Thursday 29 June 2017

I only need the eyes!


I bought two plastic flamingos to go in my friend's back garden as they will match their lovely pink umbrella. Here's the conversation I had with the ebay seller when one of them turned up without eyes.
stuartrclark79: Hi, one of the flamingos was missing it's eyes. Do you have any spare???
Homeandgardenproductsuk: We are very sorry and will resend you some more. Please dispose of the faulty one.
stuartrclark79: I only need the eyes!
Homeandgardenproductsuk :We do not have any spare eyes to send to you so the only option we could do was send new flamingos.
stuartrclark79: You don’t need to send me extra flamingos. Two is enough.

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Just call me the rebel without a cause

We've all got new passes to get into the Lloyd's building and have been told to display them at all times using this handy lanyard.  

Nobody tells me what to do so have removed it.

It's interesting to see who else in the company doesn't want to look like they work in IT.  I think it's currently 50/50.



1st Lions Test at the rugby club

Very busy.  I reckon 40% were having a beer at 9am when the bar opened.  Me included despite saying I wouldn't.  A team mate bought a jug so it would be rude not to help him out.  Ended up finishing drinking for the day at 1:30 the next day.  Only 16.5h drinking.  Urgh.  Felt rotten during the drive into London the next morning to visit my old flat mate.  Luckily we were early which game me a little time to walk it off.

Right Said Fred?

Is this Richard Fairbrass out of Right Said Fred?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-40415292/cctv-footage-shows-man-hit-by-bus-in-reading


8.3km

This morning's run. I'm going to hurt later.

Monday 26 June 2017

The daddy

The marinade


The sizzle




The crisp



















The eating.

I made a butterflied leg of harissa lamb on Saturday and cooked it on the bbq.  It turned out great.  I also made some homemade coleslaw (with April's supervision) and some spiced couscous.

Yummy

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Up early this morning

I had a 08:30 hygienist appointment in Kings Cross this morning so caught he 7:11 train.  I usually get the 8:26.  As we were approaching Sevenoaks an announcement was made that the train was going to be delayed and also diverted due to someone being hit by a train. I had nothing else to do but go into work early.  Urgh.

I ended up having to cancel my appointment which cost me an additional £20.  Even worse, the next appointment they had available was even earlier 08:00 on Monday.

I least I got to say hello to Saffie the station cat on the way in.



Monday 19 June 2017

Birthday drinks

  Birthday drinks at the Rock in Chiddingston, where people get round drink driving laws by getting there by horse.  Followed by a few more drinks in the pub garden of the Drum.







A pregnant nun?

The WI took part in Tonbridge's annual parade on Saturday, the theme was 'family'. The WI decided to as the Sound of Music, the Von Trapp family.  




Impromptu BBQ on Saturday

Plus a bonus dog walk!


It's not every day your local MP drops off baby supplies

Our MP dropped off his baby bottle sanitiser on Saturday.  I had a 5 minute chat with him.  Quite surreal.

Biscuit enjoying April's tea



Friday 16 June 2017

Local wildlife on this morning's run




I was disappointed with my run tracking app this morning, it stopped tracking me after about 2km.  Very annoying as that's one of the things I like.  The stats.  Anyway, it was nice to get out, here are some photos.


A squirrel on a bush

River view

Some swans

A coot

Some more swans, but this time with cygnets 

A world war two pillbox
A dog eating a McDonalds
The castle

Wednesday 14 June 2017

My holiday spreadsheet

I know it's fairly obvious to those that know me but just in case you don't, I really like spreadsheets.

Here's my holiday one.  It goes all the way back to 2009.


I love pivot tables even more!


Looks like I have most of my holidays in November although I think that is skewed somewhat by my honeymoon back in 2011.

Tuesday 13 June 2017

This morning's run / walk

My first run in a little while.  I've been setting my alarm an hour early each morning for over a week now, but have finally gotten up to go on the run.  I enjoy it when i'm out and about it's just the 1 minute of thinking time that puts me off.  Will see if I get up again tomorrow.  10k steps already though.


The view of the river underneath the castle


I look surprisingly happy after the first mile.


A lovely day


My shadow


A robin


The route


Zoomed in


Monday 12 June 2017

Just been filling in my blood donor declaration form

And it occurs to me that I've led a very dull life.

Sunday 11 June 2017

We Are Scientists 2017

Tunbridge Wells Forum. Amazing to see a band that size at such a small venue. Brilliant. The support act were great too. The Indigo Queens.

Anyone for a 3 legged race?

My 3 legged race ties have arrived.  The Tonbridge Jamboree will be amazing.


I think that's about all i'm buying for the event.

So far I have...

  • 3 legged race ties
  • Tug of war rope
  • Horseshoes
  • A stopwatch
  • A big measuring tape
  • A couple of whistles
  • Medals
We already have wellies, a rounders bat and ball, and already have a set of boules.  I think that will do.