In My Opinion

Fish and Fireworks

2010-10-31T18:54:00.001Z

Nice day for a ride out on Maud. Went to Dobbies at Lisburn bought some new fish. Got back and introduced them to their new home. Then got changed, got the beer, a torch and my camera ready, then headed up the Cavehill to watch the fireworks. I know you are thinking you don't need beer to watch the fireworks, true... But ... We just fancied a beer (The boys) anyway the photos looked in focus to me.....

Honey I'm Homeeeeeeee

2010-10-30T10:43:00.001+01:00

Great flight home with Thomas Cook, 20 minutes early at good old Belfast International. Then the dreaded words were heard. "Lets go to Tescos" ...... AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Last Day

2010-10-29T23:22:00.005+01:00

Last day of the holiday arrived with a hangover, so glad the ladies wanted to have a final morning in Bodrum to gather some last minute presses.
Started off with breakfast and the finishing of the packing (My LSD had most of it already done while I was enjoying my last night in the bar). Checked out and then a short walk to the activities area for the airgun tournament. (Wish I’d brought my balaclava)
Us, English, German and an Italian, no not an re-enactment of you know what. I couldn’t hit a cow on the arse with a big stick. Son-in-law did ok but everyone was out gunned by the English lady, I didn’t mind but think the rest had their male pride dented.
The girls came back just in time for lunch, then we all hit the Spa. Swim and Steam room etc. A relaxing evening in the bar after dinner, we got picked up around 22.45 to take us to Bodrum Airport.
On the whole the holiday was fantastic, and the Rixos Bodrum was the best hotel I’ve ever stayed at.

Bodrum & Gumbet

2010-10-28T23:25:00.002+01:00

Caught the bus to Bodrum and then Gumbet. It was like stepping back in time. Reminded me of a visit to the Port (Portrush) when I was young. One street of shops, and tac ones at that, but they did have Tescos. Got fed up with the shop owners tring to mimic our accents and trying out the "Aye dead on and "Bout yee" sayings. No doubt some airhead who has been drinking on an empty head has thought it funny to pass on their Belfast sayings. I left them with a gem of a one that they can use next season "Shut the **** up"
Back to Bodrum and decied to get a Turkish shave. I was unaware that I had paid for the services of the Butcher of Bodrum who drew blood, a little scratch but drew my red stuff still the same. Time for a few pints...
Heading back to the bus I saw this little cat with what looked like a broken paw. I sat on the kerb to see it and it jumped up onto my knee. It was lovely and did indeed have a gammy paw but seemed to have it under control and never showed any sign of being in pain. Bless it...

AFD

2010-10-27T23:30:00.000+01:00

Alcohol free day today. (Can’t afford to have two red cards in a row) Relaxed again at the Spa while the women went into Bodrum shopping. Had a full body aromatherapy massage this afternoon. 50% of Spa prices. The beautiful girl came around the pool offering this discount, how could one refuse. I waited until it was my turn thinking?.. (Well, maybe it’s better if we don’t go there)...
I lay waiting for my masseur, OMW, the door opened and this person with the body of an Olympic athlete walked into the treatment room. Unfortunately it was a body of a Russian shot-putter. What made even scarier was...... it was a guy. 70 minutes later, after the best ever rub down I’ve had, I felt great.
My little swamp duck tried to get me to take a drink all night but,I stuck to my guns just to make her feel bad.. Reverse physiology... works every time
Bet tomorrow I could have beer for breakfast without as much as a sideward glance.... I’ll give it a go and let you know...lol

Market Day Turkish Style

2010-10-26T22:31:00.001+01:00

Headed into Bodrum for the infamous Tuesday market. From the minute we go off the bus we were confronted with great sayings from the many many marketeers. Cheap as chips, cheaper than Matalan, cheaper than Asda, cheaper than Primark, cheap shite and the one that did shock me, Cheaper than your Paki shop. (Honest, I could not believe one of the stall owners said the last remark) Had a laugh around the market as the sellers fleaced some of the unsuspecting tourists.
On into Bodrum after the market for some free internet and a couple of beer. Ladies went around the more pricey shops and spent some cash. Son in law went for a Turkish shave.
On return to the hotel found out our boat trip tomorrow has be cancelled due bad weather coming. The good news is it will brighten up in the afternoon. Got a new T shirt .......

Chillaxing

2010-10-25T09:58:00.000+01:00

Up at first light and down to the island for a relaxing read of my Chris Evans book. Passing the pool I noticed ye old beach towels already on four of the sun loungers. (The master race up before me)
A little overcast at first but never the less, a fantastic start to the day. Lazed about the hotel complex and took some photos while my LSD went to the Spa
Snorkelling after lunch (Old wives tale about swimming after food) great fun and more fish to see than the time I was in the Caribbean. Then I decided to cross another item off my bucket list. JET SKIING, son-in-law and I got two JS’s for fifteen minutes. Only rules were to stay at least 300 meters from anything. Done and dusted, and at 60 knots felt like my arse was sucking the jet ski up. GREAT FUN.
Tomorrow is market day in Bodrum so heading in so my LSD can play her skill of getting bargains. Me, beer and internet will be order of the trip.

Bath Time

2010-10-24T19:40:00.003+01:00

Got to spent a little longer than normal in bed this morning. Up at around 08:30 and out for a stroll before breakfast. Had decided today I’d try and be partly good with regards to food, it lasted until breakfast. So much food here, the mind was strong but the body weak so I ate as if there is no tomorrow.
Picked up by minibus, to take us to our Turkish bath at Rayola Turkish Bath Complex about 20 minutes from our hotel. All I can say is WOW. On arrival we were taken to a room to be welcomed and told about other services that were available.(lol, yeah I thought that too)Anyway, I went for the extra massage and Turkish shave which was at least 50 Tlr (£25) cheaper than the spa at the hotel. AMAZING, it was fantastic. Felt like a new person (But, that wasn’t included in the price.. boom boom..lol)Got the minibus driver to drop us off in Bodrum so we could do a recce for the up and coming visit to the market on Tuesday.
Found a cafe with Wi-Fi (And Kebabs) to check out Facebook and update the blog. A few pints later I didn’t care about the WWW.Caught the #2 bus (Mini) which is the one for the Rixos. Onboard were other people including a few Jocks and this clampet from the Antrim Road who would only talk about the Old Firm game. (Shit I just didn’t need while on holiday) Soon sorted with a few sarcastic lines, by the time they got off, I felt I’d done a great job. (Much to the anger of my widdle swamp duck) I didn’t start the crap, but I did finish it in true Grumpyhead style...lol.
Back to the hotel to have a couple of beer, freshen up and go for dinner...

The Rixos, Bodrum

2010-10-23T20:24:00.001+01:00

Arrived Bodrum Airport and a quick exit to our transport to the Rixos.

I know it’s the early hours, but have to have a dander. Mic and I went to the bar had a couple then down to check the beach out. Even at 4am and in the dark, it still was stunning.

Back to my room and got the loaf down. This is such a fantastic place.
So far today alls I’ve done is swim, eat, drink, sleep, eat, drink, drink, drink, play pool, swim in the pool and take photos, oh yes and eat.

Tomorrow we go for a Turkish bath.... can’t wait..........

Turkey Here We Come

2010-10-22T18:19:00.000+01:00

Started off with waking at 05.10. I tried to get back to sleep but not possible as the thought of the travel to Turkey tonight was so exciting. Got out of bed leaving my little swamp duck sleeping her widdle head off. Bless her.After checking my fish (Two passed away this week) I made myself a cuppa and checked Facebook out. (Yep sad I know) but chatted to my mate Jay. The early bird catches the worm.. but then again, the second mouse gets the cheese.

After a WS&S I got ready for my walk into town to get a haircut. Stopped off at Harlem cafe for yet another cuppa. Head cut (Yes I know) met the Son-In Law then off for breakfast to the Avoca. After my breakfast bap it was back home to finish off packing.
Been years since I’ve had to do a school run but today was the day. Picked my teacher daughter up at her East Belfast School then back to ours to break open the Cava before the taxi arrived to take us to the Belfast (Sort-of) International Airport. Steve the driver was a man after my own heart, he hated every other driver on the road. (My type of guy).

