The Week So Far

Sunday


Pork Scratchings
Sunday was a bit special this week as it was Tootlepedal's 70th  Drop in Birthday Party. The idea was that invited  friends could drop in any time between 4pm and 10pm to join Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal and family celebrate another milestone in Mr T's life. Mr T being involved in a great variety of interests attracted quite a diverse range of friends which made for some interesting conversation. Mrs Tootlepedal and daughter Annie provided the company with some mouthwatering nibbles ( pork scratchings were a big hit I noticed) and a birthday cake that summed up Mr Tootlepedal to a tee.


Monday


Nowt happened worth mentioning.


Tuesday


National Motor Bike Show
Today I was away on a College trip to the NEC Birmingham for the National Motor Bike Show. It was a long journey but well worth the duration if you are into motor bikes, even if you're not you can't help but admire the bikes themselves and understand the passion they create. On the trip last year I asked one of my colleagues  if I was to old to learn to ride a motorbike. He replied " Sandy you're not old to learn but you're to old to fall off!" so that squashed any notion of me becoming a biker. We arrived at exactly at 11:22, I say exactly because I could see the drivers Sat Nav giving the time of arrival which adjusted itself during the journey and sure enough it was spot on.


A Bit of a Panic
After a bit of a panic trying to find our reserved tickets which nobody at the ticket office seemed to know anything about the students were given free reign and were trusted to be back at the  entrance at 3pm . My colleagues Tony, Graham and Dave and myself spent a leisurely day wandering around admiring the wonderful displays and models which you can see in the following photos.

Waiting anxiously

"right! how does the bloody thing start?"

A three wheeled Morgan

Not the most comfortable looking bike

The wheels are ingenuous

Tony 

Dave

One of the rather attractive models

A Small Selection
I've put up a small selection of what was on display but one must admire the quality that was displayed in the arena.


Missing
We all met up as arranged with no one missing except three members of staff ( Yes! I was one) and three students managed to get on the wrong shuttle bus and had an extended tour of the site, It's bloody massive. .


Fraught & Tedious
Young teenagers being cooped up in a confined space made the journey home rather fraught and tedious. We arrived back in Carlisle at approximately 7:30pm, I say approximately because the driver had removed the Sat Nav earlier.

Under Severe Pressure

Longtown Bridge.

Time Management
I've been under severe pressure from Mr Tootlepedal for my lack of blogging of late, I've no excuse as there has been plenty going on so I just need to manage my time better.


On the Archive Front
On the Archive front we were given a collection of about fifty 8mm film reels these are between 50 - 60 years old and contain loads of clips of subjects such as Common Ridings, people, Fire Brigade and other events. These were taken by the late John Little the baker ( Dropscones uncle I think) and passed on to us by Big Bill Harkness. 


A busy time editing
I spent some time trawling the internet looking for a company to transfer them to a digital hard drive. I found a company called Timeless Moments. Apparently they  do a lot of work for the BBC, so if it's good enough for the Beeb it's good enough for Langholm Archives. They did four reels free of charge as a test piece and they came back most satisfactory.  A reasonable deal and price was negotiated and they have now been sent off and we should receive them near to Christmas or into the New Year. I will then have a busy time ahead editing them on to DVD. 


Old Film Reels Appeal
If any off my readers/ followers have any old film reels of Langholm & district please get in touch with me or Mr Tootlepedal. but because of the relatively high cost of the transfer we wouldn't be able to do this as a free service but a donation of some kind to the Archive Centre would be helpful and appreciated. 


College New Build
The College new build is now completed and the students and staff have full access. There is a wonderful new Hair and Beauty Salon "Essence" and a state of the art kitchen and restaurant "Oyster" which will be offering high class themed evening meals in the near future, Budding Chefs is always a favourite and worth a go I believe.

A Fine Bunch

I was recently asked by Billy Young, on behalf of the Castle Craigs Club if I would go up to the Benty and take a photo of this years Cornet and his right and left hand men and other members of CCC along with members of Westerkirk Women's Rural. Apparently this was to mark 50 years of the Rural providing the teas for the Benty Ride out, and a fine bunch they all are.

Birds, Bees & Specsavers

Had to go to Specsavers

Should have Had to go to Specsavers

Due to an unfortunate accident involving one of my hearing aids, I had to make an emergency journey to Specsavers in Carlisle fully expecting to be with out it while it was sent away to get fixed. Fortunately I managed to see the Audiologist without an appointment and as he had the part in stock he had it fixed within 10 minutes. I didn't realise how much I depended on them until now. With only one working I felt a bit unbalanced. (not mentally I may add)

After I had finished at Specsavers I had a look at the recently revamped Castle Street which fore-by the cost I think it is a job well done, tying in the Cathedral, Tullie House and leading to the castle. I believe the new Roman Frontier Gallery in Tullie House is well worth a visit. Let's hope this is a great success and succeeds to bring more visitors into Carlisle.

 All quiet in the city centre

As I walked up through the city centre heading towards Boots to collect some items for a friend it was quite noticeable how quiet the city centre was with very few shoppers going about.

