Another needless death of a child has occurred, after being mauled by a rottweiler, all due to the stupidity of the owner. These cases really annoy me as they damage the reputation of all rotties and their owners irrespective of whether they are responsible or irresponsible owners.
As the reader may be aware I have two rotties myself, one is as soft as anything and although capable of making some fearsome noises he would certainly lick someone to death as opposed to biting them, the other is more serious, she's a real princess, loving and obedient but can be very protective when needed. Having said all of this I am pretty sure neither would attack anyone BUT I am a responsible dog owner. Being a responsible dog owner means that I would not risk a chance of anything happening and so we shut them away when our grandchildren are visiting or indeed any other children. I also muzzle them whenever we go out to places with crowds (just in case). They have NEVER attacked or tried to attack anyone but I love my dogs like my children and I would not want anything to happen to them just because someone was perhaps being an idiot around them.
So, sorry as I am to hear of the attacks I think the blame has to be put firmly at the owners' feet. As an owner you know your dogs inside out and if one is not quite 'right' you are aware, these dogs have to be kept under careful watch and if you find that a dog is showing aggressive tendancies you MUST seek professional help and advice. If you lose control of a dog this size the consequences are always tragic, but it rarely 'just happens'. Looking back there will be telltale signs that have be noticed and ignored on the way.
I had a young rottie some years ago who was a loving and adorable small pup, but even at 5 months of age he was already showing signs of being protective towards me, he would not allow anyone to approach the car when we were in it, he was challenging our older dogs at 7 months and was being kept in line by our rottie bitch. Every now and then he would get a sort of vacant look in his eyes which I hadn't seen before, I took him for a check-up and the vet said there was nothing wrong, he allowed the vet to examine him without probs. We had him castrated and it seemed to calm him a bit but I knew something was not qute right and muzzled him when out etc then one day when he was 13months old he was growling under the table that we were all sitting round, I went to stroke him and he bit my hand! To say this was a shock is an understatement, I was devastated, he seemed ok and contrite when he was told off but I was uneasy, later that evening he began 'controlling traffic' through doorways and then started growling every time I tried to move off the settee. I thought he had a brain tumour or something and took him to the vet the next morning but as soon as we got in there he went mad trying to bite the vets and so I was persuaded to have him humanely euthanised.
The vet explained to me that he had something called 'rage syndrome' and there was nothing that could be done it was a definite temperament disorder due to some sort of brain damage probably during birth and you could never be sure when it would manifest but between 11 and 15 months it was most commonly seen. Tragic as that was I could not have a dog I could not trust, bless him, he was a disaster waiting to happen.
So again, dog owners out there take responsibility for your dogs and stop giving other decent rottie owners a bad name!
Monday, 31 December 2007
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
All over again for another year............
I shopped for, catered for and fed the 5,000 yesterday! or at least that 's what it feels like! Thankfully, I didn't have to do the washing up afterwards, courtesy of combined effort from MY mum and hubby. Each year for the last few years I've hinted at how welcome I would receive an invitation to one of my offsprings homes for a family Xmas dinner, but it has never really hit home - this year I did something different - I announced that next year we would be spending the festive season in a Hotel in North Cyprus. Then our eldest son issued the invitation I have so longed for, he and the wife had already discussed it and wanted to have everyone to their's next year. I quickly accepted the invitation, and have told hubby to book for the New Year in Cyprus instead of Xmas.
So, already now I'm beginning to look forward to next Xmas - so much for living in the present eh?
Today, the daughter and her boyfriend have hit the sales, they've gone to MK's Ikea! They are moving into a new apartment early in the new year so they are busy trying to organise furniture. I'm really happy for her, it is such an exciting time when you're just starting out in life. Truth be known though, I'm also very happy for me/us too because it means we get our home back, I never realised how important this was before she left home originally (last year). But since she returned home a few months ago I began to realise how precious the 14 months had been when I only had to clear up after myself and hubby. Things stayed where they were put, we could find all of the remote controls and they all had batteries in, my deoderant, perfume and make up were found where I'd left them, there were no clothes on the floor, no hair tongs and stillettos left to fall over, my laptop, the washing machine and dryer were not in constant use and my utility bills were so reasonable our direct debits were being reduced!!! It's very true to say that you don't miss a thing until it's gone and I don't think I ever really appreciated my freedom, but everything happens for a reason and once the daughter moves into her new place I'm going to make sure I appreciate my freedom - empty nest syndrome? - gimme, gimme, gimme....................
So, already now I'm beginning to look forward to next Xmas - so much for living in the present eh?
