guide re information I?ll need for my assessment, just did another couple of hours, but it?s hard going, can?t see me getting any more done today and I still reckon it will take me a further six hours to complete it ? then I have to learn it! ? don?t know when I will get to look at it again now ? maybe next Sunday afternoon when I return from Blackpool?
Sod it ? going to post this now, then finish the excel work / sleep log, nip to Tesco?s ? why? Can?t remember! And was then thinking of calling up mothers or will I go for a walk? Not sure what I want to do, and the weekend is nearly over ? think I should book that holiday I have been thinking about ? maybe the last week in August?
2004-08-08 19:36:17 (GMT)
Past Week
Monday 2nd August 23:17 - Line one plate stand. DP is off sick, think he's injured his arm; Pete Horne is relieving me for breaks. I think Greg is off till Wednesday.
Only did two courier jobs today, one from Wigston to Syston, which took mw two hours and a couple of Odd Bins jobs this afternoon. RR - poss Sarah -,called about 17:20 with another job, but I told her I was just going to bed after working at Walkers last night - a white lie - don't like doing it, but difficult not to at the moment. Dropped the print out of Charlie's flight details at lunch time in the Crows Nest. Had a couple of Cokes with Barry.
A lot in the news today again about the FA and Erickson, think he will survive, but other heads have started to roll!
This morning saw Victoria Derbyshire taking over the radio five phone in program. I had read some months ago she would be taking up the position when she returned from maternity leave, although I think she has been doing a Saturday morning program for some weeks now. Nicki Campbell seems to be on holiday, he usually has August off, but I guess he will be required for the Olympics in a couple of weeks.
Also in the news, the main headline tonight is the increase level of security at key financial areas in the US following the discovery of terrorist plans for another attack. The UK was also mentioned.
Sion Jenkins who won his appeal against his murder conviction last month, was released from prison tonight on conditional bail, pending his re trial. Have little doubt he will eventually be found not guilty, but I've always suspected he has a violent temper at times, which he may have difficulty controlling.
I put together a spreadsheet at the weekend so I can keep track of just how many hours I work and actually how much sleep I get. Will be interesting to monitor.
05:49 - Not long left - be glad to finish here today. Wednesday tomorrow - soon be the weekend!
Tuesday 3rd August Managed to get about three hours sleep this morning before RR called at about 10:20, with a job to Lichfield. Went via M69 / M6, should have listened to the GPS and gone M1 / M 45. Just as I was nearing Tudor Road at about 13:40, they called with a job to Weedon Green?, Bucks. Picking up from 48 Cank Street. Took a couple of envelopes to a greeting card producer, very big place, which I have been to once before. Went via M1 / M25 / M40. As I neared the end of the M1 I encountered some of the worst weather I have come across in years. Tremendous down falls of rain, with sheet lightening flashing through the grey, ledden clouds. At one point on the M40 I had my foot right down, and was only doing 50 mph, due to the water resistance slowing me down. At times the road markings just disappeared. When I came off the motorway the side roads were often flooded with several inches of water, as cars went through them the water splashed to heights of more than six feet, to the detriment of many a pedestrian. I was quite fortunate in that on the whole I managed to keep moving. Radio 5 were reporting many delays on the motorways near by, much of the rail and tube network came to a halt, and flights into Heathrow were being diverted to Gatwick and Stansted. I came back via the M40, taking the turning to Northampton / Silverstone, to re join the M1. There were reports that the M1 was closed near to junction 19, due to flooding, but when I arrived it was open, although slow in places. I arrived home at 19:00 precisely. Today was the first time I?ve used the stop watch function to see just how long I do the courier work, think today was 8hrs 38min. There was a light knock on the door about 19:15, I didn't answer it, thought it might be Dave from no 13, but he usually puts a note through, and he didn't come out when I took Peggy out about 21:25, so maybe it was someone else? Fortunately I had, unusually, decided to let Peggy stay at home for this trip. A fortuitous move, for she would surely have been most distressed if she had gone along. I managed to get a further 90 minutes sleep, which gave me a total of around four and a half hours for the day, nit bad, although I do feel a bit tired now, and I have a doctor?s appointment at eight in the morning, which may restrict my sleep. I've told RR I won't be available until 09:30 - 10:00. Nick, the other self employed courier at RR called me about 13:45, to see if I'd had many jobs this week, I said no, but sounded like he had received fewer jobs than I. He said he was going to give some computer companies, such as Dell a call. He said they paid really well, but if they said two vans were required, he asked if I would be interested. I off course said I would, and suggested we get together sometime for a drink so that we could discuss things further. Will make a point of following this up.
Its 22:51 - on line one plate stand, it's so hot and close in here. I assume a Mantech will be taking me off fir my breaks again. Battu didn't seem, very happy yesterday, got the impression he wanted to come on line one to get away from Brian Payne, but he gave me the choice so I stayed on one!
Jane Garvy seems to be on holiday this week, Juliet Morris is covering. Think, I heard Peter Allan say she's going to the Olympics. Simon Mayo is also off, so I guess he may be going too., that?s at least three main radio five presenters if at the moment, including Nicki Campbell. Some of the sports reporters like David Crof have already started reporting from Greece. The news from there today was off a Mexican film crew being arrested at the weekend and being threatened with an unspecified sex act by the police. They say a senior official intervened saying 'we don't do that kind of thing here''. I bet they don't !
I think Greg is back from his holiday tomorrow, hope to avoid him if possible, don't want to do the Optimisation assessment for another few weeks at least. Pete Horne told me yesterday that Greg was leaving in October to go to Cadbury's.
Sion Jenkins gave some interviews today from the Welsh village he is staying at. This despite a statement yesterday on his behalf saying no further statement would be issued, but maybe he did a deal to get the press off his back. He said he would not be staying behind closed doors until his re trial early next year
00:35 - just returned from first break [30mins], Kevin took me off, looks like he's to relieve Satnam also - Battu is doing the boil out on line four, so I should get the next one at 01:30.
Not looking forward to the doctors in the morning, missing out on valuable sleep time, may call RR later to remind them I won't be available until about ten. Mind you, from what Nick was saying, RR business is quite slow, I may have been busy last week due to a driver being on holiday?
Must get some fresh air from the back -,stifling here!
04:20 - Could hardly keep my eyes open the past few hours, but I had a nap in the canteen for about 15 minutes and a coffee and I'm beginning to wake up. I may get about forty minutes sleep before I go to the doc's.
One thing I must do before Saturday is vacuum and clean the inside of the van ready for Arthur - have no idea at the moment when I will fit that in!
Wednesday 4th August 2004 Managed to get about 25 minutes sleep before going to doc's at eight. Blood pressure was up, but he decided to take my word that recently it had been ok. He said -'we need to get it down, there's a lot of stress out there'. He was right about that! Managed to get a further couple of hours sleep before RR called me just before eleven. I was pretty much wide awake by then and couldn't sleep any more. I had a very disturbing dream in which I was driving the van and had a relatively minor crash, which was my fault, into a bus, with a taxi also colliding with me. It was very vivid and scary! Having thought about it I wonder if it is a warning for me to get my tax bill sorted out, maybe the bus represented the authority? Gave me food for thought. First RR job was the Flow Gas from Merry Lees, followed by a KPMG job to Lymmington near Upingham. A beautiful village set in a valley. If I won the lottery I would consider moving there, although I have never seen a house for sale. In the way out there I called in at the chip shop on Thurncourt Road and shared some fish and chips with Peggy. A typical local community council estate, quite a pleasant atmosphere, business seemed fairly brisk. I shouldn't have had the chips, but I don't indulge that often of late. Came back passing the village of Wing, where Jo recommended a camp site. Today has been a nice warm sunny day, I still get the feeling of autumn, or maybe more accurately, late summer. The countryside looks wonderful, slightly hazy, with green and beige dominant, now that the seemingly false colours of the Rape seed has gone.
I had another sleep this afternoon before RR called to ask if I was free to do the blood run to Sheffield tonight? I said I would be tied up 'baby sitting'. They called again after six, but I ignored that one and managed to get back to sleep, before getting up early just after eight. I don't think I could have slept any longer today if I hadn't worked. I logged 3.98 hours sleeping and 3.25 hours working. There was again a knock at the door about 16:30 ish, similar to yesterday, only louder. Woke me up, I didn't answer it, thought it might be a neighbour, but later wondered if it might have been Steph?
I was up not long after eight, gave me time to log on and do a sync, and also managed to fill up with diesel, to save me some time in the morning. Feeling quite at ease, unlike this morning after the dream!
Battu told me this morning that DP has broken a bone in his hand and that he was due to have an operation this morning. He could be off for six - eight weeks, may know more later.
Greg is back tonight! Saw him about 22:30, he said he'd had to cancel going away because hiss child minder had walked out on him two days before he was due to go away, she'd only been working for him for a couple of weeks!, she'd said she couldn't cope with the hours -,8 - 6.
Today marks the 90th anniversary of the start of The Great War. It was marked by a ceremony at the Cenotaph at 11am - BBC report;- Wed, 4 August, 2004, 17:57 GMT 18:57 UK
Veterans mark UK entry into WWI Four World War I veterans have laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in London to mark the 90th anniversary of Britain's declaration of war on Germany in 1914. The men - all aged over 100 - also read poems and prayers at the ceremony. They were accompanied by deputy prime minister John Prescott, veterans minister Ivor Caplin and Commonwealth high commissioners to London. Mr Prescott and Mr Caplin also laid wreaths on behalf of the Queen, the government and the Commonwealth. Veterans Henry Allingham, 108, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, William Stone, 103, from Watlington, Oxfordshire, John Oborne, 104, from Porthcawl, Bridgend, and Fred Lloyd, 106, from Uckfield, East Sussex took part in the ceremony. The service started at 1100 BST, when Mr Allingham, Mr Oborne and Mr Lloyd were escorted in their wheelchairs from the Foreign Office to the Cenotaph by serving members of the Armed Forces. Mr Stone walked behind his colleagues, as hundreds of people looked on. Following the lament of the Last Post and a minute's silence, the four men laid wreaths for those slain between 1914 and 1918. Mr Allingham, Britain's oldest known surviving World War I veteran, struggled free of his wheelchair and bent down in front of the Cenotaph unaided to lay his wreath. Mr Stone led the service by delivering the exhortation before Mr Allingham and Mr Oborne read the Lord's Prayer. Mr Lloyd recited John McCrae's haunting 1915 poem In Flanders Field. After the ceremony, the men received veteran's badges at the Ministry of Defence. Tribute Dennis Goodwin, secretary of the World War One Veterans' Association, paid tribute to the veterans. "These are very brave men, as witnessed by the fact that they made this journey to London today to stand in front of the country's, the Queen's monument to our glorious dead," he said. "They are here to remember their survival and to pay homage to those who were less fortunate than they." Mr Lloyd, who lost both his brothers between 1914 and 1918, said: "War is not a wonderful thing to be remembered, but those who died must never be forgotten." Other guests at the Cenotaph service included Lord Kitchener, a great nephew of Kitchener, the head of the war ministry who rallied an army of a million men with his war-call "Britain needs you". Germany declared war on France on 3 August, 1914, and Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August. Some 900,000 soldiers from across the British empire died in action in the conflict, and more than two million were wounded.