Had checked in online so was just a case (Ha ha Case) of dropping the cases off at the desk and getting to departures. Yeah right, the women before us had to open their cases and cross load stuff so there was no surcharge for overweight luggage.
So that plan never worked.I’m all in favour of top level security BUT, took the shoes off etc etc and forgot about my belt. The red light flashed and I then got everything bar the total strip search. I didn’t mind, only the guy said “Don’t be embarrassed sir, an erection is normal after a search like this” I said “WHAT, I don’t have one of those”. He replied “Who said anything about you” (Only joking BTW)
Anyway straight to the bar for a drink, £19 +, at least Dick Turpin wore a mask. Bought some chocolates for the flight. Waited on the tarmac for an hour for a driver topush the plane back off it's stand. (Well it is Belfast)
On the flight now just over and passing the IOM (Isle Of Man). Champagne delivered (3 bottles) and the ladies are happy. Brownie Points earned (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED)
Roll on Turkey, Grumpyhead is on his way.

Facebook

2010-07-31T07:00:00.000+01:00

Almost everyone I know has a Facebook account. I've had one for years but have recently binned it. Social networking is fantastic, but what I found with Facebook it is getting more like unsocial networking. NO I don't want to be part of your Mafia wars family, and as sure as hell I don't want to give you a brick to build a barn in Farmville and I really don't care if you have loads of chickens. Ok Ok I know there is the hide function, but by the time you hide one thing another one appears. It's fun I know (For those with with little else to do) but on the more serious side of things, we have seen Facebook come under a lot of criticism over certain pages, one very recently created to praise and remember a cold blooded killer.

Increasingly more and more people seem to be using Facebook as a diary... posting comments what can only be described as very personal information. I've seen it range from bitching about their employer, their work colleagues and even worse their family. All sorts of private stuff that has no business outside a family home. In my opinion, choose your friends wisely, don't just accept all requests... there are really some head melter's out there.... believe me..

Ardoyne Riot Suspects July 2010

2010-07-30T20:05:00.002+01:00

PSNI (Police Service Nearly Interested) need the help of the public (Why does that not surprise me) to identify 14 people they want to speak to in connection with rioting in Ardoyne earlier this month.
Officers came under sustained attack from people throwing bricks and wielding metal bars and planks on the evening of 12 July. The trouble in Ardoyne continued for another two evenings.

DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THESE FACES ?

Is it just my opinion that they should have arrested these guys the first night and taken them off the streets so they wouldn't have been available for rioting the following nights ?????

Soft Justice

2010-07-27T13:19:00.001+01:00

Once again, scum have gotten off lightly. Oh dear, they had a rough upbringing.... What about the poor man who died in front of his granddaughter......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10737347

Drink Anyone?

2010-07-23T13:28:00.001+01:00

I don't fancy this as a tipple of me.... What about you

So That's How It's Done

2010-07-22T07:00:00.002+01:00

Don't you just always wonder how tricks are done, sorry, magic. Well watch these two guys, Penn & Teller, they are magic....

Want to see more?

A Mid-Week Laugh

2010-07-21T07:00:00.000+01:00

We all need laughter to get by. Laughter is an instance vacation.
NEED LAUGH CLICK HERE

Gis-A-Job

2010-07-20T07:00:00.009+01:00

Read this in the Mail online, wouldn't mind offering my services as a volunteer for this sort of factfinding if I thought it would save the tax-payer some money. Total discrace how these councils get away with such wastage of funds.

Oh Dear I'm Dead

2010-07-19T20:47:00.003+01:00

Two emails in the one day regarding money. This one say's I died last week... read on:

From Mr.Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, IMFInternational Montary Fund Office.Telephone #: +44-702-406-2839Email:andrewtweedieimf@aol.com
Greetings,
Your name appeared among the list of unpaid (Contractors, Inheritance next of kin and lottery payment/ATM beneficiaries that was originated from American, Europe, Asia plus Middle east and Africans) among the list of individuals and companies that your unpaid Inheritance/Contract sum has been approved and you will receive a part-payment of US$12.5 million, You are requested to get back to me for more direction and instruction on how to receive your Inheritance fund.
However, we received an email from one Dr.Saipul Bahri who told us that he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last week
Dr. Saipul Bahri, account his co-ordinate as follows:Bank of IndonesiaA/c no: 890458984589Routing No: bl 275-79665Aba no: BL-ANAJFG-FLBeneficiary: Dr Saipul Bahri
Note that we are bound to recognize Dr. Saipul Bahri claim, if you fail to promptly respond to this email we sent to you following the Deed of Assignment he submitted and his account co-ordinate authorizing him to claim this payment.
He has also submitted his International Passport,Photo Id with his birth certificate with his account details for us to transfer the fund to him.But We want to hear from you before we can make the transfer to confirm if you are dead or not and make sure that you are aware of this developments so reply us with your email contact address and your direct cell phone number for easy communication and more details.
Once again, I apologize to you on behalf Of IMF (International Monetary Fund) http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/memdir/officers.htm failure to receive your funds in time, which according to records in the system had been long overdue. Pls reply through Director Finance Department Email:andrewtweedieimf@aol.comPlease call immediately on #: +44-702-406-2839 Or provide us with your email address for further details.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Andrew TweedieDirector Finance DepartmentOn behalf of Mr.Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, IMF

(I wonder if this is genuine?... My arse)

The Return

2010-07-19T13:07:00.003+01:00

I have decided to blog again on a regular basis now that I've binned Facebook. (Story to follow soon)
I have come into some money, so I'm letting everyone know... I recieved the following email to tell me the great news.

ST.JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH
DEAR FRIEND, GOOD DAY,I' M REVEREND SISTER MARY JOSEPH FROM ST.JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH LONDON ENGLAND. IT'S VERY PATHETIC THAT WE LOST REV.FATHER JOE-BONO OF ST.JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH LONDON ENGLAND.LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO IS AN AMERICAN AND ALSO AN ORPHAN BUT NATIONALISED HERE IN ST.JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH LONDON ENGLAND. LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO DIED ON 5TH December 2009 AND BEFORE HE DIED,HE MADE A WILL. I' M GLAD TO INFORM YOU THAT LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO MADE YOU THE BENEFICIARY OF HIS WILL A SUM OF {300,000.00 three hundred thousand pounds} THROUGH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING HOW LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO MADE YOU THE BENEFICIARY OF HIS WILL. LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO MADE A RANDOM SAMPLING OF THREE PEOPLE E-MAIL ADDRESSES BY THE HELP OF MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL FIRM AND AMONG THE THREE PEOPLE E-MAIL ADDRESSES,YOURS CAME OUT AS A DRAW AND THIS IS HOW LATE REV.FATHER JOE-BONO MADE YOU THE BENEFICIARY OF HIS WILL. FORWARD THE DETAILS BELOW TO ME SO THAT I CAN FORWARD IT TO THE BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON UK FOR THE RELEASE OF YOUR FUNDS.
1,FULL NAME.
2,CONTACT ADDRESS.
3,COUNTRY.
4,AGE AND OCCUPATION.
5,PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER.

I AWAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU TODAY.
BEST REGARDS GOD BLESS YOU.

REV.SISTER MARY JOSEPH.

HOME

2010-05-01T00:01:00.000+01:00

Heading Home

2010-04-30T14:23:00.000+01:00

Last day in Cyprus. Coach picked us up this afternoon then off to Larnaca International Airport. Had hotel breakfast, then sat poolside until pick up... Weather overcast and stormy looking, but hopefully no problems and flight will be on time. (Went online and according to flight stats the flight is indeed on time)

I'll relax and believe it when I've my seat belt on looking out the Eurocyria 737 - 800 window en route home ......