Today, the daughter and her boyfriend have hit the sales, they've gone to MK's Ikea! They are moving into a new apartment early in the new year so they are busy trying to organise furniture. I'm really happy for her, it is such an exciting time when you're just starting out in life. Truth be known though, I'm also very happy for me/us too because it means we get our home back, I never realised how important this was before she left home originally (last year). But since she returned home a few months ago I began to realise how precious the 14 months had been when I only had to clear up after myself and hubby. Things stayed where they were put, we could find all of the remote controls and they all had batteries in, my deoderant, perfume and make up were found where I'd left them, there were no clothes on the floor, no hair tongs and stillettos left to fall over, my laptop, the washing machine and dryer were not in constant use and my utility bills were so reasonable our direct debits were being reduced!!! It's very true to say that you don't miss a thing until it's gone and I don't think I ever really appreciated my freedom, but everything happens for a reason and once the daughter moves into her new place I'm going to make sure I appreciate my freedom - empty nest syndrome? - gimme, gimme, gimme....................
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Pet hates............................
Before I begin, I want to say, No, I'm not a Victoria Meldrew!!! Certainly not, I am far more likely to see the good in things than the bad and I see my cup as always half full as opposed to half empty. But there are some things that rile me and I shall share these with you, dear reader and wonder what your own views are? Do let me know..............
Zebra Crossings - a Godsend on a busy road, but why don't people teach their children how to use them correctly? When I was a small child I would go out with my mother and I remember having to hold her hand walking along the pavements up to the shops and home again and there was a zebra crossing on the main road. We would walk to the crossing and wait on the kerb and look Right, Left and Right again and then only IF clear OR IF the cars had stopped would we venture out onto the crossing, thanking the drivers on both sides of the road with a wave as we walked directly to the other side of the road.
I was always told that it was a courtesy for cars to stop for me as they had rights on roads and pedestrians had rights on pavements. I was also told that if drivers did the courtesy of allowing me to cross then I had to show my appreciation by being courteous and saying thank you to them.
How difficult is that? How many have you noticed that consider it normal to walk straight out on a crossing, and even when you have waved them over they don't even give you the courtesy of a nod let alone a thanks! They are sometimes also so busy meandering all over the road in their groups especially just coming out of school that I'm sure I've seen more appreciation in the eyes of sheep and goats that I have stopped the car for in Cyprus than the beings that flood the road in front of me on some of our crossings.
Another pet hate of mine is the pronounciation of the letter 'H' - so many say it wrongly and seem to delight in doing so. I suppose I can't blame them as young people as a lot of their teachers have taught them wrongly. But I have to say this is AT HOME - the letter 'H' is actually spelt 'AITCH' and not as some erroneously think spelt 'haitch' - I encourage the looking up of the spelling in the dictionary in case they think it's just down to an eccentricity of mine, but there again maybe my insistance is.....
Why do so many english speaking Brits get mixed up with the words 'bought' and 'brought'? and the verbs to Lend and to Borrow and - I hear young people saying "I've bought it with me" or "can I lend a tenner off you". I'd best not get started on the difference between your and you're...............
Zebra Crossings - a Godsend on a busy road, but why don't people teach their children how to use them correctly? When I was a small child I would go out with my mother and I remember having to hold her hand walking along the pavements up to the shops and home again and there was a zebra crossing on the main road. We would walk to the crossing and wait on the kerb and look Right, Left and Right again and then only IF clear OR IF the cars had stopped would we venture out onto the crossing, thanking the drivers on both sides of the road with a wave as we walked directly to the other side of the road.
I was always told that it was a courtesy for cars to stop for me as they had rights on roads and pedestrians had rights on pavements. I was also told that if drivers did the courtesy of allowing me to cross then I had to show my appreciation by being courteous and saying thank you to them.
How difficult is that? How many have you noticed that consider it normal to walk straight out on a crossing, and even when you have waved them over they don't even give you the courtesy of a nod let alone a thanks! They are sometimes also so busy meandering all over the road in their groups especially just coming out of school that I'm sure I've seen more appreciation in the eyes of sheep and goats that I have stopped the car for in Cyprus than the beings that flood the road in front of me on some of our crossings.
Another pet hate of mine is the pronounciation of the letter 'H' - so many say it wrongly and seem to delight in doing so. I suppose I can't blame them as young people as a lot of their teachers have taught them wrongly. But I have to say this is AT HOME - the letter 'H' is actually spelt 'AITCH' and not as some erroneously think spelt 'haitch' - I encourage the looking up of the spelling in the dictionary in case they think it's just down to an eccentricity of mine, but there again maybe my insistance is.....
Why do so many english speaking Brits get mixed up with the words 'bought' and 'brought'? and the verbs to Lend and to Borrow and - I hear young people saying "I've bought it with me" or "can I lend a tenner off you". I'd best not get started on the difference between your and you're...............
Friday, 21 December 2007
And so back to UK again.....
We decided to get our shopping done BEFORE partaking of a little 'light' refreshment (Gluhwein)! So on the Sunday (last day in Cologne) we trekked to the Christmas market, having enjoyed a large breakfast of mixed fresh fruit to begin, followed by a choice of cooked food, followed by cakes, and really anything else you wanted to help yourself to there and of course washed down with 'lashings' of fruit juice/teas/coffee.