------------------------------------------- This ceremony dies not seem to have been widely publicised, I heard reports of many tourists coming across the event in their wanderings.
Dave is on shift tonight, think it's his first shift.
Battu has told me that DP is home after his operation, and could be off for 6 - 8 weeks. He also said his own ear operation which was scheduled for next week, has been postponed until November 18th?
In the Mercury today, details are shown of the new flight path into East Midlands, due to take effect in the autumn. The in bound path goes over Thunby and Scraptoft, whilst the out bound path goes over East Goscote. Unless one is sitting outside on a quite summer?s day, I can't see the noise being a problem, although many are complaining.
Also in the Mercury is the account of the ongoing trial of a Birstal man who murdered the man who was found dead last November near Raw Dykes road. I remember well the road being sealed off when I went to deliver my RR invoices, ended up going to the B@Q car park. Seems the accused was having a relationship with a woman who runs one of the local pubs. She ended it, and the guy flipped and took it out on the first unfortunate soul he came across.
There is a courier job advertised in today?s Mercury, ?200 -?300 per week. It has a 0845 number, and says interviews will be held in Nottingham, I have a strong feeling it is Roadrunners! Will check out the number. If it is it would explain why I have been quite busy of late. Can't see them having enough work to expand, but they may well have lost a driver - again! If it is RR then I can expect my work load too drop off in a few weeks time, will have to make an effort to make further contact with Nick. The courier no is;0845 2302456
02:00 - Just returned from second break, Kevin said I won't get another until 04:15. There's only lines one and five running, Battu is doing the wash units on four, ready to bring it back in at 06:00.
The trial is going on in New York into the crash of the Statin Island Ferry last year. I remember seeing it on the news. Reoort;- . Updated 08/04/2004 01:32 PMNYC ferry assistant captain pleads guilty to manslaughter, lying NEW YORK (AP) ? A Staten Island Ferry pilot pleaded guilty Wednesday to manslaughter in the crash that killed 11 commuters last October, acknowledging that he passed out at the ship's controls after arriving at work with medication in his system. A higher-up in the ferry operation also was charged with manslaughter.
"I was not in proper physical condition to safely operate the Staten Island Ferry," Richard Smith said at his Brooklyn federal court hearing, entering his plea under an agreement reached with prosecutors. "I lost consciousness and was not in control of the ferry when it crashed. "My conduct was reckless," said Smith, acknowledging that his inattention to duty caused the deaths and dozens of injuries. The ferry, the Andrew J. Barberi, crashed as it was docking on a run from Manhattan, tearing a 250-foot-long gash that ran 8 feet deep into its hull. A federal indictment returned Wednesday also accused director of ferry operations Patrick Ryan with 11 counts of manslaughter, along with obstruction of justice and lying to the Coast Guard after the crash. Ryan was cited for his alleged failure to provide the ferry's captains and assistant captains with the proper procedures for operating the crafts, and for subsequently claiming he had done so. Ferry Capt. Michael Gansas was charged with making a false statement to the Coast Guard, while the same indictment charged port captain John Mauldin with obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to the National Transportation Safety Board. Gansas violated procedure by his absence from the wheelhouse during docking, when Smith, the assistant captain who was piloting the ferry, lost control. The indictment said Gansas falsely told investigators that he was on the scene in the wheelhouse. Gansas initially refused to cooperate with the investigation, saying he was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, and was fired. He ended up meeting with federal prosecutors in January. Smith admitted that he had taken Tramadol, a back pain drug, and Tylenol PM ? two drugs with side effects that can include drowsiness. The two were among five drugs he was taking for conditions including high blood pressure in the month before the accident; both were in his system at the time of the crash. "You were negligent in the same way, for example, that someone who drives a car while intoxicated is negligent," U.S. District Court Judge Edward Korman told him in accepting the plea. Smith fled after the wreck and tried to commit suicide, slashing his wrists and shooting himself with a pellet gun. The manslaughter counts are part of a separate federal code dealing with maritime law. Smith could face up to 10 years in prison on each count, although his plea agreement was expected to provide him with a more lenient sentence. Smith also acknowledged that he lied about his medical history to the Coast Guard when applying for a pilot's license three years before the crash. That charge could carry up to five years behind bars. Smith, 55, appearing haggard and drawn, said he didn't acknowledge his high blood pressure and use of prescription drugs because he was afraid of losing his job. "I didn't want the Coast Guard to know, your honor," said Smith, who is currently under psychiatric care and taking anti-depression medication. The guilty plea followed a 10-month investigation into the Staten Island ferry crash, when a routine trip across New York Harbor turned into nightmare of shattered glass and twisted metal as the boat slammed into a concrete maintenance pier on Staten Island. The crash revealed serious problems with safety rules on the ferries. Insiders leveled allegations of problems ranging from overtime abuse and on-duty crew card games to unheeded safety warnings and retaliatory beatings. Since then, the city has revamped its procedures, and it now requires crew members to report to their stations as their ferry nears shore and alert supervisors by radio that they are in position. Three crew members instead of two are required to be in the wheelhouse. A woman who was injured settled with the city last month for $1.125 million, the largest deal reached so far. Laura Diaz, 41, who was on her way home from work as a court clerk, fractured her femur and pelvis and has yet to return to her job. The settlement was the 33rd reached with the city in connection to the crash. The other 32 had totaled around $600,000. There are dozens of other suits outstanding. The city ferry fleet shuttles about 70,000 people a day between Staten Island and Manhattan, a 5.2-mile trip that takes about 25 minutes. Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Friday 6th August
Didn't have time to write last night, was doing line 1 wash tanks and relieving Battu for breaks on line five - Satnam was on training with Geoff.
Been busy today since about 10:15. In fact was late here tonight, clocked in at 17:33, called in and told Christine I was delayed on the M1 -,actually got delayed going north on the M1 going to Nottingham earlier. Battu is off tonight so just Satnam and me here. Only line five fryer running - feeding line four only.
Had made my mind up not to stop at Blackpool camping this weekend, but my mind is currently going the other sway again, so I might well stop, and return Sunday morning. I should do some more revision for the Optimisation assessment, Greg saw me last night saying he wanted to get it started as soon as possible. I told him I needed more time.
Thursday night I booked a week?s holiday at the end of August and another week plus a floating day at Christmas.
20:53 - L 5 platform - forgot to bring my POD slips for today, so will have to complete them when I get home, will add to my working time later. Have to be up by 7:50 in ire order to pick Arthur up an hour later. I managed to vacuum the front Thursday evening before I finished, so at least I don't have that to do in the morning. What shall I charge him?, told him a few weeks ago I would drop thee price now I was using the van - thinking of ?50 from ?85,but will have to work out the cost.
Sunday 8th 19:35 ? In Westcotes ? only Terry in. Yesterday took Arthur to Blackpool, left his house about 09:10 ? arrived at Balackpool about 11:35. After I dropped him off I went to a tourist information shop and obtained a list of local camp sites- I reckon I had seen them all on the net last week.
I decide to head south and see what presented it self. After clearing the Golden Mile, and the roller coasters, I saw a sandy dune area whilst waiting at some traffic lights. I decided to check it out, and pulled onto the adjacent car park ? some kind motorist offered me his parking ticket, which still had over an hour to go. So I stuck it on the window and set off with Peggy to the beach.
I was pleasantly surprised on my discovery. A large beach, the tide was out, quite a lot of people were there but it was ny no means crowded. I really felt exhausted ? may have been the hot sunny day or the week catching up with me. After a walk to the sea, we headed back to the dunes at the top of the beach, where I settled down for a snooze I in the sun. left Peggy to her own devices, just checking on her occasionally. It was a joy to see her, she went quite a way, but didn?t cause any problems, saw her playing with some kiddies, other dogs, generally having a good time, and would then return near to me to have a lie down. One time I saw her pawing a depression in a shaded area to make herself comfortable.
I was enjoying just chilling out so much, I went and bought an extension to the car park, gave Peggy some water, bought an ice cream and a Coke, and returned to the beach for another snooze.
Eventually we left about 03:55, and continued south passing through St Annes and Preston. I passed one sign to a camp site, but continued on. By this time I?d pretty much made up my mind to head back home. Which is what we did- arriving about 19:00. We then spent the night in the Wescotes as ?usual?. This turned out to be one of the nicest days of the year ? marvellous.
Today I was late up ? still very warm and muggy although a bought of rain is forecast tomorrow. I eventually got up about 12:20 after watching some tv for about an hour. Went shopping at Hamilton and went round to see mother. She was out at a barbeque a couple of doors down, so I saw Dave for about twenty minutes and left to drive to a car park off Alyestone Road ? near the canal, where I had another lye down in the shade, before going home about 16:30. Again I couldn?t face a long walk, think it?s the weather!
2004-08-15 19:46:55 (GMT)
Past Week
Diary Notes
Monday 9th August I forgot to mention, last Friday I received a letter from Collonade with a cheque. I assume this is for the house insurance I hsd problems with. So I'm still not insured, but at least I don't have them calling me every few days.
Jo Mondays the corner caf頯n Tudor Road, has this week started opening as an Indian take away - Jo Currys - think it starts tomorrow .
Had quite a good sleep, eventually, the heat kept waking me up at times. Received my first RR job about 10:15 - a couple of local jobs. One was a Benchmark job to Thales Defense - saw Doo in the office, but he didn't seen to notice me - not sure if he did ir not. I met Barry and Charlie in the CN about 12:30 - got another call from RR about 13:15 to go out near Kettering. I got back about 15:30 and managed to get about another three hours sleep in. A slow start to the week, but not bothered. I've fekt quite 'light headed' this afternoon, at times it was difficult to fully concentrate, I still don?t feel,quite right yet. I think it may have resulted from my taking too much Becotide for my Asthma.,I haven't taken any for several months, until this past weekend, supposed to take two puffs a day, but started on extra, about four puffs a go!