Paralimni

2010-04-29T08:55:00.008+01:00

Took it easy with a trip to the local village of Paralimni. TAXI !!! costs 12€ plus tip (My tip was, stop using your mobile phone while driving well over the speed limit) anyway, took the taxi as the bus service this time of year is a hit and miss. Taxi dropped us off outside a jewelers near the main square, the driver told us that the owner of the shop was his cousin and he would give us discount and when we wanted a taxi back just to ask his cousin to give him a call and he would come back and collect us . Very nice of him I thought but one white knuckle ride a day is all I can take thank you.
There are two large modern churches in Paralimni and a small 13th – century church which now stands in the centre of a traffic roundabout. There are some lovely coffee shops by the square to sit and people watch, or should I say traffic watch….
My little swamp duck loved the thought that there was a Marks and Spencers at the square (20th – century) I love it too as it was closed and moved to another place where I’d no intention of going to.
Got some local knowledge about the bus service and it was running on the hour every hour. Caught the bus 1.5€, what did totally piss me off that when the bus stopped tourists came from everywhere and surrounded the door way pushing and shoving to get on first. What I could make out of the accents they were mostly Germans followed by Italians (Nothing new there then) I did voice my opinion on their ignorance and I’m sure most understood but none was willing to reply to my comments. (I did see the driver smile)
What’s a holiday without a visit to a local supermarket (My LSD thinks) while finding out where the bus stop was she had also ascertained the location of a supermarket on the bus route back. A shopping we did go…..
Back to Pernera and into Mojitos for dinner and a few glasses of bubbly. Back to the hotel a little rest and then a stroll along the seafront pathway for an evening coffee before heading back to be well and truly beaten at jack change it………

A Life On The Ocean Wave

2010-04-28T18:10:00.000+01:00

Got to stay in bed a little longer today. Up at 8am to head for our day out on a catamaran. I was really looking forward to it, snorkeling, kayaking, drinking, oh yes, it was the VIP cruise I’d booked for my little swamp duck and I.
Picked up by coach and taken to our departure point. Only around 30 people onboard so loads of space… Had a few beer before going onto the cocktails. First to view Famagusta Bay. It was starting to heat up so the catamaran anchored at Green bay for a 20 minute swim stop. I hung back to see the expression on peoples faces as they jumped into the water….glad I did, it confirmed my suspicions that the water was cold. I’ll wait until we stop at Konnos bay. On the way there the captain let me have ago at the helm (Steering wheel) It was great fun, but there was nothing much I could have hit out there any way.
Dropped anchor again now it’s time for kayaking, only one person so far going for it so here goes…. Wee buns, had a great time but back to the cat to let someone else go. (Nobody was interested in doing it until they saw I could do it, then there was a queue for the two kayaks onboard…
Got my snorkel gear on and into the water, equipped with my camera and water tight camera pouch. Wow… underwater there was sand and more sand to photograph, but then again there beer back at the cat. Back on for a lovely lunch, followed by cocktails. Time to kayak again…. Going well and I spots a speed boat coming around the bay so I went to side of the cat away from the wake…. Safe my arse, in I went (Think the sea term is capped sized) Grab the oar, the kayak, my camera, hope my sun glasses don’t fall off or my contacts come out and swim back to the cat… (Did I feel cat with everyone watching)
A fantastic day had by all…….

Coach Trip

2010-04-27T23:00:00.000+01:00

Up very early (Daft O’Clock) watched the sunrise before walking to a nearby pick up point for our coach trip to the Troodos Mountains and Nicosia. A fantastic trip which visits quaint villages and a look at the worlds only divided capital of Nicosia.
Aircon all the way, we were the first pick up (Along with eight holiday reps on their training course (MSBs)
Then after pick ups in Protaras, Agia Napa and Larnaka we headed for Lefkosia (Nicosia) for a brief stop before making our way to the hills.
The photo was taken out of a window on the sixth floor of Debenhams in Nicosia…. Honest. If you look closely at the photo you can see the Turkish flag embedded into the hillside (Long story)
So many tourists in the divided capital, a walking tour was in progress as we walked through and I heard a guide say something about Venatians while pointing to some structure. I just had to say it “If it wasn’t for the Venatians it would be curtains for everyone” (I know, old but gold)
Up the mountain for lunch and few stops on the way down, what a fantastic day. Saw a big part of the island and learnt a lot about the history. On a scale of one to ten it has to be a ten.

Holiday First Aid Kit

2010-04-25T23:59:00.000+01:00

A perfect holiday essential, don't you just love it.

Roll on more nights

What a Place

2010-04-25T23:05:00.000+01:00

Woke up this morning and decided to head out and get my little swamp duck something nice from the local bakery for breakfast. (Closed, it’s Sunday) walked for ages and had to return empty handed. She forgave me… Down to the hotel pool for a swim and make a buck eijit of myself getting onto a lylo, (Who gives a friar tuck. I’m on hol)
Missed the welcome meeting yesterday so thought we’d catch it today. (Only because we saw the rep when we were in the bar) Booked a trip for tomorrow to the Troodas Mountains and Nicosia, also booked a Catamaran Leisure Cruise for Tuesday (Fun in the sun).
Had a pint in the hotel bar then booked a taxi to take us into Pataras. Had a dander around Fig Tree bay, a few pints and then dinner. Taxi back to hotel (Up at daft O Clock in the morning for the tour) had a coffee in the bar before heading to the room to update the blog, oh yes and open a bottle of the sparkly stuff.
My little swamp duck suggested we have a game of scrabble on our balcony . I had the smart ass feeling I can’t lose so I said yeah… great idea. I’ve never beaten her before but just had this feeling tonight’s the night. Was I wrong or was I wrong…. I was in front with a good few points, early in the game I’d put LATE which was a double score word. My LSD added the letters TRANS which took the word score to 60 (Two double word scores) GAME OVER
Another thing that has caused me concern is a sign I saw in the hotel elevator… my family will know why…lol

First Full Day

2010-04-24T23:59:00.001+01:00

Day one for real. On an island we’ve never been to before so lets test the water. Water, that’s the thing, let get bottled water, drink fec all out of a tap (Unless it’s beer of course). Had a lovely stroll into Protaras along the coastal path to buy odds and ends (Water, Cava and Red Wine) had a few pints in various bars there then back to the hotel. (By taxi, thanks George €7) then siesta time.
Was awakened by birds singing the afternoon chorus, and some youngsters playing by the pool below.
Up showered and out for dinner. Had researched online places to eat before traveling. One of the top places for our area was Mojito bar and grill. It did what it said on the tin. Great food and a fantastic atmosphere. Booked again for later in the week.
Tomorrow who knows what’s instore for us. One thing that is freaking me out is that used toilet paper (YES, USED) has not to be flushed down the normal route. It goes into a special pedal bin beside the loo (SPECIAL, WHAT A LOAD OF DUNG)

Enroute

2010-04-24T09:54:00.000+01:00

So, arrived at Belfast Intertrashional Airport for our Eurocypria flight to Larnaca. Could not wait to reach the airport. Left home really early (Now there’s a surprise) and was first to check in,. then security (Belts off, Jackets off, cheesed off etc where the staff were very pleasant unlike George Best Belfast Shity Airport, where the staff could do with training in how to smile and be civil) departures here I come. Fancied a look in Currys at the duty free. NO Currys. In fact the place was nearly in the close down mode @ 21.00 (9 o’clock for those who don’t know) made it to the bar which I can only describe as: It made JD’s look like the Merchant.
After a couple of top of the range Magners on through to Duty Free we went. Better value in Tescos believe me.
Gate 21 I’ll head there with my little swamp duck. (Seeing that’s where the plane is boarding from.) More cider but this time served by a very pleasant young barman. Started to people watch and had clocked this middle aged blonde earlier in the first bar boring the dung out of this young guy sitting at the next table to her. Oops, she's on our flight and she has now captured a young couple and giving them her thoughts on the Volcanic Ash subject. I could see the young lady was not impressed and the guy more or less told blonde to shut it as his girl is not a great flyer.
Boarding onto our Eurocyprot 737 – 800 was fast. Brill, in our seats 2a & 2b and no one beside us. Time to relax.. ANNONCEMENT “For your in-flight entertainment you can purchase headphones at €4, please do not use your own headphones as they may interfere with the planes system” (Interfere with profits more likely)
Anyway at this time of typing we are well and truly airborne, the seatbelt light has been turned off, those who forgot to go to the loo before boarding, are now queuing, some with their legs well crossed., and the trolley dolly is on her way up the aisle, (I suppose you could say I’m sad, as I do have my Advent netbook with me, and other travelers (Passengers) are looking at me as if I’ve two heads. But I do want to blog about my holiday)
We’ve just popped our first bottle of Lanson Champaign, (I live a champagne lifestyle on a diet coke wage) I just love holidays….
The flight has been airborne now for over an hour and I can see land below covered with many lights, not a cloud in the sky I recon we are somewhere over England (Smart ass me)
Dinner is served. Be right back.
4 am now (Local time) wherever that is, we had our meal ages ago (Chicken, veg and potato wedges (Nice). After a couple of episodes of Still Game on my ipod (so funny) I thought I’d continue the blog as I can’t sleep. Listening to the Priests now, would love to put it on the loud speaker to freak the rest of the passengers out… they really are a sour bunch, well the ones I can see when I look back.
Quote of the flight goes to my LSD, I got up from my seat and she asked “Are you going to the loo” I had to reply “No, I’m nipping outside for a smoke” The guy in front of me started to laugh which didn’t go down to well with you know who. I’d love to have a sleep but I’m too excited.
Unless there are any developments from now till we land (Touchdown) I’ll not type anymore… don’t want to bore you too much, not yet anyway………633 words will do for now….