Unsurprisingly, we got the shopping done in quite a short time and I'm sure it was not because we were anxious to sample a little mulled wine. Still, with that out of the way we felt we could relax and join our fellow shoppers in enjoying the traditional food and drink. The remainder of the day seemed to go by so quickly and before we knew it we were makeing our way back to the Hotel as it was beginning to get dark and it was bitterly cold.
The next morning we were down for brekky at 06.30 and once again on the coach at 07.00 for the home journey. As we were leaving Cologne the daughter remarked on how busy the roads were, there were so many cars, but the odd thing that we both noticed is that it was all moving quite freely, and so we made our journey back to Calais without disruption. The daughter wondered why so many people were up so very early in the morning which gave me the chance of explaining how we used to work 'flexi- hours' in Germany. This entailed being able to begin our work anytime from 06.30 am and finish by 20.30 an as long as we worked the set hours we were paid for during the month we had the freedom of choice of what would suit us best. I don't need to say that this was so much better for everything, appointments, shopping, hangovers! etc. A far better way to go on altogether.
We boarded the ferry and arrived in Dover at 16.30. By the time our cases had been transferred and we found the feeder coach that would take us up to Northampton it was 17.30 and we began the last leg of the journey. Of course in England when there is a lot of traffic it is NOT free moving, no, we Brits who like queuing so much also seem to favour being gridlocked on our roads for hours on end and so the journey just to Northampton took us almost double the time it took on the way down!! Glad to be back? Erm, why yes of course..............
Unsurprisingly, we got the shopping done in quite a short time and I'm sure it was not because we were anxious to sample a little mulled wine. Still, with that out of the way we felt we could relax and join our fellow shoppers in enjoying the traditional food and drink. The remainder of the day seemed to go by so quickly and before we knew it we were makeing our way back to the Hotel as it was beginning to get dark and it was bitterly cold.
The next morning we were down for brekky at 06.30 and once again on the coach at 07.00 for the home journey. As we were leaving Cologne the daughter remarked on how busy the roads were, there were so many cars, but the odd thing that we both noticed is that it was all moving quite freely, and so we made our journey back to Calais without disruption. The daughter wondered why so many people were up so very early in the morning which gave me the chance of explaining how we used to work 'flexi- hours' in Germany. This entailed being able to begin our work anytime from 06.30 am and finish by 20.30 an as long as we worked the set hours we were paid for during the month we had the freedom of choice of what would suit us best. I don't need to say that this was so much better for everything, appointments, shopping, hangovers! etc. A far better way to go on altogether.
We boarded the ferry and arrived in Dover at 16.30. By the time our cases had been transferred and we found the feeder coach that would take us up to Northampton it was 17.30 and we began the last leg of the journey. Of course in England when there is a lot of traffic it is NOT free moving, no, we Brits who like queuing so much also seem to favour being gridlocked on our roads for hours on end and so the journey just to Northampton took us almost double the time it took on the way down!! Glad to be back? Erm, why yes of course..............
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Deutschland, Deutschland uber alless.......
So goes the beginning of the banned song from the days of the Third Reich. But such was the happy mood of the people and the orderly way of life of course served up 'with lashings of ' Gluhwein. The daughter and I found it very cold and so almost as soon as we arrived at the market (about a 15 minute walk from our Hotel) we decided to 'warm ourselves up' with a mug of the traditional mulled wine. It really did help to warm us up and we noticed that most people were drinking theirs as they browsed around the hundreds of stalls. Another thing we quckly noticed is that about every 10th stall (or so) was another Gluhwein stall and so we were never without a cup of the delicious hot spiced wein that slid so easily over the tongue and down the back of the throat! I was telling the daughter about the years we spent living and working in Germany and the fun we had there and she understood more how we could have settled so well into the German lifestyle. After chatting and eating and drinking our fill we felt it would be better to wait until the next day to do our shopping and so made our way back to our Hotel, arm in arm.
Something else we noticed was how many of the young adults were enjoying themselves but there was so nastiness, no swearing, no fighting, no threatening behaviour that we all know so well from our own groups of youths. Of course not all our youths are to be tarred with the same brush but I know I would not have felt as comfortable in UK walking around with my daughter in amongst crowds of people like that.
A word here should be said about the state of the public toilets - have you ever been to mobile loo's at a funfair, festival etc? I don't if ever I can help it but the daughter has described the dreadful state of them to me, enough to make me heave at the very thought....but I have to say, the mobile loo's were so clean, an attendant collected 30 cents and went in to wipe the seat, floor and make sure everything was kept spotless after EVERY person. Altogether an enjoyable experience.....they certainly know how to live.
Something else we noticed was how many of the young adults were enjoying themselves but there was so nastiness, no swearing, no fighting, no threatening behaviour that we all know so well from our own groups of youths. Of course not all our youths are to be tarred with the same brush but I know I would not have felt as comfortable in UK walking around with my daughter in amongst crowds of people like that.