I missed a call from Freda this evening, she called about 21:20 - I was up stairs - I passed on a job advertisment from Expedia to her last Thursday, thought Husain might be interested, well he got the job, and according to the message is quite pleased about it. Freda is doing some data entry work on a 8 - 4 basis for a couple of weeks. She sent me a text a couple of days ago saying she sought my advice on AJ. Don't know him, get the impression he's someone she's known for sometime, and she's now thinking of starting a more intense relationship with him. That will be he pr fourth in just over a year. I don't really want to get involved, i'm,quite enjoying the break from her at the moment. 23:16 - Geoff told me earlier that Greg want's Pete Horne and myself to start the Process Accreditation a week on Thursday, probably won't be able to put it off any more! Geoff say's he thinks he will be doing it, which is one good thing I guess. Geoff also told me Greg is due to move onto days the week after next.
DP is still on the sick, this is his second week, sounds like he has broken a bone in his hand.
I supose I should note for the record that Leicestershire won the final of the 20/20 Cricket tournament last Saturday evening. Saturday also saw, much to my dismay, the start of the football season. Autumn must be just around the corner.City drew 0 / 0 against West Ham and immediately went to 15th in the league, although I understand they are near favorites to win the lleague this time.
Today saw the conclusion of the trial of Lee Hughes?,- the Premier footballer who smashed into a car one night last November killing one man and injuring several others. Lee fled the scene and turned himself in some thirty six hours later. He'd been drinking and was driving at about ninety miles an hour on a country road. He'd pleaded not guilty to manslaughter saying his breaks had locked. The jury took ninety minutes to convict him, he was sentenced to six years. Easy for me to say but can't help thinking he'd have been better off pleading guilty, less of a weight for his soul to bear. I guess he was hanging on to any small hope he coukd get away with it, which of course one never can - but I can welk see how one could think that way. I guess he will serve four years, his lufe will be very different when he comes out, all that grief for something that happened in a few seconds. But then again that is perhaps not true many things may have lead up to it, many opportunities may have presented tthem self that could have taken events down a different path - a different path has forced itself upon all cooncerned now. I feel I should take more heed of opportunities that come my way.
02:09 - Still reading The Secret Doctrine - volume I - hard going, but facinating all the same. JJ, Blavaski and the Kung Fu series!.are my main points of inspiration at the moment, which I guess is not a bad combination! I still, on occasion, 'hear' a small voice telling me some pearl of insight, but I usually feel although small, it is so important that I would never forget it, but ut rapidly fades like waking from a dream. Like a dream I have to take different measures to record these feelings, these 'nuggets', even if by only writing them down! Constant awareness, vigilance should be vital, easy to say, but difficult to practice, but the results are well worth the effort - even if I normally fall short of the objective. I feel I am realising more the impotance of what JJ and others mean when they say always seek to achieve the 'highest',one can I.e. Always do,one's best - trouble
is I usually fall far short of this, resulting in feelings of 'guilt', a sense of 'unworthiness', and a reluctance to continue in a positive way in the future, when one so often misserably fails. I am sure this is something I have to overcome. What I refer to as the 'recoverry period' from feeling guilty to feeling poositive, surely shoild in most situations be reduced to a minimum? I still have to clarify this in my mind, and come up with an approach that suits 'me'. I seem to spend nearly all my time feeling guilty about something. Matbe if I write it down more it will help?
Greg came up too me about 02?30 wanted to know why the Weak Link was yellow forb45 minutes due to Master Speed - it was when i'd been on a break, Battu hadn't kept an eye on it, told him I'd sort it out.
Tuesday 10th August
I managed to get plenty of sleep today, but only hsd one RR job to Nottingham late morning. I suspect they have taken on another driver or more probably taken on a replacement for someone who has left. I reckon I had nearly eight hours sleep. It's nearly 04:00 - Wednesday morning, have been on Process Mapping training with Pete Horne all night, actually I have done very little. Pete reckons Greg is moving to days next week.
I should accept and recognise the devine foundation - accept it as fully as possible - embrace and 'run' with it. Not to keep falling backward thinking it's ok, I can pick up the baton at any time - this is not and will not be the case, if I continue to reject it I feel I will have to wait longer for the opportunitie to present itself again. Read up more on the unification of the higher mind with the lower nature, realising this is something all have to face at one time or another. NOW IS THE TIME.
Wednesday 11th August As I was getting changed this morning at Walkers Geoff Marsden told me that Brian Barker had died, aged 57? He may have died about a month ago, but not sure on that, may hear more later. I think today is the first anniversary of my starting at Roadrunners. I recall noting that I didn't think I would be working for them in twelve months time, yet here I am. Having said that though I have had one of the poorist weeks for work from them this week in the past year. Today I was only given the Flo Gas job from Merry Lees. When they caled there was a problem making the connection and I had to calk them back. I think it was Sarah who asked if my phone was working ok, I said it was. I'm sure they haven't called me and not gotten through, the only call I didn't answer was yesterday morning just before eight. Looks like they have taken on some more drivers? I didn't check out that phone number in the Mercury last week, will have to do so, fairly sure it was RR. Will be interesting to call Nick, see how much work he is being given, he may have some additional contacts.
All I seem to have done today is sleep, or at least try to sleep. There is always the thought close by that I could be called out at anytime, so banking sleep is a gpod idea - up to a ppint. Funny thing is, I started keeping a log of my sleep and work hours, haven't had so much sleep since I was on holiday, and I don't feel thst much better for it!
22:38 - I'm on line one tonight, Bawa is relieving me for breaks. Line four is off for the shift. Greg said yesterday he would be doing the cooks PDP's tonight - something to look forward to! I think tomorrow is his last night before moving to days. There was a rumour that Vaughn might be taking over, that would I think be an even worse development for us.
I'm thinking if driving up to Blackpool about midnight on Friday, and sleeping in the van for a few hours when I get there. Due to pick Arthur up at 09:30.
It may be due to the Olympics starting this week, but I my thoughts of late wander to ancient Greece and Rome. I wonder about every day life. How safe would it have been to wander the sttreets at night? Lighting would not have been that good, but the main complexes must have been guarded by militia. I guess it was much like today, teverns would have been lit to varying degrees, drink and conversation to pass the evening with, before wandering home to one's bed, before getting up at various times dependeing upon one's occupation. It's funny how just writing it down, brings clarity and even an insight into the question raised. Something I would do well to bear in mind.
Three weeks today will see the first day of autumn, and I will probably be in Nottingham helping the Boonits move house. I'd like to take Rio or Tiggy out for the day before then, maybe I will see Steph this weekend?
02:25 - Ian told me a couple of hours ago that in fact Greg isn't here tonight, due to the death of his father So there is a possibility he may not return to the night shift, although I would think that unlikely sinse he will no doubt wish toi complete everyones PDP review before he moves on.
Apparently there is some overtime this Friday and Saturday, hard to see how considering how the lines are regular turned off at night, however this would be the first weekend overtime for some months.
Sue in the canteen, was telling me earlier that her brother died of vCJD. Started off by asking why I didn't eat beef?
I'm really quite looking forward to a week off - just over two weeks to go. At the moment I'm thinking of going camping for at least three or four days, probably over the second weekend, dependeing on the weather.
Haven't heard from Freda Monday, she should be starting down her usual route of starting a relationship, this time with AJ? - poor sod!
Thursday 12th August RR called me just after nine with a Bone Bank job to Milton Keynes, actually managed to drop it off by 9:30. Had a few local jobs then, bith the Flo Gas, and a couple of Odd Bins jobs to to finish. Gor home about 16:10, slept on and off from about five. Received a call / message from Freda at some point. Said she's been doing Becky's job, whatever that is. Apparently Husain called the police from Freda's mum's house because he thought he was goung to hit him! Freda and Husain are going to London for the day on Saturday. Sounds like he is still pleased about getting the job at Expedia.
22:15 _ Geoff has just been up, Greg isn't in again tonight. Geoff pointed out there has been a policy change today re the slicers, in that there is now a maximum running time of 90 minutes [from four hours!] I think all three lines are running tonight - most unusual, although I did hear yesterday a large order for Salt & Shake had been received, hence the weekend production .
As I was about to leave the van, there was an unconfirmed report on radio five that Michael Owen had been signed for Real Madrid for nine million plus another player in exchange.
NB - I seem to have lost a lot of my ability to focus and be observant in a detatched manner the past few days. Does the extra amount of sleep I have experienced this week have a direct link to this? Do I function better when kept more occupied? I think there's at least some truth in this. In addition is stress a factor? Again I think this is applicable. At the moment I feel stressed about the Optimisation assessment starting next week. Can I treat this as an experiment and try to adjust ny approach from that which it would be if left to follow it's own course? I have just had a 'sense' that this is indeed the course to take. The aim should be to take more control, except more responsibility. Despite the face I put in to the world, I think I often try to avoid responsibility in many things, something I should give further consideration to.
03:16 - This time tomorrow I should be at Blackpool, maybe I will be able to sleep on the beach if the weather is ok. This summer should surely be rememberd for the rain! I don't remember down pours like them, almost tropical. The warm / hot weather that has been present through out has meant it hasn't been that un pleasant, and the ground seems to dry out remarkably quickly.
The father suspected of shooting too death his daughter near Nottingham about three weeks ago is still on the run, I haven't seen anything mentioned in the press for the past week, surely someone is hiding him?
The news has been dominated by the double murder on the east coast of an elderly couple who's son was convicted of murder a few weeks ago. They were shot last Sunday afternoon, strange to think they were alive this time last week.
Today saw the final entry in the Guardian of 'a life inside' by Erwin James? Seems he has been released after serving nineteen years, almost as long as I've been at Walker's! He must have been sent down in 1985, which doesn't seem that long ago to me in many ways. 1986 saw the Challenger accident, which really doesn't seem that long ago. 1984 must have been the Los Angeles Olympics. 1986 was only three years before I moved onto the boat. I remember the first trip to Nottingham very clearly, I read Wind in the Willows, seemed quite appropriate! Wow that was fifteen years ago!
03:53 - I'm feeling very lethargic, could be the heat in here, at least it doesn't help. Hope I get about three hours sleep this morning, could do with an easy day, my heart doesn't seem to be in it this week!
The trial period on the Pocket Watch software expired at midnight, will see if I can down load it again at the weekend.
15th August Not much time ? 20:40 ? in Westcotes ? picked up Arthur from Blackpool yesterday - arrived about 02:50 ? and had a few hours sleep in the van before picking Arthur up at 09:30. Saturday afternoon went with Steph and the Kiddies to a steam fayre at South Croxton ? nice afternoon out. Today I leant the laptop to Steph, did some shopping for her. Took Peggy for a walk along the canal, but ended up sleeping for a couple of hours - haven?t got done half what I intended. Didn?t get any revision done for the Optimisation, will just have to take it has it comes!