New Weapon

2010-03-20T00:23:00.001Z

The latest non-lethal weapon to be developed is a hand grenade for crowd control. I read this article on the website ananova. The grenade is loaded with ground seeds from the Bhut Jolokia, which is officially recognised as the worlds hottest chilli by Guinness World Records.

I have tried those chilli seeds in a curry, believe me when I say "it became a weapon of ASS destruction" ......

Walking with the Wounded

2010-03-19T18:00:00.004Z

The first unaided trek to the North Pole by disabled servicemen are to be announced by Prince Harry. This is to raise funds for the charity that help servicemen who have been disabled while serving their Queen and Country.
Two Questions:

WHY is a charity needed?
WHY are MY taxes not going to help them instead.

The answer to both these questions: The Government

They would rather spend MY taxes on the drug dealing scum and the like in our prisons, giving them three square meals a day, educating them, entertaining them and giving them a roof over their head. (It must be hard for them)

They would rather spend my taxes on the scum that assault old people and the like who have never worked a day in their life (Or are likely to) by giving them legal aid so they can either be set free to offend again or better still, give them three square meals a day, educate them, entertain them and give them a roof over their head.

A fine is a tax for being bad
A tax is a fine for being good

I wish the guys all the very best for their trek...........

Who Could Blame Him

2010-03-01T19:00:00.006Z

If you haven't already heard the story: A Royal Marine who's dad won £45.6 million on the lott ery has opted out to fight the Taliban rather than live in luxury. According to the HM Forces.co.uk.

That was last November

The Sun ran a different story today according to them he is to quit
And good on the lad, that's what I say. He's been there done it, I wonder how many of those who critise his move have done what this lad has already done..... (or are likely too) .......very very few I recon.....

Our Justice System

2010-02-27T21:39:00.002Z

Day and daily we hear and read about our justice system. Some days they get it right and some days (well most) they get it wrong. I read two stories in today's Daily Mirror (page 35).
The first was about the charity box thieves who used their tot as a decoy to steal poppy tins. The judge Julian Hall gave a suspended jail term and a supervision order at the court in Oxford.
A former soldier in Lemington Spa (Who served in Ulster and Iraq) snapped when two youths (The PC way to describe two little shits) confronted him with a knife outside his home. He whipped out a machete and told them " That's what you call a knife" he threatened to cut the yobs up. The terrified scum fled (Now there's a surprise) but the former solider admitted using threatening words and behaviour and possessing a knife in public. He was given a four month suspended prison sentence and a 100 hours community service.
Makes you proud of the system....

Change Coming Soon

2009-11-07T00:54:00.003Z

Blog to change direction.... Instead of "In My Opinion" it will Be "News, as I see it" I will be looking at the daily news and putting my thoughts on it... What you recon..... (You know I don't care what anyones thinks...lol)

Beware Of Men In Mini Skirts

2009-10-08T22:17:00.004+01:00

Two drunken louts in Swansea got their comeuppance when they picked on who they thought were ladies on a night out. They turned out to be cage fighters dressed for a stag do.

We All Get Old

2009-09-29T16:36:00.004+01:00

Remember, we all get old. Hope this video is thought provoking

Belleek Weekend

2009-09-27T19:30:00.025+01:00

Went to Belleek in County Fermanagh. The weather was fantastic, drink flowed like Lough Erne, craic was mighty, but the Hotel ???? ... how could I describe it.... I'll put it like this, it would make Faulty Towers look light a Hilton ....

Relaxing

2009-09-26T06:04:00.006+01:00

Up early yesterday had a short walk then got the 7am bus into town. I wanted to take some photos of the City Hall first thing, before heading down to St Georges Market (And all this before work) I have to say it was so relaxing.

I was in the City Hall grounds snapping away when I was approached by a man who started randomly talking about how the Belfast wheel was built, and then progressed on to talk about how the pyramids were built. He gave me his thoughts about the death and hard labour connected with the construction of pyramids and how the labour of today can't do anything without a forklift truck and a crane. (A glimmer of truth in that) Remember, I'm there to relax and I'm trying to get use to my new camera.

He then asked me what I thought of the pyramids, I told him I disagreed with him, as the Martians built the pyramids... it done the trick... No more questions....No more man..

Hope you like the photo's.....

Yee Grand Old Opera House

2009-09-25T06:43:00.002+01:00

My little swamp duck and I went to the GOH in Belfast last night to see Annie. A great production with Sue Pollard in the role of Miss Hannigan.
The show started at 19:45 (Quarter to eight) about 10 - 15 minutes into the show these six dames (Yes, they did look as if they were out of a panto) came waltzing in and three of them sat in the seats in the row directly in front of us. They shuffled about to make themselves comfortable, took their coats off and then.... took their mobiles out and started to text..... (I had thought they were going to turn them off).. then they starting talking .... one of the phones rang and they answered the call and started talking... All while the show was going on... That was it.....

I asked them was there any chance of me hearing the show, the one in the middle turned around to start a staring contest with me. (She abused the privilege of being ugly let me tell you) It lasted about 4 secs, I Won. They didn't open their cake hole the rest of the night, it was obvious they don't often get out.

I enjoyed the show anyway

Only In America

2009-09-23T08:31:00.000+01:00

Is it a shaggy dog story ????

Light Trails

2009-09-22T07:49:00.001+01:00

Don't get much time to blog at the moment so I'll just stick the odd photo up in the mean time... I tried my hand at light trails......

An Obituary Printed In The Times

2009-09-17T08:28:00.000+01:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies ( don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and should you do so the burglar would sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

Cruise Ship

2009-09-06T15:21:00.000+01:00

Royal Caribbeans "Jewel of the Seas" made a visit to the Port of Belfast. Met a few of the passengers (Americans) doing some shopping in our very own shopping mall (Castle Court)

A Day For Transport

2009-09-05T18:09:00.002+01:00

What a lovely day it was, sun shinning so off to the Folk and Transport Museum for a while. Viewed loads of old modes of transport trams, trolley buses and Steam trains to name a few. Over to view yee old cottages etc at the folk part. A great day in all, but what put the icing on the cake was the fly past of the Airbus A380 over the George Best City Airport en-route to the Airport at Portrush. The plane did two low level fly pasts,.... looked awsome...

Wee Joke For The Weekend

2009-09-04T19:42:00.002+01:00

An English man & an Irish man are driving head on at night, on a twisty dark road. Both are driving too fast for the conditions & collide on a sharp bend in the road. To the amazement of both they are unscathed, though their cars are both destroyed. In celebration of their luck, both agree to put aside their dislike for the other from that moment on. At this point the Irish man goes to the boot and fetches a 12year old bottle of Jameson whiskey. He hands the bottle to the English man, whom exclaims,'' May the English & the Irish live together forever in peace, and harmony.'' The English man then tips the bottle and lashes half of it down.
Still flabbergasted over the whole thing, he goes to hand the bottle to the Irish man, whom replies:
...... "Nah thanks, I'll just wait till the Garda get here"

Diet Drink

2009-09-03T21:04:00.002+01:00

I do enjoy the odd diet drink to quench the thirst and help with the calorie count. This guy in Florida (That's in the USA, if you've never heard of it) found something odd in his can of Diet P.

I wonder how many calorie's it added.....

500 students disciplined in year

2009-09-02T21:16:00.008+01:00

The post title is a headline of a BBC NI News web page... I posted on the subject of some of the student ASB (Anti-social behaviour) back in June (12th, Police Appeal).
The following is a quote from the page.

"The university is being very active in terms of the discipline - now there
are cases still ongoing - but there is a very strong disciplinary message going
out,"
What I would like to know, what were the fines ????? (In my opinion, I bet they were not enough)

New Pledge of Allegiance (USA)

2009-08-29T20:15:00.004+01:00

Recieved an email from a friend in the USA with the following text... In my opinion it's worth a read.
Written by a 15 yr. old School Kid in Ohio:
New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME!)
Since the Pledge of Allegiance & The Lords Prayer Are not allowed in Schools anymore because the word 'God' is mentioned...

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom thing..
The law is specific, the law is precise...
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
We can carry smut, but not the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot;
My soul please take! ......Amen

Well? what do you think?

Countdown To Christmas

2009-08-28T19:12:00.004+01:00

Looks like Christmas is just around the corner, the countdown has started and is up and running on the Internet. While I was channel flicking on the TV, I even saw a Christmas sale on one of the shopping channels...