A word here should be said about the state of the public toilets - have you ever been to mobile loo's at a funfair, festival etc? I don't if ever I can help it but the daughter has described the dreadful state of them to me, enough to make me heave at the very thought....but I have to say, the mobile loo's were so clean, an attendant collected 30 cents and went in to wipe the seat, floor and make sure everything was kept spotless after EVERY person. Altogether an enjoyable experience.....they certainly know how to live.
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
On the outward journey of our 4 day trip to Germany..........
Last Friday (14th) the daughter and I travelled by coach to Cologne in Germany to visit the delightful Christmas Market there. This was not our first trip there, in fact it was our third, but I am determined never to go again by coach again. Time is a great healer and my memory must have dimmed about the last two trips. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about Germany or Cologne or the Hotel or indeed the markets, in fact as you will see by the next few posts I can't speak highly enough of Germany, the people, Hotel, food and not least the Gluhwein!!! No, it's the coach trip experience that I have 'beef' with.
We boarded our coach at 09.40 on 14th at a pick up bus stop near home, no probs. The crew were not very friendly (Scottish - that's certainly not why) but of course it was a 'feeder' coach so the crew didn't HAVE to be nice to us as we were not the ones who would be giving any tips to them. It was cramped and we were only offered one drink in the 3 hour journey down to Dover. The lack of leg room was really annoying but I'd upgraded us for the main journey so I wasn't too worried.
The reason we had travelled by coach was because I thought it would be good for the daughter and me to have some good bonding time together as what with work and life in general we rarely spend much time with each other without anyone else around. Anyway we were both really enthusiastic about the trip. We arrived in Dover at the designated time and without probs. We then transferred to our main trip coach and boarded the ferry on that with our new crew who were far friendlier (Scottish - I told you so!!!) and had an uneventful ferry ride to Calais, where we disembarked on the main body of the journey to our Hotel in Cologne (Germany).
About 10 minutes into the drive on the other side one of the crew decided to go through some 'rules' whilst on the coach, the main of which were sensible health and safety matters and perfectly understood. However, (you knew this was coming didn't you?) it seems our crew were not happy if anyone wanted wanted to make use of the onboard WC...... he explained that we would be given the chance to visit the loo's on various scheduled stops and we were told in no uncertain terms that we were to make use of the toilets there so that we didn't need to 'go' on the coach. He saw people look around at each other and then said it would be ok IF it was a DIRE emergency and someone COULDN'T wait any longer BUT whilst depositing 'coffee' was frowned upon, 'Do'nuts' would HAVE to be saved for the next scheduled stop.
By this time I was wondering whether I or my fellow passengers would have to stick their hands up IF they wanted to 'go', or if we would have to resort to a 'special forces' type operation.
We were offered a drink and of course I don't think I was the only one wondering if I should forego my hot chocolate this time round in case I'd need to 'GO'! I felt myself and the other passengers were experiencing obsessive thoughts about our basic bodily waste management. Suddenly a passenger stood up, two seats in front, there was an almost audible s.i.o.b. (sharp intake of breath) by an elderly lady opposite which she deftly turned into a coughing fit, but it was a false alarm because the chap reached up into the overhead area and got a book from his bag. Then a couple got out of their seats and headed towards the rear of the vehicle and sat in the lounge area there (I suspect only so they got a better view of who would be using the loo!).
A northern bloke a few seats behind belched every now and then, it wasn't very nice and I wondered how his wife stood for his rude and embarassing behaviour. I could only be glad that it wasn't issuing out from the other end - but then I guess I couldn't really know if it was!
A couple of rows behind them was a rather 'posh' couple and their daughter. The woman had such a loud voice and we were privvy to most of her conversation, about how fortunate they were that their daughter had broken up from her 'private' school and so was able to partake of the trip whilst mo0st other children were still at school, and how she was going to have to look out her breadmaker again as she didn't think she could survive Christmas without 'proper' bread (?)
An elderly lady in front got up, she manouvered into the aisle and headed toward the rear, then I noticed the red 'engaged' light at the front of the bus above the driver, I wondered whether she hadn't heard and also if the crew had noticed...... after she returned to her seat two more got up and followed suit. The passengers seemed to take on an air of relief, people chatted, sounding relaxed, I forgot I was wondering IF I wanted to 'go' and knew that I didn't really it had just been a bit of mass hysteria setting in.
A services break was announced, for which I was quite pleased, when as we were driving in 'burping Billy' got up and went into the onboard loo! Surely he could have waited two more minutes? but I rather think it was by design because after our 30 mins there we'd only just started off again when he 'went' again. I had an uncomfortable thought about 'what if...' the crew challenged him over his behaviour? But then of course they surely wouldn't do that and risk a 'do nut' deposit, or?......