2004-08-22 18:56:20 (GMT)
Past Week
Diary Notes
Monday 16th August Raj was running line one when I arrived, he said most of the cooks had gone for assessment - he seemed to find running the fryer again quite tough! 22:38 - Line one plate stand - Really didn't want to come in tonight - feeling quite drained, and I'm not looking forward to the Optimisation assessment, which I'm expecting to start on Wednesday. Didn't get any revision done yesterday, but have just looked through my notes on the back end and peelers, which is what I expect to have to cover on Wednesday, and am feeling a bit calmer! Had quite a good night in the Westcotes last night, drank more than I intended, but I had a good nights sleep although I felt quite lethargic most of the day. Mentioned to Steph yesterday about possibly taking Tigger to Gulliver?s Land when I have a few days off. She didn't rule it out, but said she'd prefer Tigger not to be away all day. Just had a couple of RR jobs today - the Flo Gas from Merry Lees and a job to Capital One in Nottingham. Didn't really mind cos I managed to get some sleep in this afternoon. I don't think I've seen any of the Olympics 'live' yet, just a few minutes of recorded high lights. I haven't seen the main stadium yet although events are not coming from there yet. Current events are mainly, swimming, sailing, judo etc. The main news seems to be dominated by the two Greek athletes who missed a drugs test last week, claiming they had been in a motorcycle accident. They are due to leave hospital tomorrow and attend a hearing on Wednesday. There is a lot of speculation that the accident was just a ploy. This afternoon has seen major flooding in Cornwall near to Bude. Some buildings have been washed away. Rain has certainly been the dominant feature if this summer. The guy wanted in connection with the death of his recently married daughter was captured in Nottinghamshire this afternoon. If I have the news stories I'll post them in. Fosse Road near the Merry Monarch has been closed all weekend for road repairs, and was still closed today. NEWS REPORTS- Mon, 16 August, 2004, 19:08 GMT 20:08 UK
Police arrest dead woman's father Police have arrested the father of Chanel Taylor who was shot dead in her Nottinghamshire home two weeks ago. Terry Rodgers, 55, was arrested at 1730 BST on Monday afternoon, following a four-day search of the area near Huthwaite by more than 400 officers. Detectives said he was now being held at an undisclosed police station prior to being questioned. Mrs Taylor's body was discovered by her husband, Lee, on 30 July - they had married just seven weeks earlier. Armed police On Friday hundreds of officers using dogs and helicopters equipped with heat seeking cameras started to comb Annesley woods, near Huthwaite. They were following unconfirmed sightings that placed Mr Rodgers in the area. Det Ch Insp Paul Cottee, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Following today's search I can confirm that 55-year- old Terence Rodgers the man wanted for questioning in connection with Chanel Taylor's murder was arrested. "During a major search operation in the defined area he was arrested by armed police officers and has been taken to an undisclosed police station in the county where he will be examined by a police surgeon." Mr Rodgers was living with his daughter at the time of her death after the break-up of his own marriage. The massive police search of the woods also located Robert Boyer, 42, wanted for questioning in connection with another, unrelated murder. On Monday evening police were granted a further 36 hours to question Mr Boyar over the death of Keith Frogson on 19 July.
Mon, 16 August, 2004, 19:15 GMT 20:15 UK
Cornish flash floods cause chaos A major incident has been declared by rescue services in north Cornwall after a huge wave crashed through a coastal village during heavy flooding. Heavy storms on Monday afternoon caused 6cm (2ins) of rain to fall in two hours in the Boscastle area. Seven rescue helicopters were scrambled after people were left trapped in cars, homes and trees. Rescue workers described the situation as "horrendous" as buildings and cars were washed into the sea. Cars abandoned BBC Spotlight Cornwall reporter David George said: "There is no electricity or power in the area. A number of properties have been completely washed away and, at one point, a 10-foot wave came down one street." Michael Mulford, spokesman for RAF Kinloss which is co- ordinating the military rescue effort, said two adults and a baby had been rescued from a car and taken to hospital. Also among those being rescued was a kidney dialysis patient who needed lifting out of his house to get medical treatment. Mr Mulford said: "All the way down that river bank we are picking people out of trees, we are picking them off the bank and taking them out of cars." David George said: "There has been a constant stream of rescue helicopters coming in to airlift people out. They seem to be on a rotation, coming in, taking them away and coming back to take more out. "Emergency services are here in huge numbers. There are 20 or 30 fire engines lined up on one road, but they are unable to get into the centre of the town. "Huge trees lying in the street are being washed into the river and three shops are completely gone, either under water or washed away. 'Torrential rain' Nigel Doyle, landlord of The Darlington Inn in nearby Camelford, said sandbags were being put in place to protect properties from the swollen River Camel. He said: "The emergency services are out and they are sandbagging certain houses because the river is going at full flow. "There is a lot of flood water out on the streets. "I couldn't see out the car earlier and we had to drive about 5mph to get through it. It is the heaviest rain I have ever been out in." Margaret Hunter, owner of the Tintagel Arms Hotel, said the rain had been "exceptional". She said: "It has been torrential. Really, really heavy rain and storms with water running down the village. I was amazed at the volume of rain."
01:17 Tue - Geoff took me off for a break - 25 min earlier, had a couple of coffees and an Aspirin, could feel a headache coming on. Feeling better now, but still feeling a bit stressed. This is something I really should look at addressing; it causes me to function too much below what I should at important times. One option would be to prepare more in order to compensate and boost my confidence, but I'm sure that is only a partial answer. Will have to give this a lot more consideration in the near future. In deed I feel this is a major part of the task I have over the next ten to fifteen years, since I still feel a major 'point of tension' will come along then, how I have prepared will play a major part in the remainder of my life.
02:38 - Not too bad now, think it's the coffee! When I took Peggy for a quick, walk on the park about :21:15 I was surprised to see two young lads on two separate benches lighting up what were obviously drugs. At the same time there were a group of young kiddies playing on the road near Jo Mondays. I think I may call in at the police station to point this out, although there is an assumption that they probably know.
03:36 - Just for the record DP is on his third weeks sick leave and Battu is off to attend his assessment for the Snax line, and it looks like Greg has taken up his position on days, although I feel he will make a re appearance soon, to finish of appraisal etc.
Looking forward to my week?s holiday in a couple of weeks - will have to plan it, or I fear I will waste it.
NB -, note - place the attention on the group - the whole - not predominantly on the personality. One is destined to live in effect for ever, but not as the personality one has now - don't allow blockages to slow the natural progress.
Steph asked me on Sunday why I had a file on John Smith on my desk top? I said I didn't know, and then I realized she must be referring to Jo's dad. It wasn't until later, when I looked that I realised the file was marked 'Paul C Smith? correctly. I felt a bit disappointed that Steph had again miss read something, but clearly thought she hadn't. Several months ago I gave her an article that JJ had written, she later mentioned that he had stated something I am sure he hadn't said, but I wasn't sure which article I had printed out. It illustrates how easily Steph can easily at times come to a wrong conclusion and from such decisions and actions could ensue. I am sure this tendency is exasperated by the continual stress she is under, but I should pay attention to any similar occupies in the future maybe there a suitable opportunity will arise to point this out to her in a 'gentle' manner?
05:09 - Have done a few notes on some of the Optimisation; will go over them again tonight.
Husain started his job at Expedia today - wonder how he got on?
Tuesday 17th August 00:47 [Wed] - Another quiet day with RR, although I must admit I don't feel too bothered at the moment. Did both the Flo Gas jobs and a one case job from Odd Bins to the Nine Bar on Narboriugh Road. At least I managed about six hours sleep. I called in the Hinckley Road police station this morning to report the drug use on the park last night, but the woman officer didn't appear that interested, although after some hesitation she decided to record 'my' personal details in a book.
Greg has been in for a couple of hours tonight to give some briefings. Lyn Hawkins also gave a brief on new regulations coming in next year to do with allergic substances in food products. Labelling and cleaning practices are to be amended. Greg said he will be covering nights the week of the Bank Holiday, when I will be on holiday myself! Geoff has been taking me off for breaks. I am assuming I will still have to do some of the Optimisation Assessment tomorrow. If it's only the intake, peelers, and inspection I might get away with it!! Geoff said last week to concentrate on the KPI's. Tonight was the first time I used visualisation to try to remember the key facts, and it seems to have worked. This is something I should remember in the future - don't feel so stressed at the moment but that may change tomorrow - I'd like to see it put off until next week. Battu is still off, due back tomorrow following his assessment for the snax line. Regarding the Snax line I can see over the partitioning that the past few days have seen the erection of the high level walkways adjacent to the plate stand. The front end has been completely blocked off this week.
News Items;- Tue, 17 August, 2004, 15:36 GMT 16:36 UK
Anti-terror police charge eight Anti-terrorism police have charged eight men with various offences, including conspiracy to murder. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit a public nuisance by using radioactive material, toxic gas, chemicals or explosives. All eight will appear in Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Scotland Yard said on Tuesday. A ninth man arrested with them on 3 August was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. Police charged them of conspiring "together and with other persons unknown" between 1 January 2000 and 4 August 2004 under the Criminal Law Act 1977. Under the Terrorism Act police had a deadline of Tuesday afternoon to charge them or release them, having questioned them for a fortnight. They were arrested with four other men in raids across England, including Blackburn, Luton, and London. Two of the 13 arrested on 3 August were freed without charge; two more are no longer being questioned under the Terrorism Act but were rearrested on suspicion of other offences. Three of the nine charged on Tuesday were also charged under the Terrorism Act 2000. Dhiren Barot was charged with possessing reconnaissance plans of the Stock Exchange in New York, the IMF in Washington, and the Citigroup in New York and having notebooks with information on explosives, poisons, chemicals and related matters. He was also charged with possessing a reconnaissance plan of the Prudential Building in New Jersey, US. Nadeem Tarmohammed was also charged with the Prudential building offence. The plans contained "information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism contrary to Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000," police said. Qaisar Shaffi was charged with having an extract of the Terrorist's Handbook, Scotland Yard said. It was unclear which court the ninth man, Matthew Monks, 32, of Sudbury, London, would appear in and a date for his court appearance has not been set.