HO HO HO

Joke Of The Day

2009-08-27T17:57:00.000+01:00

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement centre were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says:
"Eddie, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?"
Eddie says, "I feel just like a newborn baby. "

"Really!? Like a newborn baby!?"

"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants."

Strictly Dung Dancing

2009-08-25T19:54:00.003+01:00

OH NO that time again! Got my TV untuned in case I mistakenly tuned into the X Factor (Can't stand the judges) and now Strictly has risen it's head, it's not the dancers I dislike, I just think it time they retired Brucie and the judges. They do my head in.... Thank goodness for DVD's ........

Britain's Most Romantic Husband

2009-08-23T22:14:00.001+01:00

I'm sure my LSD thinks that me, but I read this web page and it looks like it's Tom from North Wales.. (Fair play to you sir)
Like Tom, a kiss first thing in the morning and last thing at night is a daily routine for me and I always wipe the mirror straight after..
I can say though I never go to sleep with an argument open.... I stay up and fight the bitch alnight if I have too....

Only joking..

The Hypnotist at the Senior Center

2009-08-20T22:34:00.002+01:00

It was entertainment night at the Old Folks Home and the amazing Claude was topping the bill. People came from many Senior Homes to see the famed hypnotist do his stuff.
As Claude went to the front of the meeting room, he announced,'Unlike most hypnotists who invite two or three people up here to be put into a trance, I intend to hypnotize each and every member of the audience.'
The excitement was almost electric as Claude withdrew a beautiful antique pocket watch from his coat. 'I want you each to keep your eye on this antique watch. It's a very special watch. It's been in my family five or six Generations.'
He began to swing the watch gently back and forth while quietly chanting, 'Watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch .' The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth, light gleaming off its polished surface.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed the swaying watch, until, suddenly it slipped from the hypnotist's fingers and fell to the Floor, breaking into a hundred pieces.
'Shit,' said the Hypnotist.

It took three days to clean up the Old Folks Home

Dont Talk To Strangers

2009-08-19T20:29:00.010+01:00

How often have you said that to your children, (If you have any that is) but yet at some event's you actually encourage you offspring to do just that. Take Christmas for instance. Some old fat boy in a red suit sitting on a chair and I have had first hand experience of seeing parents forcing, yes forcing their sprogs onto fat boy's knee so they can get a photo for the album.
Do we really know who the hell is inside the suit? The reason I thought I'd blog on this brings me back to the Tall Shits (Oops Ships)
This good old friendly bear (Photo) was walking around shaking hands, patting kids on heads and getting hugs. Later the same bear was observed (By not only myself but by a couple of my work colleagues) going into a public portable toilet marked disabled, along with its two young female handlers. The trio stayed in the loo for at least 40 minutes before leaving. (I suppose to shake more hands and pat more heads) What were they doing in the den for that length of time?. your guess is as good as mine.

Hug the bear, NO BLOODY WAY...

No More Tall Ships

2009-08-18T23:23:00.002+01:00

Listening to the news today I heard that Belfast is fighting to get the Tall Ships back. I broke into a cold sweat... until I heard, not for another nine years.... Phew...
I'll either be retired or dead by then... (lucky break me thinks)

More Ships

2009-08-17T20:08:00.001+01:00

Belfast Port is becoming a regular stop for passing cruise liners (Passing to where I've no Idea) This Princess monster was at the Pollock Dock, so I ventured to get a snap.I read on the website that it will be leaving it's berth at 20:00 (8pm) so I got down to the port for around 19:30 and the shit had gone... just a speck on the horizon .... it's in again bank holiday weekend so may be I'll get a shot of her at sea..... (Here's hoping)

Sail Away

2009-08-16T20:23:00.000+01:00

At last, the ships are gone. Four days of this nautical festival are finally over. I almost shed a tear as I spotted the arse end (Stern) of the last vessel sailing off into the distance. Looking back over the four days I'm sure the crowds who attended spent a fortune. Trying to get something to eat or drink was like a task out of the Krypton Factor, only the smart won the race to the till. I'm sure all the catering staff at the event got fed up with joe public. I found a great spot for coffee in the form of a stall set up by The Street. It was always easier to go to the stall rather than queue in their cafe. What I didn't like was the milk sat in a big open jug on a table set aside from the stall for all who wanted to, spit, flick their bogies or drop anything of their choice into the jug. I asked each time for a coffee with milk and watched as the milk came out of a covered container from behind the stall. Today was the first time I was told "You get the milk from the jug" I said "I don't think so, I want it from the covered container"... (I got the look of death, and the milk from the container)

Everything was so costly, one of the night returning to the Giant's Park (park n ride) an ice cream van was waiting and I heard a 99 call out to me so I had to have one. £1.50 for a bog standard ice cream cone (Poke) with a bottom of the range chocolate flake stuck into it. I admit it was nice.

By the way, Giant's Park is the main council dump......

Boats R Us Day 3

2009-08-15T22:11:00.006+01:00

The weather was fantastic all day, brought the people out yet again.. Everyone seemed to be in great form (Which is something new for this place) Lots of music today in the form of a band of the Sea Cadets, which I have to say were fantastic. BBC Radio Ulster had more outside broadcasts today and more presenters playing music after the station was off the air.. loads to entertain the crowds.

In the afternoon there was a record breaking attempt to see if Belfast could gather over 1500 Pirates in the one place... Think I saw about 50... hard luck guys... so many people did put a lot of effort into the Captain Jack Sparrow look but I don't think it was very well publicised, pity someone hadn't flooded facebook with the idea, I recon there's not much chance of using the Internet on the "Black Pearl" (If you know what I mean)

Lots of demonstrations from the various emergency services like the Ambulance service attending the countless number of people taking ill at the event, the PSNI enforcing the "It's our way or no way rule" The NI Fire Service showed what to do in the event of a chip pan fire, they also had a make up car accident.... What I did notice was the location of it... right in front of the fairground dodgems..... well it was Cullens dodgems

I See Tall Ships

2009-08-14T22:05:00.001+01:00

I even saw tall ships in my dreams last night... Day 2 down at the port started off with a rain and more rain. The place turned into an umbrella hell. For the second day in a row I tried to get a good view of the ships. Yesterday it was the vast crowd that made it totally impossible for me to get around all the ships in the little time I had, today it was made impossible because of the huge amount of umbrellas on show to keep ye old blue rinse intact.... I had my face poked with them and nearly had an eye poked out, my fault of course for not having a cattle prod with me...

I did see a little bit of fund raising genius. It came from the crew of the "Jolie Brise 1913" This tall ship had broken part of a mast in a storm while crossing the Atlantic. The crew needed to raise funds to pay for the repair. The were sawing the broken mast into pieces and asking for a minimum donation of £2 to own a piece of the mast. The Jolie Brise is reported to be the oldest tall ship in the race....

I have an old broken Alegro? wonder could I pull the same stunt???

Ahoy There

2009-08-13T22:05:00.003+01:00

The Tall Ships have arrived... A cannon going off signaled the start of the four day celebrations.

Tried to walk around to see the ships today (Along with thousands of other people) space is little and if you have the time to queue for ages for the burger or other food that's on sale and pay the hyped up price this is the place to be.

I even bought an ice cream from one of the many vans at £1.50 for a 99, was it worth it?....nah....

Wait and go late, you may be entertained by some drunks I saw, I even had to explain to a guy where the portaloos are as he was urinating into a hedge feet from the main road... (Filth bag) ... and that was at 8.30pm... whats the place going to be like later on.......

NI

2009-08-12T22:01:00.004+01:00

I know we're not Brazil we're Norn Ireland... BUT.. we are still part of the UK, so why on the main BBC Sport web site did I have to search the depths of the site to find out what the score was when the English and Scottish scores were highlighted on the the index page. ???????

Oh, by the way the game ended in a 1-1 draw

Baby PETER

2009-08-11T18:00:00.004+01:00

I never liked the term Baby P. The child's name was Peter, may he rest in peace. Unless you have been out of this universe you will know the story behind this poor baby (Peter had more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, when he was found dead in a property in Penshurst Road, Tottenham, in August 2007)
What my post is about today, is the possibility (According to BBC News Website)
is, read the quote. "The notoriety of the Baby Peter case is such that all three convicted people are likely to be given new identities upon release to protect them from vigilante attacks, according to the probation union Napo"

Listen to what the paramedics who attended the house had to say.......

Released from prison and given new identities?... A life sentence should mean life in prison, in cases such as this.... (In my opinion)

Credit Card Fraud

2009-08-09T21:45:00.003+01:00

This was part of an email I received today regarding Credit Card Fraud,.... Do you check your cards?