We boarded our coach at 09.40 on 14th at a pick up bus stop near home, no probs. The crew were not very friendly (Scottish - that's certainly not why) but of course it was a 'feeder' coach so the crew didn't HAVE to be nice to us as we were not the ones who would be giving any tips to them. It was cramped and we were only offered one drink in the 3 hour journey down to Dover. The lack of leg room was really annoying but I'd upgraded us for the main journey so I wasn't too worried.
The reason we had travelled by coach was because I thought it would be good for the daughter and me to have some good bonding time together as what with work and life in general we rarely spend much time with each other without anyone else around. Anyway we were both really enthusiastic about the trip. We arrived in Dover at the designated time and without probs. We then transferred to our main trip coach and boarded the ferry on that with our new crew who were far friendlier (Scottish - I told you so!!!) and had an uneventful ferry ride to Calais, where we disembarked on the main body of the journey to our Hotel in Cologne (Germany).
About 10 minutes into the drive on the other side one of the crew decided to go through some 'rules' whilst on the coach, the main of which were sensible health and safety matters and perfectly understood. However, (you knew this was coming didn't you?) it seems our crew were not happy if anyone wanted wanted to make use of the onboard WC...... he explained that we would be given the chance to visit the loo's on various scheduled stops and we were told in no uncertain terms that we were to make use of the toilets there so that we didn't need to 'go' on the coach. He saw people look around at each other and then said it would be ok IF it was a DIRE emergency and someone COULDN'T wait any longer BUT whilst depositing 'coffee' was frowned upon, 'Do'nuts' would HAVE to be saved for the next scheduled stop.
By this time I was wondering whether I or my fellow passengers would have to stick their hands up IF they wanted to 'go', or if we would have to resort to a 'special forces' type operation.
We were offered a drink and of course I don't think I was the only one wondering if I should forego my hot chocolate this time round in case I'd need to 'GO'! I felt myself and the other passengers were experiencing obsessive thoughts about our basic bodily waste management. Suddenly a passenger stood up, two seats in front, there was an almost audible s.i.o.b. (sharp intake of breath) by an elderly lady opposite which she deftly turned into a coughing fit, but it was a false alarm because the chap reached up into the overhead area and got a book from his bag. Then a couple got out of their seats and headed towards the rear of the vehicle and sat in the lounge area there (I suspect only so they got a better view of who would be using the loo!).
A northern bloke a few seats behind belched every now and then, it wasn't very nice and I wondered how his wife stood for his rude and embarassing behaviour. I could only be glad that it wasn't issuing out from the other end - but then I guess I couldn't really know if it was!
A couple of rows behind them was a rather 'posh' couple and their daughter. The woman had such a loud voice and we were privvy to most of her conversation, about how fortunate they were that their daughter had broken up from her 'private' school and so was able to partake of the trip whilst mo0st other children were still at school, and how she was going to have to look out her breadmaker again as she didn't think she could survive Christmas without 'proper' bread (?)
An elderly lady in front got up, she manouvered into the aisle and headed toward the rear, then I noticed the red 'engaged' light at the front of the bus above the driver, I wondered whether she hadn't heard and also if the crew had noticed...... after she returned to her seat two more got up and followed suit. The passengers seemed to take on an air of relief, people chatted, sounding relaxed, I forgot I was wondering IF I wanted to 'go' and knew that I didn't really it had just been a bit of mass hysteria setting in.
A services break was announced, for which I was quite pleased, when as we were driving in 'burping Billy' got up and went into the onboard loo! Surely he could have waited two more minutes? but I rather think it was by design because after our 30 mins there we'd only just started off again when he 'went' again. I had an uncomfortable thought about 'what if...' the crew challenged him over his behaviour? But then of course they surely wouldn't do that and risk a 'do nut' deposit, or?......
Sunday, 9 December 2007
My little piece of heaven...........
I just uploaded my photos to my PC and I thought I'd add this one to my Blog as it will be the view that will greet me each morning when I retire. I need to remind myself that we really do have a place that is serene and relaxing to be in. These views are what I am yearning for and the tranquility and peace that comes with them. I look forward to growing our own fruit and vegetables and to keeping a few animals there. I haven't as yet decided what to call the place so any suggestions will be considered.
I am so pleased that the builders respected my wishes about not removing any of the lovely olive trees we have. I understand we shall have olives and olive oil that will last us the whole year - brilliant! Can't wait to plant an orchard on the other side of the house (mountain side) and hope we shall spend many evenings sitting on the patio watching the sun slide lower and lower until it's out of sight - pure magic! Yes, I thought of this as I inched my way into the carpark at Tesco today. It took me over half an hour to get parked then after battling my way through the hoards of people I queued for ages at the checkouts only to be behind a person who forgot THREE items! - I've forgotten things before, did I hold everyone else up? No, I waited til I went shopping next time to get whatever it was. Give me Lemar or Astro any day!
I really don't like the idea that the way of life in UK now is almost forcing me to live in the future instead of in the present, but honestly speaking there is not much that I truly enjoy in UK anymore.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Bin Collections.......