Tue, 17 August, 2004, 14:11 GMT 15:11 UK
Bride murder police quiz father Police are questioning the father of a newly-wed bride who was shot dead more than two weeks ago in Nottinghamshire. Terry Rodgers, 55, was arrested on Monday, following a four-day woodland search by more than 400 officers. Police using dogs and helicopters equipped with heat seeking cameras had combed Annesley Woods, near Kirkby-in- Ashfield. Chanel Taylor was killed in her home in Huthwaite on 30 July, a few miles from where her father was found. Her body was discovered by her husband, Lee - they had married just seven weeks earlier. Supt Stuart Wright said on Tuesday: "There was evidence that Mr Rodgers had been living in the woods for some time, however the shelter was not substantial. "Today a forensic examination of the shelter is taking place along with the surrounding area of woodland." Mr Rodgers was deemed to be fit and well by a police surgeon following his arrest, police said. A spokesman said he was neither malnourished nor dehydrated. Det Ch Insp Paul Cottee, of Nottinghamshire Police, confirmed on Monday that Terry Rodgers had been found. "During a major search operation in the defined area he was arrested by armed police officers and has been taken to an undisclosed police station in the county where he will be examined by a police surgeon." Mr Rodgers was living with his daughter at the time of her death after the break-up of his own marriage. The massive police search of the woods earlier located Robert Boyer, 42, who has since been charged with murder.
Tue, 17 August, 2004, 19:29 GMT 20:29 UK
Live: Olympics day four Stephen Parry claimed Great Britain's second medal of the Olympic Games with a fine bronze in the 200m butterfly. Parry finished behind US star Michael Phelps, who took gold with new Olympic record of one minute 54.04 seconds. And Phelps added his third gold of the Games as the USA produced a great swim to pip the Australians in a thrilling 4x200m freestyle relay. Yana Klochkova of Ukraine defended her 200m individual medley title, her second gold medal of the Athens Games. A tearful Camelia Potec of Romania won the women's 200m freestyle from Italy's Federica Pellegrini in a tight finish. Pieter van den Hoogenband and Ian Thorpe qualified for the final of the men's 100m freestyle, but Russian legend Alexander Popov failed to qualify. Britain's Chris Cook and Ian Edmond failed to qualify for the men's 200m breaststroke final, while Georgina Lee missed out on the women's 200m butterfly final. The Greeks celebrated their second gold medal of the Games, as Ilias Iliadis won the men's 81kg judo. Iliadis beat Roman Gontyuk of Ukraine by ippon in the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall to spark ecstatic scenes among home fans. Despite Iliadis' glory, the controversy surrounding Greek sprint duo Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou refuses to go away. The pair left hospital on Tuesday as a medical report suggested neither sprinter suffered visible injuries in the motorcycle crash which left both in hospital - although Kenteris continued to protest his innocence. And America's world sprint champion Torri Edwards will miss the Olympics after her appeal against a two-year drugs ban was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Mariel Zagunis won the United States' first fencing gold in 100 years after beating China's Tan Xue in the women's sabre, while Marcel Fischer of Switzerland won gold in the men's individual epee. Great Britain remain in contention in the three-day eventing, lying third behind France and Germany following excellent displays from Mary King, Leslie Law and William Fox-Pitt. But Pippa Funnell's hopes of an individual medal suffered a setback when she finished 41st of the 75 competitors. Great Britain's Sydney gold medallist Richard Faulds suffered disappointment when he failed to make the double trap shooting final. The event was won by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum, who collected a first-ever gold medal for the United Arab Emirates. There was a shock in the tennis as world number one Roger Federer crashed out in three sets to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. But women's world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne continued her comeback from illness with victory over Maria Vento-Kabchi of Venezuela. Great Britain's slim hopes of a men's hockey medal took a blow earlier in the day when they lost 3-2 to South Korea. The lack of wind has complicated the sailing schedule for the second day running, but Britain's Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield continue to lead the Men's 470 class. The rowing regatta resumed with Britain's Ian Lawson qualifying for the semi-finals of the single scull by winning his repechage heat.
High drama as Jackson faces California prosecutor in court From Chris Ayres in Los Angeles WEARING a dazzling white suit with a yellow armband, Michael Jackson arrived at a Californian courthouse yesterday to confront the criminal prosecutor who has been trying to imprison him for more than a decade. Legal experts said that the court showdown demonstrated that the personal grudge between the two men, and could significantly influence the outcome of the singer?s trial, expected early next year. Jackson emerged from a white luxury double-deck bus, holding aloft a black umbrella to protect him from the morning sun, to chants and screams from about 100 fans. They held up banners saying: ?Our Love Is With You?; ?Michael Jackson Is Innocent?; and, bizarrely, ?Mrs Michael Jackson?. As usual, the singer was flanked by bodyguards wearing black designer suits. The voluntary court appearance was a carefully organised public relations exercise by the 45-year-old singer, who is free on $3 million (?1.6 million) bail after being charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains that he is the victim of a vendetta by Tom ?Mad Dog? Sneddon, the district attorney for Santa Barbara, the town closest to the singer?s Neverland ranch. As part of the vendetta claim, Mr Jackson?s lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr, subpoenaed Mr Sneddon and called for yesterday?s court hearing to question him about his behaviour before the singer was charged. Although Mr Jackson was not required to turn up, he arrived at the white Spanish-style Santa Maria courthouse with his parents, Joseph and Katherine, and siblings including Janet, LaToya, Jermaine and Jackie. The entire family was wearing spotless white. Legal experts said that the family had essentially turned up to gloat at their ability to put Mr Sneddon on the stand. ?It?s a face-off between Jackson and Sneddon,? said Laurie Levenson, a Loyola University law professor and former federal prosecutor. ?And emotionally, it?s a big moment in the case. This is high drama.? The defence?s strategy is to try to show that the 61-year- old district attorney, a former boxer, broke confidentiality rules between lawyers and clients as he prepared the case against Mr Jackson. In particular, the Jackson defence team is focusing on Mr Sneddon?s decision to raid a private investigator?s office in Beverly Hills. At the time of the raid, the investigator, Bradley Miller, was employed by Mr Jackson?s original defence lawyer, Mark Geragos. The singer later dismissed Mr Geragos, replacing him with Mr Mesereau. Sheriff?s officials have already given evidence in court that they used a sledgehammer to break into Mr Miller?s office in Beverly Hills and seized videotapes and files related to the case. They also photographed the building and documents, showing its roster of occupants. Any formal relationship between the investigator and Mr Jackson?s lawyer could mean that the raid was illegal. The issue is a legal grey area, but the outcome is crucial to the prosecution?s case because evidence seized from Mr Miller?s office will be used to claim that the singer forced his alleged 12-year-old victim into making a videotape praising the singer?s character. This will form the centre of the prosecution?s conspiracy charge. But if Mr Jackson?s defence team succeeds in suppressing the evidence as illegally gained, it would be a significant blow to Mr Sneddon. Mr Jackson made a surprise visit to the pre-eminent black church in Los Angeles on Sunday, where he met about 35 schoolchildren. He was asked by one girl if the children could visit Jackson?s Neverland ranch. ?You?re welcome to come any time,? he replied.
03:25 - Geoff told me about twenty minutes ago that I will be doing the Assessment with him tonight. He said not to,worry about it. He's now talking of me doing more than I expected to, and taking all night. He also said I have to do at least one Sunday start up - not very happy about it!
05:40 - Geoff told me my assessment is now Wednesday and Thursday - oh shit!! Looks like I have to do the lot! He's just given me the questions on the quiet, think I will have to take today off from RR and do some more swating! Feeling quite nervous again now.
Wednesday 18th August Took the day off from RR to prepare for assessment. Slept until about 11:15, went and bought four cans of Grolch and started about midday. Took a nap about 13:30, slept for a couple of hours, before looking at it again for a while, got quit nervous, had another sleep. When I arrived tonight all lines were off, and have been since 14:00. There is a fault getting product to the warehouse, plus little demand for production. Lines are due back in the morning at 06:00. Its 01:53 on my second break, not going to bad Geoff is helping me through the blockages. He says there will be some more to do tonight, then the rest will be done in the near future, may be after my holiday. At least I will have gotten most of it out of the way! Haven't decided yet whether I will take today off from RR as well? Feeling quite stressed. 05:42 - think it will be best if I take today off from RR, have things I have to memorise for tonight, should have got through over fifty percent by then. Geoff is planning on spending a couple of hours with me before moving onto Pete. Battu came back last night following his assessment for the Snax line; he didn't think he'd done very well.
Thursday 19th August E-mailed RR to say I wasn't available again due to having to attend an assessment at Walkers. Had a call early from them but ignored it. Had plenty of sleep again, getting up first just before midday. Did a bit of revision and went back to sleep. Did about 90 minutes with Geoff tonight before starting to clean the wash units on line one. Have to do the Slicing, Seasoning, Oil, Start Up, and Shut Down over the next few weeks. Don't feel to bad about it now, Geoff has been very easy going. The other thing that has made a big difference is using picture association to remember things! I really must make more use of this technique. - It?s now 03:31 - in the canteen, not much left on the wash units to do. 05:16 - Hiding out on line one plate stand. I feel as tired, if not more so, than when I get little sleep! 05:32 - Just hit home to me, there is less than two weeks left of summer. Quite looking forward to autumn though - there is already a sense of it in the countryside. I should note for the record that there was further torrential rain, particularly in Scotland yesterday. The rain I have experienced doesn't seem so bad because the accompanying temperatures are quite high, and the ground dries out quite quickly, unlike in the late autumn and winter months. Little Pam has been on the Peelers tonight, haven't seen her there for a long time, looks like Brian Oldershaw is on holiday. Pam has gone a several shades darker than usual, think she has just returned from holiday. Will have to call RR when I get home and say I will be available today, don't feel like it, but don't want to push my luck too far. At least it's the weekend tomorrow, and in a weeks time I will almost be on holiday. Have been making some notes on what I 'd like to do, if I don't I will just let the week slip away as usual, and end up with a feeling of regret.
Friday 20th August 17:30 - Line five plate stand - feeding L5 & 4 -- 4 to go off at 18:30. Clocked in four minutes late - RR messing me about with an additional job from Narborough to Bardon, couldn't fit it in the end, and passed it onto Nick at the BP garage on Saffron Road. He wasn't very happy, says he learnt about ?150 last week, some days he only learnt ?6 - looks like they have taken on extra drivers.
Saturday 21st August 13:55 ? Been up less than an hour. Couldn?t get to sleep last night. Was past five when I eventually got off, must be all that sleep I?ve had this week, although I feel quite tired ? don?t think I will be doing much this weekend.