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.
Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours.. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time.. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, 'assuming' that it has to be theirs... FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!

Drug Scum

2009-08-08T18:06:00.011+01:00

How can this government expect a drop in the drugs related crime when they go out of their way to accommodate the scum that walk our earth pedaling drugs and then expect help when the shit hits the fan. This week they (The Government) put their arse out of joint to help a convicted pregnant Briton jailed on drugs charges in Laos to get home to the UK to finish serving her sentence. She is alleged to have laughed when she got off the plane, and is it any wonder?
God bless her unborn child, but I bet I have more concern for the child than she does.
These drugs, cause death, destruction and heartache to many families across the world. So why should our taxes be used to help these drug carriers..... Let them rot in jail in whichever country they are convicted in .... (In my opinion)
The government help this scum while our troops are sent into conflict in all parts of the world' and are put in danger because of the financial restraints imposed on military chiefs...
Yeah it's the right thing to do, lets spend money to help the drug scum....... Roll on the next election.....

Retire @ 70

2009-08-08T07:02:00.003+01:00

Just saw the morning news. Some bright spark recons we will have to work until we are 70 before we get our state pension. Since I left school I've work 40 years up to now and thank goodness I'm still working, paid my taxes, national insurance, and still get taxed on things I buy with the money I've already been taxed on, and now I may have to work a lot more years before I can retire... (Don't you just love the government?) I've a two step approach to sort this out.

STEP 1: Let the workers retire and collect their state pension at 60, to give them time to enjoy whats left of life....

STEP 2: Get the benefit cheats (Which are many) off their arses and team them up with the Jailbirds and get them to do the WORK.....

I bet it would even work out cheaper for the powers to be.........

At Last Sun

2009-08-08T00:05:00.001+01:00

Wow, yesterday was a lovely day.. at last some sun. I went walking in the country and would have loved to have taken photos of old boy racers as they flew down the country roads, but I was too busy diving into the hedges avoiding them. Why do people think it's only the young that race?.... but it was a beautiful day anyway.... Just look at the blue sky over this new development in County Antrim.

Bus Stop Parking

2009-08-07T17:25:00.004+01:00

Have you ever been driving behind a bus when it just stops directly in front of you to pick passengers up, instead of pulling into a stop first. Nine times out of ten it's because some donkey orifice has had no thought for either the bus or the people waiting to board. Think of the difficulty pensioners, mothers and toddlers and people with mobility problems have when the bus cannot get to the kerb.

I was on our good old public transport today and travelling up the Antrim Road, saw this van parked not just at a bus stop but very nearly on it. I would normally smudge out identification marks of vehicles, but this time I thought I'd leave it......

Hi Ho Silver...

2009-08-06T20:14:00.002+01:00

For those of you who are old enough to remember The Lone Ranger will also remember his (What would be known today as a catchphrase) Hi Ho Silver Away....
I promised my LSD I would finish off painting the kitchen tonight, all that is still to be done is the sliver edging around the ceiling. I went to get the paint and I felt like the Lone Ranger... I shouted ,,, Hi No Silver... I live to paint another day... (After a visit to B&Q to buy new paint that is)....

Livingston FC

2009-08-04T18:00:00.001+01:00

1974 - 2009 .... Looks like my favorite Scottish football club Livingston is going down the tubes, reason money (Or the lack of it should I say). Many a time I travelled home and away to games (When I say home I mean Livingston in West Lothian, or Hamunaptra to those who know the place well) A great family club were I made lots of friends over the years and I have to say I'm sorry to hear of the clubs financial crisis.
I was on their website to find out what the latest bizz was and noticed that the main advertisement is for....well, I'll let you see for yourself......

Debt Advisory.... I wonder did they give them a call ???????

Shopping Games

2009-08-03T19:24:00.002+01:00

While I'm out shopping with my little swamp duck I would normally entertain myself by people watching. Yesterday we were out at Forestside and M&S got a visit... I got bored with "What do you think of this, what do you think of that" (Not that it ever maters what I think)... Anyway, as I said "I got bored" walking around ladies fashions mostly filled by the blue rinse brigade.. I thought I'd have a bit of fun by a huge mirror, I lifted a skirt off a nearby rail and held it against myself in front of the mirror, I gave it the up, down side to side look with a wow look on my bake.
The look on the faces of close by BRB members was just priceless.... Happy days a new shopping game to play now, may try footwear next. (Bring on the stilettos)

Oh What A Gay Day

2009-08-02T10:31:00.007+01:00

Went into the city centre yesterday for some shopping and lunch. The annual gay pride parade was taking place so I thought I'd check it out as there should be lots of colour. The PSNI were out in force (No, not in the parade) I asked a PSNI officer what time the parade would pass and he said "Who knows" (On the ball or what) Anyway, heard the whistles and vehicle horns blowing and spotted the parade coming so I said to the same PSNI officer "Here they come now" (Just in case he wasn't sure) Colourful it was, some lorry's and trailers decorated and loads of people waving and blowing whistles from the trailers, people walking around with signs saying things like Free Hugs (I never asked for one in case you were wondering) The parade lasted around 15 minutes with lots of the Saturday shoppers watching on, some with their approving smiles and some with their disapproving growls, others just went on about their business...

I always have my camera with me and I love to see carnival like parades in the city centre (Orange, Green or Pink, I don't care what colour) There was lots of colour in this parade but I have to say there was the odd one who spoiled the day by either carrying a rude sign (In my opinion) or displaying a rude gesture.. Does their cause no good....

Oh yes and there was the odd dog in the parade... (Woof woof type that is)

Pet Names

2009-07-31T21:25:00.003+01:00

Close to 30 years married my little swamp duck still to this day loves to shower me with gifts, and those who know me can understand why. She loves to buy me things that not only reflect my personality but also replicate the pet name she has for me..

I have to say "She struck gold this time with this bottle of Shiraz"......

Here I was

2009-07-30T20:13:00.003+01:00

So here I was sitting upstairs on the bus waiting for it to leave it's stop by the City Hall. More passengers started to come up to the top deck and this young guy sat down in a seat just in front of me. I felt safe from being biten by vampires as the stench of garlic coming from his direction was awful.. I did consider moving but thought I'd sit it out and cough for a while.... This dame sat behind me and it wasn't too long before her 80's ring tone started to blast out from her handbag. What ever happened to "I'll call you back, I'm on the bus" .. she went into this full conversation about people in her office at a volume I'm sure the driver was able to hear (And he was on the lower deck), at one point she lost the signal, and the person rang her back... How often have you lost a mobile signal and when you get reconnected the first thing you ask is "What happened there?" That sort of question is ok as long as you were talking to a mobile phone engineer in the first place. She answered the phone with... you got it..."What happened there.. the dame was still on the phone three miles later but did tell her caller to hold on as she was about to get off the bus. I'd love to know where she worked as I'd call the office and tell them the gossip.... As for garlic bake I noticed the paint on the roof above him starting to blister as I my stop approached

BACK SOON

2009-07-24T21:53:00.001+01:00

Happy Snapper

2009-06-15T05:47:00.000+01:00

I just love taking photos... Got a new snapper (Camera) so, I'm button pressing at whatever. My cat tigger is getting fed up with me snapping her (I can tell) this is the latest pic... Looks like she 's asking "What now?"

It's Saturday

2009-06-13T09:30:00.000+01:00

Saturday has arrived so I thought as the weather forecast was for heavy rain hill walking was out. As I wanted to get some exercise in and still have plenty of time left to enjoy the day I thought I'd get up early and go swimming. (Seeing I had a few last night) Up at 6 ish, looked out the window and it looked nice but damp. Got showered and dressed and on the cycle by 7am. It was amazing how many people haven't even made it home from their Friday night out. On the way into town going past the old cricket ground, there were trainee thugs still drinking and making merry (I decided to pedal faster in case they wanted to include me in their merriment) and cycling up Royal Avenue there were bodies lying on city benches with their empty carryouts close by.. (Ah, those were the day's).....

Police Appeal

2009-06-12T20:12:00.005+01:00

Way to go.. Photos, then name and shame. Here is a link to a BBC News website page, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8097911.stm the PSNI have appealed for the names of persons (Morons) they want to talk to in relation to riots in the so called Holyland.
Please visit the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8097911.stm and read the story.
If you recognise anyone in the photograph (Some butes I have to say) get on the blower to the PSNI..... Could be wrong, but it may do the Police some good if they look around Queens..... As I said, I could be wrong though!

A Little Humour

2009-06-09T19:24:00.003+01:00

Three men married wives from different countries.