Hooray, Yippee.................! As from Tuesday (our bin day) we shall have weekly household waste collections EVERY week, Yes, that's EACH and EVERY week until the end of January 2008. How marvellous to experience normality again even just for 6/7 weeks.
I fail to understand which 'bright spark' in the Council came up with fortnightly collections, I mean we are supposed to be a civilised country (I suppose it's a matter of opinion) and let's face it even in Northern Cyprus our rubbish is collected at least twice a week! Now please don't anyone make the mistake of thinking it's much hotter out there than it is here because there is not all that difference in the temperatures for much of the time nowadays.
It's so good to think that I won't have my freezer space taken up with leftovers of fish meals, shellfish, chicken carcasses etc for a while at least. I freeze these things so that my bin doesn't stink my patio or garden out but OMG the times when I have forgotten to get the stuff out of the freezer in time for the bin collection! I used to use my freezer to stock up with food for different meals over the weeks, month but in the last couple of years the buying of fresh meats/chicken/fish has to be weighed up against what room I need to house the waste.
I also understand that there are 'bin police' who will slap a fine on you if the wrong waste is put into the wrong bin, now the daughter can be a bit scatterbrained at times and I live in fear in case she drops paper in the household waste, or in the plastics/tins box, or heaven forbid glass! Of course it isn't too difficult in the main, you just have to be totally aware when chucking anything out, but the daughter has raised a few questions - What if the paper is greasy/wet/dirty/got snot on etc? What if the cans have labels on (most do), are we to take them off? What if the plastic bottles have labels on that are paper? Why are plastic milk bottles allowed but not the plastic tops? What's wrong with plastic Yoghurt pots? - I can see her point, I have questions of my own; Cold ash is allowed in my brown bin along with garden waste but I put my cold ash in a plastic bag to stop it flying in the eyes of the bin men will I get fined for that or sued for someone going blind?! If I can put all garden waste in the brown bin why can't I put vegetable/fruit peelings in there too? this list could go on and on, so I no longer complain at the daughter I just keep checking (quietly) and hoping the choices I make will be the right ones!!!
And I live in hopes that common sense will prevail and weekly collections will be reinstated to lessen the stench of the bins that are often heaving with maggots. What's happening to a once proud nation and is it any wonder how young people will turn out when forced to live in 3rd world conditions, what pride can they ever have when walking down a tree lined avenue that stinks to high heaven!
I fail to understand which 'bright spark' in the Council came up with fortnightly collections, I mean we are supposed to be a civilised country (I suppose it's a matter of opinion) and let's face it even in Northern Cyprus our rubbish is collected at least twice a week! Now please don't anyone make the mistake of thinking it's much hotter out there than it is here because there is not all that difference in the temperatures for much of the time nowadays.
It's so good to think that I won't have my freezer space taken up with leftovers of fish meals, shellfish, chicken carcasses etc for a while at least. I freeze these things so that my bin doesn't stink my patio or garden out but OMG the times when I have forgotten to get the stuff out of the freezer in time for the bin collection! I used to use my freezer to stock up with food for different meals over the weeks, month but in the last couple of years the buying of fresh meats/chicken/fish has to be weighed up against what room I need to house the waste.
I also understand that there are 'bin police' who will slap a fine on you if the wrong waste is put into the wrong bin, now the daughter can be a bit scatterbrained at times and I live in fear in case she drops paper in the household waste, or in the plastics/tins box, or heaven forbid glass! Of course it isn't too difficult in the main, you just have to be totally aware when chucking anything out, but the daughter has raised a few questions - What if the paper is greasy/wet/dirty/got snot on etc? What if the cans have labels on (most do), are we to take them off? What if the plastic bottles have labels on that are paper? Why are plastic milk bottles allowed but not the plastic tops? What's wrong with plastic Yoghurt pots? - I can see her point, I have questions of my own; Cold ash is allowed in my brown bin along with garden waste but I put my cold ash in a plastic bag to stop it flying in the eyes of the bin men will I get fined for that or sued for someone going blind?! If I can put all garden waste in the brown bin why can't I put vegetable/fruit peelings in there too? this list could go on and on, so I no longer complain at the daughter I just keep checking (quietly) and hoping the choices I make will be the right ones!!!
And I live in hopes that common sense will prevail and weekly collections will be reinstated to lessen the stench of the bins that are often heaving with maggots. What's happening to a once proud nation and is it any wonder how young people will turn out when forced to live in 3rd world conditions, what pride can they ever have when walking down a tree lined avenue that stinks to high heaven!
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
How many doors does a small car have?...............
The bungalow opposite mine is being rented out. The tennants are a pleasant young couple, when I say young I mean mid twenties or thereabouts. The majority of the neighbours are elderly and it's lights out at about 21.00 in most of the surrounding properties, generally a very quiet neighbourhood.