Called round at Steph?s in the past hour, both cars are there but no sign of her or the kiddies had a look on the small park but not there either. Sent a text to Freda, she called back immediately ? going on about Greg praising me up on days, saying I should have put in for the Mantech job on the Snax line ? sounds more like a cleaning job for much of the time, and I can?t see it running for more than one or two nights a week. She said her gay friend Pete is due anytime, coming to stop for the weekend. She said she really doesn?t want to go out on the town with ?them? tonight ? suggested she explain this too him, think she is under pressure from Lyn Hawkins to go as well. Spoke to Husain, he seems to have enjoyed his first week at Expedia, it?s in Pegasus house, near Vaughan Way. Plan on going shopping later, save having to do it tomorrow, can call in at mothers on the way. Just downloading some MP3 files that JJ put together of this years Gathering.
Ended up snoozing a couple of hours in the afternoon, went shopping at Tesco?s but didn?t make it to mothers. Went to the Westcotes about 19:45, I was the only one there then. Surprised to see Arthur had managed to get a piano. Martin tol me it had arrived Thursday. Soon after Arthur arrived, told me he?d got the piano from a shop on Narborough Road, cost him ?150. Arthur was very nervous, and started to play about 21:30 ? after about ten minutes he had clearly gained his confidence and put on a performance that I think all enjoyed. Charlie seemed was fairly quiet. I left about 23:15, after having an extra Guinness or two.
Sunday 22nd August 13:35 ? Woke up early, but then spent the morning sleeping ? again ? still have to get the laundry done.
Have been feeling quite low the past twenty four hours, actually longer than that. I?ve been downloading some talks by JJ from this years Gathering, heard him saying about the single person and how they can only achieve a contentment, i.e. lacking the fire of a couple. I feel this is right, although I don?t wish to go out and form a relationship, I am concerned that the bye products of the way I am are very disturbing to me. This is mainly felt because of the state I am living in, this place really is a ?tip?, I work and it provides me with an excuse not to apply myself to things of more importance. The sad thing is I have known this, it seems, for such a long time. The fact of recoding this observation in writing, I hope will encourage me to get myself sorted out ? to really ?stretch? myself in all that I do. As I write this I feel strongly deep down that this is correct, but I should not waste the time, it may look like I have a long time to achieve, but this is an illusion ? this I know, every minute should be used to the full.
I?m still downloading from JJ?s site and listening to previous ones. I have to go and do the laundry still, can?t put it off much longer, I should get a decent walk in, but I feel I hardly have the energy.
18:10 ? Have been dozing ? again ? feel drained of energy. Decided I should be able to get through another week before doing the laundry! About ten minutes ago Paula Radcliffe dropped out ? or so it seems of the Olympic marathon ? very sad to see. Going to try and put the effort in and walk down to the Westcotes. Feeling quite down.
19:20 ? Just arrived at the Westcotes ? was listening to JJ before I came out ? where he revealed that Zion would be created on the ocean, as several island chains ? mostly man made ? interesting. Another point he made, that is more immediate was that around 80% of working people, think he?s reffering to the US here are not in jobs that create welth, but merely move it around ? if that?s accurate the percentages could be higher here.
2004-08-29 13:29:01 (GMT)
Past Week
Diary Notes
Monday 23rd August Raining nearly all day. Had first job from RR just before ten. Did four or five jobs all day, with a break of about 90 minutes when I grabbed a snooze - felt better after that, a bit lethargic before then. Had a job to Staffordshire? In the afternoon, as I was passing near to Glenfield on the way back [about 16:40] Clive called me with a couple of Odd Bins jobs, one was to the HSBC on Waterloo Way, he said to do that one first. When I got ton Odd Bins they weren't very happy, and cancelled the HSBC drop because it was too late, they said they'd called the job in before lunch time, and had phoned RR three times since. I just did a drop to the Nine Bar on Narborough Road. RR called me again about 17:20 to see if I could do a job to Lincoln, I told them I was baby sitting from 18:30. When I told Clive Odd Bins weren't very happy he said he knew, and that today had been all over the place. I'm wondering if they have lost a driver, one of their own or possibly Nick? Seems a bit strange why they didn't give me the Odd Bins job at lunch time, along with the fact they offered me the Lincoln job at a time I would have thought they would have had spare capacity with their own drivers. Have a feeling I may be quite busy this week, at least I'm on holiday next week. I'm still feeling a bit down. I have to get focused on several things to get my life on track. Must start sorting the house out before it gets to the point where there is just too much to face with it. I've also decided, after listening to some of JJ's talks that I should knuckle down and really study Blavasky and Bailey; I feel I may then be able to play a true role in 'service'. I would go as far as to say this should become my life?s work from here on. I should aim to acquire as much of an understanding as possible, so that I can participate in passing this great knowledge on. This will be my goal in this life from now on. The first challenge is to acquire the knowledge and not be too daunted by the task of it. I'm sure if I apply myself in a year?s time I will feel I have taken the first full step - so long as I focus, and discipline myself. I even feel better for writing this down -
Its 22:36 - in line one plate stand, Kevin said he's taking me off for breaks.
In the news today, Kelly Holmes won the Gold medal in the 800 meters at the Olympics. Prior to that much of the headlines were taken up by a news conference given by Paula Radccliffe on why she dropped out of the marathon yesterday. She didn't really know, I just think when she realized she'd lost the chance of the Gold, she was hit by a very great despair which just drained her remaining reserves. Some have criticised her for not completing the race. Interesting how sections of the media can build someone up and then just knock them down. She seems like a strong woman so I'm sure she will bounce back.
I've also decided to record, at least for a few weeks all that I actually spend. I reckon I'm spending far more on everyday things than I might sometimes think! Will work on a spreadsheet.
Watched an episode of Foyles War yesterday recorded from ITV on Friday. Really rather good, pity I missed them the first tine round a new series is due in the autumn.
00:48 - Saw Dave on my last break, he's on his last shift.
I really have to set up a plan to clean the house up. If I give myself six weeks to do the lounge, two for the kitchen and four for upstairs I should get it at least comfortable in three months! If I start next week I should be finished by the end of November. Have to get started, it's really getting me down. Each journey begins with the first step they say!
Have a nasty feeling I'm going to be quite busy with RR later today. Hope I don't get the Odd Bins that was cancelled on Monday. It's 02:12.
I remember JJ saying one can to some extent change one's outlook by changing one's handwriting. I'm sure this is true, since for me I can also do this by altering the way I walk. This has always seemed very important to me. When I become aware of my steps I also become calmer and aware of other things around me. At times this is an important thing I forget, I should always remember it as a very important lesson. I think it was something I came across years ago when first watching the TV series Kung Fu! The lesson is valid no matter its source. Watching the way people walk I feel also offers insight into their personality, again an important lesson, but one I have never heard anyone else comment upon at all. I think I'm back to one of JJ's key words - ' decision '. Making the decision is the first step, and 'feels' good, to be starting out on a new road, a new adventure, but not to far away in the mind is the 'fear' of failure and of the negative things and indeed pain that may arise from taking the new road. But it's not un chartered, others have gone ahead of me, indeed it should be quite a worn track, but even so not being side tracked too often will need one's attention.
There's a lot of grit tonight, changed all the plates three times now. It's 02:42 - going for a break in a couple of minutes.
05:43 - had more grit in the plates tonight than any other day this year - changed more plates than any other day this year! Ahh - this time next week I'll be on holiday ;--)
Tuesday 24th August 23:41 - Line one plate stand. Had a long day. RR called about 08:25 with a Bone Bank job to Nothampton. Was biting and bobbing around most of the day. Went to a blind lady's at Woodhouse Eves at 14:00, then went to Nottingham and Derby, before returning to Leicester via Nottingham and Shepshed, didn't get home until 18:30. It's been raining nearly all day, with low bleak grey clouds. Spoke to Pete, the long term, permanent driver at Glenfield Hospital this morning. He said the other subbie, Nick, with the blue van had left RR. I knew he wasn't happy when I met him last Friday. I suspect they may have lost at least one other, but have no evidence of that. Pete was saying one of the women at Vertis had commented on the amount of new faces that show up for RR! Pete also said he only gets 17 days holiday a year, plus bank holidays. I thought this was low, and possibly illegal, or about to become so. I called them about 23:10, left a message saying I had been called into Walkers to cover someone who hasn't turned in due to breaking their arm [DP} said I was covering from midnight to six, so I'd appreciate it if they didn't call me until 09:30 - 10:00. A couple of hours sleep in the mornings does me good.
Despite all the rain, temperatures have been very mild, it would be a t worse if it was cold as well, and autumn will be here in a week, although in many ways it has already arrived. I've even seen some leaves going to rusk.
Poor Peggy, feel a bit guilty about her today. Let her stay at home this morning but took her with me this afternoon, but didn't get many chances to stop. Managed a short stop at Bradgate Park about 17:30 but it was raining then. Will have to make it up to her over the next few days, and I'm sure she will be very happy next week when I'm on holiday!, seeing all her friends at the Westcotes most nights! I'd still like to go camping at the end of next week, but not looking good with regards the weather. I realised earlier I have missed the Syston Fete this year, disappointed, enjoyed last years, I have also missed the New Parks Fete, quite annoyed with myself, would have enjoyed taking Rio and Tiggy again.
Forgot to mention before, I lost an important filling to one of my main front, lower teeth on Sunday. The one to the right. I now have quite a gap between that and the next one to the side. Don't know what I will do if I loose the tooth!? have doubts if I could even get through the door of a dentist!
01:41 - L 1 plate stand. Satnam is doing the boil out on line five, Battu, Kevin and I are rotating 30 minute breaks, with a ten minute over lap! Not feeling too bad, slight sensation in my head which occurs when I haven't had much sleep, but I don't actually feel very tired, will easily get through the shift. If I can get finished by five tomorrow evening I will be ok I'm sure.
Wednesday 25th August 22:36 - L 1 plate stand - Not a single job from RR all day! Wondered if I made a mistake telling them I was at Walkers last night, but don't think that was the reason, it wouldn't make good business sense for them. Probably call me tomorrow or Friday as if nothing had happened.
Surprised to see Greg here tonight, apparently he's here until about 02:00.
At least I got plenty of sleep today. Went out after four, got a black ink cartridge refilled on Narborough Road for ?9. Also got my prescription filled, have had it about a month now!
Took Peggy for a run on Western Park, nearly lost her when she ran off looking for me in the wrong direction, when I caught up with her she was clearly quite frantically looking for me, felt quite touched!
Downloaded a few more MP3 files from JJ, only have about six more to do, out of over ninety. Heard JJ say even God had to go through the human experience to learn the principals - by which I assume he means 'The Ancient of Days'. Fascinating thought. I can?t help thinking that I have an ever present feeling of 'unease', I guess one feels the prey of people and forces one has no control over. This is surely a key thing? To overcome this, by adopting a different approach would surely be a step in the right direction? I feel strongly this needs further studied consideration. I can only imagine what a difference overcoming this 'fear' would have, liberating indeed! I must come back to this.