The first man married a woman from Italy . He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.
The second man married a woman from Sweden . He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done and there was a huge dinner on the table.
The third man married a girl from NORN IRELAND . He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal.

He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.

TAKE HEED GUYS

Nice Car Shame About The Blonde

2009-06-08T21:57:00.004+01:00

Could not believe it (OK I do) I was walking through town tonight during the evening rush hour when I spotted this blonde texting while driving at a main intersection in the city centre, and she continued to text while she drove and negotiated a right hand turn at traffic lights. What a bimbo..... Nice car though

It's Getting Harder

2009-06-06T18:31:00.005+01:00

I'm finding it harder to find the time to blog (Or so it seems anyway) but I'm still alive (@ the moment) in case you wondered where I was. With all the good weather lately I've been out and about, and last week I ventured up to Belfast Zoo (Don't entirely agree with zoo's but went anyway) It has been years since I've went and the first thing I saw was the whole new entrance, looks pretty well may I say. After entry I saw the old Floral Hall... Looking at it, it was hard to imagine the place use to be a dance hall before it was used as an animal shelter...(Although knowing some of the clampets who use to go there, it may have been one from the very start)
The place is so far up the hill I'm sure people were done out before they even got their first dance or their 99.... There must have been an ice cream van parked outside? as I heard my brothers say a few times that when they got to the Floral Hall "It used to be, get the girl, go twice around the dance floor, then outside for a poke" (I was too young to go, so I wouldn't know)

What I did laugh at was a sign in the car park saying "Please remember where you park" Really ?... It is worth a visit I have to say.. Oh yes! there are some beautiful animals there...

Bank Holiday Monday

2009-05-04T17:25:00.004+01:00

Day off work, yeah but only in the employment sense. I'm still in the process of getting the area ready for my new greenhouse. I have already started by building the base for it and the door (Just to get things moving) The area for it will need leveled but I'm unsure if I went flag stones, bricks or just the straight forward earth... Whichever I choose it will still need leveled. So I'm using the garage to store the pre-built stuff.
What I have got as a new addition to the garden is a solar powered bird bath (More like a bird shower) but is nice and if we get some sunshine during the summer we will have loads of clean birds flying about my garden (If the cat allows it, that is)

May Day Parade

2009-05-02T22:50:00.000+01:00

Today my LSD and I decided to hit the City Centre for a dander and some lunch. Thought, bank holiday weekend there shouldn't be much traffic. Great clear roads until we hit the centre. The PSNI had roads around the centre closed as the Union's May Day Parade was taking part. It didn't take long. a few bands a few people walking behind them carrying banners and flags and one guy carrying a Russian flag (I have to say he looked like he wasn't old enough even to work, let alone be in a union)

The City was also hiving with street entertainers, from the Dirty White Rabbit playing the keyboard at Cornmarket to comedy groups, musicians and this musical trio I saw in Victoria Square... The City Centre is the place to spend a Saturday believe me......

Bill Posters

2009-05-01T18:16:00.000+01:00

I wonder which one of these two defacers is called Bill?. As if the city isn't bad enough with litter bugs, we also have to put up with guys like this who have nothing better to do than stick up posters usually for unknown music groups that you need to blocked to listen too, and more than likely the posters end up blowing around the streets and left for someone else to clean up.

Anyway, if guys like these are caught breaking the by-laws of the city, they should be not just fined but made to do community service by removing posters from around the city centre for a start.

Speaking of Squareports

2009-04-30T06:30:00.002+01:00

After yesterdays post, I've now read, from today the George Best City Airport is not allowing motorists or taxis (Not based at the airport) to drop off or collect passengers outside the main terminal. A £1 surcharge will be imposed on taxis based at the airport. People hiring a taxi based at the airport will have the £1 surcharge past onto them through the fare. The £1 surcharge has been imposed by the GBCA. What will be interesting is, will they charge each passenger a £1 or is it a £1 per fare. (See also: Drop off ban arrives)
I have stopped using the airport taxi's anyway, as I found them unpleasant and in my experience they make you feel like a hindrance if you are only going into the city centre instead of further afield. Maybe now they'll be glad of any business.... (Still wont be mine though)

Belfast International Squareport

2009-04-29T13:00:00.001+01:00

A news item regarding Belfast International Airport caught my attention today while surfing the BBC News website. The security staff at the airport had "a complete lack of consideration for those with mobility problems". Read the article
This happens all around the place. I witnessed a lady (Who has mobility problems) ask an outside security person at the terminal building at the George Best City Airport if she could get her local taxi to pick her up outside the building. She was told no and she had to walk to the portacabin at the short stay car park and wait. Not even a chair in the portacabin... How considerate
Anyway, I'm off to BIA tomorrow morning to pick some people up. I haven't been at the airport in ages so I thought I'd visit their website and check for any changes in parking arrangements. I went straight for the FAQs section. I can only say that even I was surprised at the most popular FAQs: (Even for Northern Ireland) Can I pack my souvenir Samurai sword in my hand luggage?

Mystery Shopper

2009-04-23T19:44:00.007+01:00

I have to say my LSD must be the best mystery shopper.. It's just a mystery to me how she knows how to get the bargains. We went to good old Tescos as she had to get some food stuffs and I had to get a little speaker for iPod's, mp3 players even works on the laptops.. In fact they work on any audio unit with a 3.5mm jack plug (You even get a 2.5mm converter, just in case) Anyway... they had been reduced in price last week from £19.98 to £ 9.98.. We were told tonight by one of Tescos staff that the speakers had gone back up to full price (I had seen them in a high street store in London last week at over £24.00) LSD said to me to lift one and use one of the in store scanners... Hey Presto.. it showed £9.98.. (Happy Days. I bought three, one for me and two for a friend)
I then fancied some North Belfast champagne to drink later, they had an offer on but none were sitting on the shelf. LSD once again gets a member of staff to go and look "Out the back" as she calls it. (Kitchen house reared you see) It's so refreshing not to hear the usual "If it's not out, we don't have it" they looked, they saw and I was amazed... out came the champagne... (Getting into it when this blog has been updated......

The Power Of The Sun

2009-04-20T20:25:00.005+01:00

No, this it's not about the newspaper or global warming. It about how good the nice weather makes you feel. No mater who I was speaking to over the last few days it was evident that the good weather made them feel great.
I enjoyed sitting out in the garden, listening to the birds singing and of course having some sparkling water.... But I'm still Grumpy.
Is it any wonder after watching the football yesterday. One thing though, I'm glad I wasn't one of those supporters who paid a little fortune to travel to the game and pay in to see their manager put a, well lets just say it didn't do what it said on the tin team. It's like paying to see a top band in concert only to find out it's a tribute band.... and they're miming at that....

Wotsits Or Wine?

2009-04-19T00:08:00.001+01:00

Read yet another interesting article online, but this one is of special interest to me (Seeing I'm trying to keep weight off, and I drink wine) The article headline says "Average wine drinker puts on half a stone of fat a year, says campaign group" Apparently wine does what it says in the headline. Here are some statistics that I'll try and remember.. Hic!
Large glass (250ml) of average strength red wine = 214 calories = one bag of Cheesy Wotsits.
A bottle of average strength red wine = 644 calories = 14 jaffa cakes or McDonald's Cheeseburger and medium fries.
Large glass of medium dry white wine = 190 calories = two and a half digestive biscuits.
One pint of premium lager = 330 calories = one four ounce fillet steak
One pint of cider = 200 calories = one KFC chicken drumstick
source: Human Nutrition Research and weightlossresources.co.uk
Scary to read... Anyway I'm off to pour myself another glass of Cheesy Wotsits. followed by a glass of McDonald's Cheeseburger and medium fries...Hic!

Space Cadets

2009-04-18T00:05:00.000+01:00

We meet space cadets everyday of our existence, but have you ever given time and stopped to think what it must be like to be a real live Space Cadet... (Nah, me neither)... I just needed some sort of a lead in to the web link I'm going to post. It shows the time scale and the building of the International Space Station. Whether or not you're interested in space, this is worth a look.... Who knows perhaps someday it could be trundling earthwards towards you and a least you'll know what the hell is coming...... (CLICK ON THE PICTURE)

Wedding Dance

2009-04-17T19:42:00.004+01:00

This is for all the in love people who are planning their wedding. You've picked the date, picked the venue, picked where the reception is to be held and possibly even picked the grub everyone is going to eat. What about the entertainment? two piece band?, group?, karaoke? or Disco?. If you have chosen the later, "CHECK THIS OUT"
Go on, you know you really want to do it at your wedding..... If you are going to do it I'll bring my camcorder........