I look at the clock, it's 02.23 a car has stopped opposite, the engine dies along with the strains of 'um-ber-rella, ella, ella, eh, eh eh'. Here we go,... a car door opens and is banged shut, then another, but hang on the bang wasn't very loud, I hear it open again and yes, this time there's a definite bang! There's a pause of about 5 seconds and I hear a car door opening (again) and it is banged shut almost at once, then amazingly another door sounds like it's being opened and I'm trying desperately to determine how I can have failed to spot this limo of my neighbour's when a loud bang confirms that it too has been shut. I'm wondering if they have guests staying, but would they be shutting the door in their faces? I'm tempted to get up and look out but its all been done before and it is only ever the two of them, anyway I don't want to be known for 'twitching curtains', there are enough of those round here without me joining them.
OMG, I can hear the door being opened again, or no, sounds more like the boot; I find myself counting "0ne thousand, two thousand, three thousand...." BANG! I'm holding my breath now because I'm longing to hear the beep of the central locking and that will mean peace for the rest of the night, if I miss this crucial sound I know I shan't rest properly......just in case..
I look at the clock, it's 02.23 a car has stopped opposite, the engine dies along with the strains of 'um-ber-rella, ella, ella, eh, eh eh'. Here we go,... a car door opens and is banged shut, then another, but hang on the bang wasn't very loud, I hear it open again and yes, this time there's a definite bang! There's a pause of about 5 seconds and I hear a car door opening (again) and it is banged shut almost at once, then amazingly another door sounds like it's being opened and I'm trying desperately to determine how I can have failed to spot this limo of my neighbour's when a loud bang confirms that it too has been shut. I'm wondering if they have guests staying, but would they be shutting the door in their faces? I'm tempted to get up and look out but its all been done before and it is only ever the two of them, anyway I don't want to be known for 'twitching curtains', there are enough of those round here without me joining them.
OMG, I can hear the door being opened again, or no, sounds more like the boot; I find myself counting "0ne thousand, two thousand, three thousand...." BANG! I'm holding my breath now because I'm longing to hear the beep of the central locking and that will mean peace for the rest of the night, if I miss this crucial sound I know I shan't rest properly......just in case..
Monday, 3 December 2007
Employers or budding tyrants?
What is it about certain people? Give them a bit of power and they become absolute tyrants. When the daughter was at college doing her A levels she had a little evening and weekend job doing telephone sales for a kitchen firm (no names). She had worked there for a few weeks when she rang me soon after I had dropped her off to collect her again as there were no seats available for the shift she was given. This happened a few times and necessitated either me having to turn around, go back into town and collect her again or if I was at work she would have to go and wait for a bus back home and be out of pocket not just for the fare to the place but also then back home again.
I knew this state of affairs was not right but she would not allow me to speak to the manager (extremely uncool thing to do!) The reason for what was happening was that a couple of them did not find a seat for their shift so they returned really early for the next shift and so this had a knock on effect for the following shifts.
The daughter worked there for a while but after she left she then told me other unacceptable practices that went on there but that no one dared to complain about or they would get 'fined' - these fines were implemented for a variety of things such as £10 fine for not enough 'hits' (a 'hit' was a person who agreed to receive further information about the product) during a shift which forced some of the young people to beg the person on the other end of the phone just to say they were interested so that they didn't get fined!
If anyone outside asked any questions about what was going on there then they were in danger of the whole of their wages being forfeited. Also when she applied for a P45 after finishing she was told she was 'self-emplolyed' and so didn't need one. The most annoying thing she found was that one particular track would be played over and over until every one of them got a hit - I think this could actually become a form of torture (depending on the artist I suppose).
The daughter has also been told that if she wants to take holiday she is owed then she must resign!!! (which she has done not because of the holiday but because she has got herself a better job). It amazes me how these employers feel they can get away with this sort of behaviour - I suppose because they can. It's not only employers of young people but also the attitude of bank tellers, people at the council, Doctors receptionists (I'll write a whole new blog on them one day!), they all think that just because a person is under 21 they can treat them like as though they are somehow inferior.
The daughter may be young but she's a chip off the old block and she is learning how to assert heself and insist on her rights, slowly but surely, thankfully........
I knew this state of affairs was not right but she would not allow me to speak to the manager (extremely uncool thing to do!) The reason for what was happening was that a couple of them did not find a seat for their shift so they returned really early for the next shift and so this had a knock on effect for the following shifts.
The daughter worked there for a while but after she left she then told me other unacceptable practices that went on there but that no one dared to complain about or they would get 'fined' - these fines were implemented for a variety of things such as £10 fine for not enough 'hits' (a 'hit' was a person who agreed to receive further information about the product) during a shift which forced some of the young people to beg the person on the other end of the phone just to say they were interested so that they didn't get fined!
If anyone outside asked any questions about what was going on there then they were in danger of the whole of their wages being forfeited. Also when she applied for a P45 after finishing she was told she was 'self-emplolyed' and so didn't need one. The most annoying thing she found was that one particular track would be played over and over until every one of them got a hit - I think this could actually become a form of torture (depending on the artist I suppose).