In the news today, Mark Thatcher was arrested and appeared in court in South Africa suspected of funding a coup attempt in a central African state, he was released on bail. I'll post the story below, along with any other that may interest me. I read that Tony Blair returns from his holiday this week, he's been gone at least three weeks, maybe four. Nice to get back in the political scene, unlike the football season, which quite upsets me, due to the sheer amount of coverage it receives.
Bumped into Greg earlier, he was overflowing with enthusiasm as usual! Said he'd heard I was sailing through the assessment as he'd predicted. Also said he was just on days until Christmas and Vaughan would be back filling him, which if true is definitely not good news! Greg told the Mantechs that a PC 50 may replace line two to produce Sensations. Seems strange considering the short time we are producing this year. Line one is due off at 14:00 Thursday, and won't be back in until Monday. Having said that Terry Bromley has been cleaning line two tonight ready he said for October.
Still reading Blavatski's Secret Doctrine, volume one on my breaks, quite inspiring, I really do want to knuckle down and absorb the ideas in more depth - my life?s work from now on! When I have sufficient knowledge I will then have to apply it - that may be the difficult part - when the work really starts.
05:11 - Have a feeling I might get a long distance job today. I'm almost counting the hours until I finish Friday, and then have in excess of a week off. At Christmas I should get nearly two weeks off again. Which reminds me, I said last year I would do my Christmas shopping early this year, to avoid the sheer frustration of doing it at the last minute, so I will give it a go next week too! Probably use Amazon a lot, my best discovery of this year.
05:49 - Brian Pearson was around earlier, doing a PGI on his own! Congratulated me on having a clean and tidy work area!! - at least he's a nice guy.
In the news;-
Wed, 25 August, 2004, 17:55 GMT 18:55 UK
Thatcher protests coup innocence Mark Thatcher has denied any involvement in an alleged coup in Equatorial Guinea after being released on bail by a South African court. He is accused of violating laws banning South African residents from taking part in foreign military action A prosecution spokesman earlier said he was suspected of providing funding and assistance for the alleged coup. Sir Mark, son of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, said he was innocent of all charges. In a statement released by his spokesman, Lord Bell, the 51-year-old said: "I am innocent of all charges made against me. I have been and am cooperating fully with the authorities in order to resolve the matter. "I have no involvement in an alleged coup in Equatorial Guinea and I reject all suggestions to the contrary." Sir Mark appeared before magistrates in Cape Town after being arrested at his home in the wealthy suburb of Constantia. He was ordered to pay a bail bond of two million Rand (?165,000) and hand over his passport. He was charged with contravening two sections of South Africa's Foreign Military Assistance Act. Sir Mark, who inherited his late father's hereditary baronetcy in 2003, appeared in court in a dark suit and said nothing during the short hearing. He has been bailed to return to the court on 25 November and has been ordered not to leave the district and to hand over his passport and travel documents to the South African authorities. The 51-year-old father-of-two was arrested at his home in an exclusive suburb of Cape Town. Speaking outside the court, Sir Mark's lawyer, Peter Hodes, said he had been held on suspicion of providing financing for a helicopter linked to the coup plot and intended to plead not guilty. A spokeswoman for Baroness Thatcher said the former prime minister was on holiday in the United States and had not yet been contacted. Sir Mark's twin sister, Carol Thatcher, told BBC News 24 she was shocked by the allegations against her brother but that she had "lived through scandals before". Speaking at Heathrow Airport, as she returned to London from Switzerland, she said she had not spoken to Sir Mark and did not know the details of the charges against him. She said: "My real concern is for my mother because she's in America and I haven't spoken to her and I don't know her reaction and I care about her." She said she planned to contact Baroness Thatcher straight away before trying to get hold of her brother. An alleged plot to overthrow the president of Equatorial Guinea has sparked dozens of arrests across Africa. South African arms dealer Nick du Toit is accused of helping to organise the coup. He went on trial with 13 other foreign nationals on Monday in the country's capital, Malabo. The eight South Africans and six Armenians have been detained since March this year. A 15th defendant died in prison. Both Amnesty International and Mr du Toit's wife allege the accused were tortured. Seventy other accused mercenaries are on trial separately in Zimbabwe, where they were arrested on 6 March as they allegedly prepared to board a leased aircraft to launch the coup. The alleged plot leader, former British SAS captain Simon Mann, an old Etonian turned leading African mercenary, has admitted trying to procure dangerous weapons - a charge which carries a possible 10-year jail sentence.
Wed, 25 August, 2004, 16:52 GMT 17:52 UK
Hunt for clues to Russia crashes Russian investigators are searching for clues into what caused two airliners to crash within minutes of each other after leaving the same Moscow airport. Officials say they have not ruled out terrorism, although they have not yet found evidence of sabotage. Eighty-nine passengers and crew died when the aircraft went down about 800km (500 miles) apart. One of the planes sent a distress signal, which may have indicated a hijacking, before contact was lost. There is speculation that Chechen rebels were involved, ahead of presidential elections in the republic on Sunday - but this has been denied by rebel leaders. Security stepped up Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB security service to find out what caused the crashes. Security has reportedly been stepped up at Moscow's airports and other public sites. Russia's chief prosecutor Vladimir Ustinov told Mr Putin investigators were considering "a number of versions, among them a terrorist act, and human and technical factors", Reuters news agency reported. FSB spokesman Sergei Ignatchenko said there was yet no evidence of terrorism. "The main version is violation of planes' maintenance. Judging by the fragments of the planes, it is possible to say that there were no terrorist acts on the planes." But the operator of one of the planes, a Tu-154, said there were indications there had been an explosion onboard. "The wide distribution of large fragments indirectly confirms the conjecture that the plane broke up in midair because of an explosion," Sibir Airlines said in a statement. Earlier, Sibir said it had received an "automatically generated telegram from the Sochi air control centre that the plane had been hijacked". Interfax and Itar-Tass news agencies later quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying it had been a distress alert. Both aircrafts' "black box" flight data recorders have been recovered and sent to Moscow to be decoded. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says the near simultaneous loss of two flights is certainly being treated as suspicious. She says aviation experts there say the chances of this being pure accident are one in a million. Noise 'like thunder' The two planes flew out of Domodedovo airport within 40 minutes of each other on Tuesday. Contact with both aircraft was lost at about 2300 local time (1900 GMT). Wreckage from the first plane, a Tu-134 bound for Volgograd, was found near the village of Buchalki, in the Tula region, about 200km (125 miles) from Moscow. "First there was the sound of roaring, as if the plane was flying very low, then came an explosion, like thunder, followed by two more blasts after a couple of seconds. And that was it," said witness Yevgeny Chorkin. Officials said all 43 passengers and crew had been killed. A spokesman from Domodedovo airport said no foreigners were on either passenger list. But Itar-Tass news agency quoted an Israeli embassy official as saying two Israeli citizens from St Petersburg were on the Tu-134, owned by Volga-Aviaexpress airline. The second plane, the Tu-154, was heading for the Black Sea resort of Sochi with 46 passengers and crew. Wreckage was found near the southern Russian town of Rostov-on-Don, some 1,000km (600 miles) south of Moscow. Chechnya link? There were fears that militants linked to a bloody uprising in the southern republic of Chechnya may be behind the crashes. Correspondents say Chechen rebels had threatened to disrupt elections in Chechnya to replace President Akhmad Kadyrov, who was killed by a rebel bomb in May. But Akhmed Zakayev, spokesman for the Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, said Mr Maskhadov was "not linked to this in any way", Moscow Echo radio reported.
BBC News Online is on the web at bbc.co.uk/news
Wed, 25 August, 2004, 16:03 GMT 17:03 UK
August rain reaches record levels England is experiencing its wettest August ever recorded, the BBC weather centre has said. On average, 120mm of rainfall has fallen across the country since the start of the month, around two-thirds more than normal. BBC weather forecaster Darren Bett said parts of northern and north-eastern England have also experienced their wettest summer on record. Other parts of the UK had three times their normal amount of rain, he said. Several counties across England have recorded their wettest August since records began, including East Anglia, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Northumberland, Yorkshire and Lancashire. That has also made it the wettest August on record throughout England, beating the previous record set in 1992. The benchmarks have also been tumbling in Scotland. Deluge The BBC's Darren Bett said the town of Leuchars, near Dundee, had recorded over 200mm of rain for August. That was three times the normal amount the town would receive, he said. "That amount of rain happens once every 1,000 years," he said. While it is not yet the wettest summer since records began in 1922, that record could also fall by the end of the month. More than 240mm of rain has fallen on average throughout England since the start of June, 17mm short of the record amount. "So we may well have the wettest summer ever recorded too," our forecaster said. He said that milestone had already been achieved in eastern and north-eastern England. The prolonged spells of rain had been caused by the onset of the hurricane season across the Atlantic Ocean late in August. That came after the arrival earlier in the season of a jet stream stretching further south than usual, which also dumped heavy downpours across England.
BBC News Online is on the web at bbc.co.uk/news
Thursday 26th August
22:09 - Line four plate stand -- Line 1 off - Battu starting Optimisation Assessment. Been a long day! Went to the Royal Free Hospital London, then met up with Nick at Toddington and went back to London to drop a couple of packages at HSBC Canay Wharf. Worst thing was I was flashed by a speed camera in a tunnel not far from Canary Wharf on my way back, didn't get home until about 19:15. Hadn't taken Peggy since I started out on a local Bardon job which was cancelled and I was diverted to the LRI. Tonight on my way into Walkers I sneezed and lost another filling to my front lower right tooth, I think all support fillings have gone on that one now. On top of that Clive called me whilst on the motorway to give me a Reveal job to Nuneaton in the morning, picking up at 08:30.
00:56 - don't actually feel that tired. Less than twenty four hours to go until I'm on holiday.
Was a bit surprised to see Nick today, apparently he hasn't left or been sacked. One thing he told me that also surprised me was that Dean has left RR. Hardly anyone seems to stop for long, except those that don't need the money too much. So where does that leave me? Might give Nick a call next week and see if he'd like to go for a drink, exchange a few ideas.
Still feeling a bit upset and annoyed about the speed camera. I feel I should note down my feelings on this more thougherly, may be of broader help to me. Will do it at the weekend.
Loads have been very gritty so far tonight. Had a high / low moisture pull off about eleven, when I checked the dump gate valve had been left disconnected by Gina, didn't say anything but quite a lot of soft product got through.