 

 There must be a lot of people away on holiday in Carlisle as it was extremely quiet.

This colourful carousel was in full swing but not many riders.

All quiet in the lanes.

Carlisle College phase 2 rebuild nears completion.

 Swifts Mews

I would imagine that Swifts Mews would serve the grand houses in Victoria Place. Apparently there had been racing on the Swifts since the mid 16th century before moving to the present site at Blackwell in 1904. The Turf Inn was opened in 1840 and also served as the grandstand which you can still see the stand on the top of the building. Anyway mission accomplished I headed for home.

 Tidying up

After a lunch of a Greggs steak slice and sausage roll I set about mowing the lawn and tidying up the garden after the battering it had received over the past week with all the rain we have been getting. I was kept company by one of the woodpeckers on the bird feeder as I mowed away. It dually disappeared when I went to get the camera and cheekily reappeared when I had finished and went in the house. I hadn't had the camera out for a few days due to the weather so I had a wander round the garden taking the odd shot here and there.

A thoughtful looking Robin.

On the honey trail.

I still haven't got the hang of the focusing yet, like Tootlepedal has. I must get more practice. It was nice to see the bees busy at work gathering pollen. 

Delicious

On Monday teatime Jean Hogg kindly arrived with a turkey roast dinner accompanied by an enormous knickerbocker glory. Which I must say, they were very much appreciated. My tummy was drum tight for hours after. "Delicious". 

Tonight's tea was courtesy of Ena Baxter

Jean Hogg v Ena Baxter

No contest

Boys Brigade Camps

On Tuesday I scanned some slides of Boys Brigade camps that took place back in the sixties. These were loaned to the Archive  Group by Gavin Graham. When I finished them I emailed them to Gavin who is in Salt lake City visiting his son and family for him to add names and dates. I see he wasted no time in blogging them Gavin's Blog and seemed to very pleased with the result

A Look Back

Happiness

Into Gear
One good thing about blogging is that you can look back and see what you have been doing with your life without having to put your memory into gear which is what I'm going to have to do to reflect over the past twelve months as I didn't start blogging until October.

A Bad Start

The start of the year wasn't too good for me as I ended up in hospital between Christmas and New Year with blood clots on my lungs, which has led me to taking warfarin on a long term basis. This kept me off work until the mid term break in February. I used the time to catch up with some reading and Archiving. If my memory serves me well the weather was atrocious at the start of the year with lots of snow, and it seem to be going out with the same icy grip it started with.

The Stress of Moving

My son Neil and his family moved from Port Seton to Haddington in March. This was quite stressful for them as they moved on a Friday and were due to go on holiday to Haggerston Castle on the Saturday. This apparently wasn't a bad move (forgive the pun) as it gave them a chance to relax and face the task of unpacking when they got back. They all seem to have settled in well. Joe and Sandy liking their new school and nursery.
 

A Milestone Year
This was a milestone year me as I reached Bus Pass age in June. Anne organised a surprise barbecue for me with Neil, Kate and the boys to be in attendance, but she gave the game away slightly when she started stocking the fridge with some of Joe and Sandy's favourite goodies. I had a marvellous day. Tickets to see Jools Holland at Carlisle racecourse and a whole load of tools from the Gill family.

Best Ever

Common Riding was much the same as usual " the best ever!" again, but as usual it is not to be missed. I must admit though I had a super night on the Summer Fair with one of my oldest friends, Cliff Bell and his brother Kenny. Unfortunately Kenny had to leave us early as he couldn't stand the pace.

A New Kitchen

There were no holidays this year as we decided to put a new kitchen in. This was planned for a couple of years ago but was postponed because of personal circumstances but it was well worth the wait. Ross Calvert was charged with the task of installing the kitchen ably assisted by Craig and Gary. All we had to do was choose what style we wanted, Ross then drew out a design to replace the existing kitchen. Everything was then left in his hands, from organising delivery of the units to arranging for plumbers and electricians to appear at the appropriate times. I must pay tribute to the quality and service that Ross, Craig and Gary gave us, I would recommend them any time.

A Summer Party
David Stevenson hosted a summer party in June at the Buccleuch Centre. This was an evening with Aled Jones and Friends. Friends being Haley Westerna and Sharon Core. David had successfully bid for this on the previous Children in Need Show on the BBC. I was invited along to take a few photos.  And had the pleasure of listening to some wonderful entertainment.

This basically brings things up to date as I have just realised I only have to cover 9 months as the other three are on my blog.

So here's to all my family and friends and fellow bloggers A HAPPY NEW YEAR too you  all.

January

Browhouses. February

Carlisle Actives visit to Watchtree Nature Reserve. March

Craig Windmills April

Carlisle College Hair and Beauty awards at Carlisle Cathedral. May

June Poppy

Jools Holland Carlisle racecourse in July

Anne and Irene at Samye Ling. August

September

Fred Bell. October

November

December

 For Bar a true friend