A Green Day Today

2009-04-16T20:47:00.007+01:00

My LSD bought me a greenhouse today. It's something I've wanted since moving to our present address. I opened the flat pack to find the instructions.. (AGGGHHHHHHHH) hundreds of parts to be checked.... It took me ages (Not the brightest you see) Hooray, all parts present and correct. Now to find the time. and a sunny day or two to put them all together.
(Fun times ahead, but I know she can do it)

Please Be Quite

2009-04-15T20:30:00.006+01:00

This post goes out to those of my friends and colleagues who think I've lost the power to put weight on.

LAST WEEK, A HALF POUND ON

THIS WEEK, FOUR AND A HALF POUND ON

There, thanks for your concern now, please back off and leave me to it.......

Dumping Dogs

2009-04-14T17:31:00.004+01:00

Spotted these two dogs running around a common in Cambridge, they had their two big white husky looking pets with them. The common is a place by the river where families walk and play, considerate dog owners carry poop scoops and plastic bags for you know what. These two couldn't have give a crap themselves, the dogs just dumped their winalot and ran off to play. One of the humans with them walked over to the drop zone and I thought she was going to do the right thing and pick it up, but alas, she just stopped, studied the deposit for a lot of seconds then merrily dandered off. Perhaps she goes to Cambridge University and is reading you know what.....

The Return Flight

2009-04-13T20:50:00.006+01:00

Thought I'd treat you to a wee taste of the return flight. Never added any music (Copyright etc) The take off and flight were good but the approach and landing, well lets just say the jury's out on that one (Coming in up the lough is a bit windy at the best of times) but I wasn't sure if we had landed or were shot down..... lol ... only joking it was fine. I've also put this video up unto YouTube (Grumpyhead55)

A guy is sitting in the bar in departures at a busy airport..A beautiful woman walks in and sits down at the table next to him.He decides because she 's got a uniform on, she's probably an off-duty flight attendant.So he decides to have a go at picking her up by identifying the airline she flies for,thereby impressing her greatly.He leans across to her and says the Delta Airlines motto 'We love to fly and it shows'.
The woman looks at him blankly. He sits back and thinks up another line. He leans forward again and delivers the Air France motto
'Winning the hearts of the world'.
Again she just stares at him with a slightly puzzled look on her face. Undeterred, he tries one last time saying the Malaysian Airlines motto
"Going beyond expectations.
The woman looks at him sternly and says 'What the fec do you want?'

'Ah!' he says, sitting back with a smile on his face................... "Ryanair"

Budget Transport

2009-04-13T18:28:00.009+01:00

I'm sure like me you have used so called budget airlines at sometime. Last Saturday LSD and I traveled to London Stansted on the first flight out with Ryanair. Flight left at 06:30 which meant we were up out of bed around 04:30. Got our seats on the flight and I thought for the first time ever I'd have something to eat on the flight. I ordered two breakfast baps (For me and my lsd) at a cost of £5 each. The drinks trolley came around and I ordered a diet coke (£1:80) for a tiny tin and was told the baps would be another ten minutes. They arrived within two, my lsd said to me that her breakfast bap was cold in the centre. I bit into mine to find the omlette was still frozen in the middle. (I nearly boaked) I called the steward down and pointed out the fact that both were inedible. "I'll reheat them" he said. (Not even an offer of two fresh ones. No you won't, I'd like a refund. He said they can't give refunds and that I'd have to write to Customer Services in Dublin. I asked him for proof of purchase and that too was beyond him. So, I'd written the fact on my boarding sheet and asked him to sign it, he refused. Then as if magic he returned with a receipt. Strange that isn't it.

(Lesson learnt)

New Drink

2009-04-12T06:00:00.001+01:00

I frequently research the Internet for new things to add to my ever growing list of foods I can eat and drink to help me in my new life style,of the reduced me.
I found a mention of a new fizzy drink online, but I'm not sure if they do a light/diet version of it. Check it out in case you can help?

21 Lines To Make You Smile

2009-04-11T06:00:00.001+01:00

1.. My Wife and I divorced over religious differences,she thought she was God and I didn't.
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
7.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9.. I'm not a complete idiot - - Some parts are just missing.
10. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
12. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
13. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
14. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
15. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
16. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
17. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
18. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
19. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
20. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
21.. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few!

Sore Bum Bum

2009-04-10T07:36:00.008+01:00

Nearly wrecked myself at the swimming pool this week. I had made a little promise to myself that when (And if) I started blogging again I wouldn't mention anything about my weight loss, well I think this is funny. I'd been at the pool for my daily swim, when it came time for me to get out, my path (Watery as it was) was occupied by a lot of tourists. Me being from Gods own area of this wonderful Island, didn't want to be ignorant by forcing my way through to the steps. (The steps being the ladder out of the pool) I have always found this the easiest way to exit the pool as leaving via the pool edge (because of my bulk) took a lot of upper body strength and about three attempts. But needs must so I got myself in the frame of mind and went for it, back to the edge, arms bent and a power lift. I used the same power as I would have before I lost the seven and a half stone. To my surprise I shot out of the water like a penguin being chased by a killer whale. I landed full force on my arse at the side of the pool (Wonder has that ever happened to a penguin?, no not at the pool) I thought my tail bone was broken to the amusement of the ones who just happened to be watching. I tried the same move yesterday with the same result.
Perhaps I'm just getting stronger...

Soccer

2009-04-09T10:00:00.004+01:00

I'm sure it's the same in most sports, but the hate between fans of soccer in my opinion, would be at the top. We are into the closing stages of the champions league and my facebook has become a place of taunt between some of my friends who follow Liverpool FC / Manchester United .... They even went as far as using the application "The Teams I Hate With A Passion ". Now that's sad, even for them. The word HATE is described in the Oxford Dictionary as:

• verb feel intense dislike for or a strong aversion towards.
• noun 1 intense dislike; strong aversion. 2 informal a disliked person or thing. 3 before a noun denoting hostile actions motivated by intense dislike or prejudice: a hate campaign.
— DERIVATIVES hatable (also hateable) adjective hater noun.

Don't get me wrong, I like soccer, and I have the teams I prefer, but in all honesty, I can't say I hate any of the others. If my teams win or lose (They sometimes lose) it makes no difference in my life whatsoever. So I just don't understand the problem. I think some people just love to get annoyed, they look for stuff to offended them. The idea of paying mega pennies in travel, gate tickets etc, just to go along and watch soccer, get my blood pressure to boiling point, ruin my day if my team is beaten, just does not appeal to me.
Do you think for one moment that the superstars of these teams, who are getting paid mega pennies (Thanks to you and people like you) worry about how our lives are effected by their off days when they have a bad game and are beaten, especially when they drive home in their top of the range sports car to their luxury pad? (I don't think so) ...... Think about it....

Weekend Report

2009-04-06T20:23:00.011+01:00

You may think a weekend report is a bit late on a Monday night, well, I can tell you I've had no time to blog until now. The weekend started for me on Friday lunch time. I had a half day and organised for my Son In Law to meet me for lunch. The Street was the venue for lunch and we had a sandwich before going for an afternoon social drink. RGB @ the Park Inn was the place I wanted him to see. I'd been in there before for a quick one (Drink) so fancied a relaxing one or two. As we walked through the bar I pointed out the big comfy chairs where I wished to plant my rear on. S-I-L sat down and I went to the bar to order. I was alone at the bar with a member of staff sorting glasses. I stood for four minutes before she grabbed a tray and went off to collect more dirty glasses. On her return she continued to ignore me so I had to say "Excuse me, are you closed" She said she never saw me. (Collecting the wrong glasses I thought). I asked for two small bottles of red to which she told me "We have none" .. I just got S-I-L and left. Morrison's here we come. We were joined later by our swamp ducks and it was planned to go out for dinner. Byblos (No web link earned) was the chosen venue when we got there we were told (And not in a very polite way may I add) we couldn't have a table as they were fully booked. I could only see two tables with anyone at them and loads of empty tables. They just didn't want our business it seems. I did say to the woman who didn't want our money, "It's no wonder small businesses go down the tubes turning away ready business" If they don't, I can say it wont be with the help of my money. I'll not be back.

Olio's got our money and well worth a visit, the meal was fantastic. I'll be back

The rest of the weekend went great.......

Security Alert

2009-04-02T13:21:00.004+01:00

Another security alert has just been cleared in West Belfast. A suspicious object was spotted inside a parked car.
It was declared safe after the object turned out to be a tax disc.