I have a very strong feeling that I should put great focus on how I react or indeed don't react to the stress I feel under. I should be careful not to react emotionally to situations that would be different from my norm. The next twenty four hours may well be a test in this, if I have to get through it with little more sleep than I have had. To be serene when all is 'rosy' is I guess quite easy, to remain mental, and focused when things are not going s another matter.
04:20 - Canteen - been quite busy, lot of grit at times, but I'm not feeling tired, bodily tired, but not sleepy tired, then again I think I did actually get around four hours sleep in yesterday. My gut feeling is that I will get 'done' for the speed camera. Can?t see it being a dud in that area.
In the news today ;-
Thu, 26 August, 2004, 10:46 GMT 11:46 UK
Millions plan weekend beach break More than 15 million Britons are hoping for an end to the dismal weather as they head for the coast over the Bank Holiday weekend. England is experiencing its wettest August ever recorded, according to the BBC weather centre. Conditions are predicted to improve but motorists will face disruption on two major motorways, while engineering works will affect rail passengers. However, coastal resorts can still expect an influx of visitors. Fun in the sun A survey, for credit card company Mint, revealed that Brighton was the favoured seaside destination for the millions on the move this weekend. Blackpool was the runner-up with Whitby third. Alton Towers lead the most popular theme park list, ahead of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Legoland, in Windsor. The Lake District was voted the best national park to visit while London, Edinburgh and York were voted the top three locations for a city break. The news is good for those hoping for a break from the gloom as forecasters expect the sun to break through on Saturday and Monday. BBC weather forecaster Sarah Wilmshurst said: "Apart from a blip on Sunday, when rain is predicted, the overall outlook is quite good." That rain is set to fall overnight in the South East and during the day elsewhere. Disruption Much of the West Coast main line - Hemel Hempstead to Lichfield and Manchester to Stockport - will be shut for major engineering works. Direct rail services to and from London, Manchester and Birmingham will be available via alternative Midland Mainline services from St Pancras and Chiltern Railways services from Marylebone. The Great Western Mainline will also close between London Paddington and Reading, Berkshire. Iain Coucher, deputy chief executive of Network Rail, added: "These windows of opportunity are essential to the continued maintenance and renewal needed on the nation's rail infrastructure." Ticketing and platform staff for cross-channel train operator Eurostar will hold a 24-hour strike on Saturday over pay at London Waterloo and Ashford in Kent. But Eurostar said it expected no impact on train services as a result of the strike. 'Plan ahead' On the roads, drivers face 40mph speed restrictions on the western part of the M25 near Heathrow airport while a number of link roads to the Spaghetti Junction on the M6 leading to Birmingham are to close. According to the Highways Agency, roadworks will also remain in place on the M1, M2, M5 and M6. Highways Agency chief executive, Archie Robertson, urged drivers to plan their routes in advance and listen to travel bulletins to check latest conditions. For travellers heading abroad, British Airways - which had to cancel six flights on Thursday - said it was impossible to predict what would happen over the weekend. But chief executive Rod Eddington and 11 other directors have been drafted in to work at Heathrow during the break.
BBC News Online is on the web at bbc.co.uk/news
Thu, 26 August, 2004, 16:08 GMT 17:08 UK
Teenager held over double murder A teenager has been arrested over the double murder of a couple who were shot in their Lincolnshire home. Joan and John Stirland, 53 and 55, were killed in Trusthorpe, where they had moved after their home in Nottingham was attacked. It is thought their deaths could be linked to a murder committed by Mrs Stirland's son, Michael O'Brien. A 19-year-old, from Nottingham, will be questioned by police in Lincolnshire later on Thursday. A second man, also from Nottingham, was arrested in connection with the case on Tuesday after turning himself in at a police station. He was released without charge on police bail while further enquiries are carried out. Car burnt out The couple were killed between 1400 BST and 1430 BST on 8 August, shortly after reporting a prowler to Nottinghamshire Police. A dark Volkswagen Passat, thought to have been used by the killers, was found burnt out two miles from the murder scene. The pair had fled to Trusthorpe after gunmen shot at their home in Nottingham in September 2003. It followed the arrest of Mrs Stirland's son, O'Brien, for the killing of Marvyn Bradshaw outside a Nottingham pub in August last year. O'Brien was convicted and jailed for life in July for the murder. On 2 August, Jamie Gunn, 19, who saw O'Brien kill Mr Bradshaw, died from pneumonia. Mr Gunn's mother Julie, 36, said her son never recovered after witnessing the murder and died "of a broken heart".
BBC News Online is on the web at bbc.co.uk/news
Thu, 26 August, 2004, 15:17 GMT 16:17 UK
Amelie's parents speak of pain The family of murdered French student Amelie Delagrange have said her life was ended by "the mad actions of a predator". The 22-year-old's parents, Jean-Francois and Dominique, and sister Virginie, spoke of their grief after Amelie was bludgeoned to death. She was killed on Twickenham Green, south west London, on 19 August. On Thursday night police are carrying out a reconstruction of her last movements to find more witnesses. In a statement the family, who are in the UK, said: "Her radiance and joy of living, described by her friends, brutally ended at 22 years old by the mad actions of a predator. "The news that we have heard has brought us indescribable pain and has devastated our family." Miss Delagrange had come to London two months ago to improve her English and worked at the Maison Blanc delicatessen in Park Royal, west London. Police have already carried out a dummy run of the reconstruction for the benefit of the media. Miss Delagrange's last footsteps were retraced by Pc Sarah Swift, 29, who was dressed identically in a white zip-up cardigan, red vest top, white three-quarter-length trousers, white backless trainers with a pink stripe and a chain around her neck. She will repeat the reconstruction on Thursday night in the hope witnesses will remember seeing Miss Delagrange's final steps. She had been drinking at Cristalz wine bar with four friends on the evening of her murder. Police said one of her female friends had eye-catching magenta-coloured hair which they believe may have caught the attention of passers-by. Miss Delagrange took a number 267 bus marked Fulwell at 2139 BST to get home. She was supposed to get off the bus three stops later but instead continued for a further four stops until the bus terminated at Fulwell bus garage. CCTV footage shows her looking anxiously out of the window as she realised she was now as far away from Twickenham Green as when she started. After the bus stopped, she spoke briefly with the driver, seemingly to check the direction back to the green. She set off back up the road and was again caught on CCTV at 2151 BST on a camera mounted on the Loch Fyne fish restaurant and oyster bar. Eight minutes later, she was caught on film for the final time 40 yards from the green. Detectives believe she went over a zebra crossing next to a primary school and straddled a 2ft white fence onto the green. From there she could see to the far side, less than 200 yards across a cricket pitch. The killer struck about halfway across the pitch. A statement from Miss Delagrange's family said: "During the emptiness that we feel when thinking of our daughter and sister who was killed in abominable circumstances we would appeal to everyone in and around the local area to help the police with their inquiries."
BBC News Online is on the web at bbc.co.uk/news
Friday 27th August 17:24 - Line 4 plate stand - at least I managed to get here on time this week. Been very busy all day. Left home at 08:15, and got back about 15:20, grabbed about thirty minutes sleep, and here I am. Actually I don't feel that tired. Saw Freda when I came in. She sent me a text last night asking if I could take her to,Skegness the weekend of 18th September. Felt annoyed she would ask this again, considering in effect it takes up nearly all my weekend, but when I saw her I couldn't feel angry. Told her I was going to Blackpool that weekend, which I am, bringing Arthur back. Suggested she look at the train, an idea she had already thought of. I asked if I could use her credit card to buy something off the net, she didn't seem to mind, so I said I'd probably pop round on Sunday. Thinking of buying the 'stop watch' program I down loaded a few weeks ago, which has now expired, and possibly a subscription to coast to coast radio, I think JJ said its $19 for a year. Apparently line five is running all night.
Worked a total of 68 hours this week. Was a good idea to track work and sleep. Will be able to see just what I am earning per hour. My next project should be to track my spending, I might end up having a clear idea of where I am!
19:29 - went on a break 1830 - 19:15 - did most of my invoices. I don't feel tired at all, even I'm surprised at times. From the cheering in the canteen about seven I gather the British, Asian boxer won his latest bought. Paula Radcliffe is due to run in the 1500 meters at eight, lot in the news after she dropped out of the marathon last Sunday. The Olympics haven't bothered me as much a I feared, I think they finish on Sunday. Heard today there is talk of removing weight lifting at some point.
I feel very strongly that I have to keep to some semblance of a plan when I am off next week or I will feel I have wasted the time. I'm optimistic at the moment, hope I stay like that.
Sunday 29th August Just to bring my notes up to date, Paula Radcliffe dropped out of the race on Friday, and today Khan the boxer won a silver medal. Yesterday, Saturday, Kelly Holmes won her second Gold medal by winning the 1500 meters?
Saturday I didn?t get sleep until late, surprisingly I wasn?t that tired and didn?t get to sleep until about 03:00. Got up about 12:45. Went round to see Steph. Looked like I had woken her up, but she eventually invited me in. I left the lap top with her to use whilst I took Rio and Tiggy to the Jungle. On the way back I saw there was a fair on at Abbey park, they were really pleased and seemed to have a great time, although we were only able to stop for about 45 minutes. Rio bottled out of going down a big blow up slide, but Tiggy went down it quite happily!. Rio also backed out of the Helta Skelta, he?s usually ok on that. They seemed to enjoy the Creaky Cottage? And an internal bouncy castle with footballs inside. I dropped them off about 16:40. Steph then set off with them on her bike to go to town. I did at first suggest the Twin Lakes kiddies park, but Steph said they were going there today. Asked if she intended going to the Castle Park again this Bank Holiday Monday, she just said no, take it she has something else planned. Steph bought up the subject of the remaining ?500 she owes me. Since I have often said I don?t want it back and would prefer her to spend it on the kiddies, she asked if she could spend it on a Christmas holiday for them, I off course said that would e ok with me, so hopefully that will be the end of the matter.
Took Peggy up the Westcotes Saturday evening, got there a bit latter than normal, around 19:50, Arthur had just arrived. He played the piano for probably a couple of hours. I recorded him, but haven?t checked it put yet. Charlie told me Arthur has decided not to go to Blackpool again this year (I have got him pencilled in for September 11th?) Made arrangements to see Arthur Tuesday evening, depending upon the weather. The funny thing was, I nearly came home early, just didn?t feel like I wanted to be out. The thought that I don?t have to go to work for another week I think causes me to think there is no need to go out, I can go any night, don?t know if I will make it this evening?
Got up today about noon, had a message from Freda, from about 9:00? Saying I could pop round today at any time, but her mobile was off for a reason, and she was going back to bed for a while, sounds like something has gone off, thinking of going round later this afternoon, she said on Friday I could use her credit card to pay for a few things on the net.