The daughter has also been told that if she wants to take holiday she is owed then she must resign!!! (which she has done not because of the holiday but because she has got herself a better job). It amazes me how these employers feel they can get away with this sort of behaviour - I suppose because they can. It's not only employers of young people but also the attitude of bank tellers, people at the council, Doctors receptionists (I'll write a whole new blog on them one day!), they all think that just because a person is under 21 they can treat them like as though they are somehow inferior.
The daughter may be young but she's a chip off the old block and she is learning how to assert heself and insist on her rights, slowly but surely, thankfully........
Sunday, 2 December 2007
More on the 'little corner of heaven'................
We have just returned from the TRNC (again) and it is definitely Winter'ish. I say this because though we had a couple of days of rain, the rest were gorgeous, sunbathing weather, although not really swimming weather due to a certain nip in the air if/when the sun went behind a cloud. The nights were most definitely cold and we were thankful for the goosedown duvet we took out in anticipation of the temperature drop.
Within a couple of days of rain everywhere was looking greener and fresh. How wonderfully close to nature it is watching the lightening out at sea, feeling the wind whip up around you, finally hearing the thunder and waiting for the rain to begin. I sat out on the balcony for more than half an hour feeling quite humble as a mere human being in the midst of this incredibly powerful show of nature, I was excited and totally in awe of the forces around me. At last when the rain did come it was no disappointment, great large blobs fell, each one splattering a couple of inches in diameter. How satisfying, the feeling of being able to slide my doors shut against the elements but still be able to see it all from the warmth and safety of my home.
This time out there we decided to have gas central heating fitted in the new house as we rely on a calor gas heater and the aircon unit which can also blow warm air - obviously due to the power cut that was not working. Most people I have spoken to say that central heating is unnecessary as it's only cold at night but maybe it's due to the stage of life that we're in, I just feel I'm too old to start suffering from a cold house even if it is only for 3 months of the year. I am not cold in Winter in UK so why should I be in Cyprus?
The house is coming on a treat, the roof is on now and the channels for the central heating pipes have been dug into the walls, the door frames have been fitted and the electrician is starting next week. We also had very good news about the well we had dug. While we were there a month ago it was dug but no water was found. As luck would have it when we went this time (before the rains) we thought we'd check and there was quite a bit of water in it - we got a pump to remove it and a couple of tons of water was taken out - this is such good news for us because without a well we would not have been able to have a pool or keep the orchard watered etc., not to mention the livestock I'm planning on keeping. I am so thankful for this water which may seem odd to anyone reading this in a country where it is taken for granted so much that we all waste far too much of it, and I am mindful of those less fortunate who are without this precious commodity.
We shall go out again in a couple of months to see the progress, but so far so good, it is all well ahead of schedule and excellent workmanship. Once bitten, twice shy as the saying goes with this build (our final home) we are determined to follow it very carefully to make sure everything is as it should be.
Within a couple of days of rain everywhere was looking greener and fresh. How wonderfully close to nature it is watching the lightening out at sea, feeling the wind whip up around you, finally hearing the thunder and waiting for the rain to begin. I sat out on the balcony for more than half an hour feeling quite humble as a mere human being in the midst of this incredibly powerful show of nature, I was excited and totally in awe of the forces around me. At last when the rain did come it was no disappointment, great large blobs fell, each one splattering a couple of inches in diameter. How satisfying, the feeling of being able to slide my doors shut against the elements but still be able to see it all from the warmth and safety of my home.
This time out there we decided to have gas central heating fitted in the new house as we rely on a calor gas heater and the aircon unit which can also blow warm air - obviously due to the power cut that was not working. Most people I have spoken to say that central heating is unnecessary as it's only cold at night but maybe it's due to the stage of life that we're in, I just feel I'm too old to start suffering from a cold house even if it is only for 3 months of the year. I am not cold in Winter in UK so why should I be in Cyprus?
The house is coming on a treat, the roof is on now and the channels for the central heating pipes have been dug into the walls, the door frames have been fitted and the electrician is starting next week. We also had very good news about the well we had dug. While we were there a month ago it was dug but no water was found. As luck would have it when we went this time (before the rains) we thought we'd check and there was quite a bit of water in it - we got a pump to remove it and a couple of tons of water was taken out - this is such good news for us because without a well we would not have been able to have a pool or keep the orchard watered etc., not to mention the livestock I'm planning on keeping. I am so thankful for this water which may seem odd to anyone reading this in a country where it is taken for granted so much that we all waste far too much of it, and I am mindful of those less fortunate who are without this precious commodity.
We shall go out again in a couple of months to see the progress, but so far so good, it is all well ahead of schedule and excellent workmanship. Once bitten, twice shy as the saying goes with this build (our final home) we are determined to follow it very carefully to make sure everything is as it should be.
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