Author Archives: garymoore

New glasses

A few weeks ago, I ordered new glasses. They’re made to order, so I expected to wait a few weeks.

I was surprised when they arrived early last week, sooner than I’d expected. On opening the package, I discovered why I’d received such an excellent service. The lenses hadn’t been fitted.

As instructed, I posted the frames direct to the lab the following day. And received them back today. Again, pretty good service.

Although the lenses appear to be for my reading prescription rather than the distance lenses I’d ordered. I’ve asked whether I should return the frames to the lab. And whether the second pair I’d subsequently ordered will have the correct lenses.

Things to do on a Bank Holiday

Sunny Bank Holidays are rare in the UK, so we should make the most of them and do stuff outdoors. Beer gardens. Yes, beer gardens are great on a sunny day.

So that’s what we decided to do today. So I decided to work in the shed again. I was perhaps a little overly optimistic yesterday when I said that the wall I’m now working on isn’t as bad as the last.

It’s not seriously damp, which is of course a good thing. But there were a couple of cave-ins today.

However, after several hours’ work the wall is now safe.

Looking pretty much as it did yesterday.

And, also as yesterday, I’m sitting in the garden with a couple of woodpigeons (one’s in the tree).

Gardening

Since the weather’s changed for the better, I couldn’t put off resuming work on the shed.

This wall is a lot more solid than the first one I tackled, so it wasn’t so easy to remove the inside layer of stone.

Doing a spot of gardening now.

While sitting here, a magpie arrived.

My second encounter with such a creature today. The first was this morning, when, on arriving at the tip, we saw a magpie attacking a young parrot.

An old lady and I scared off the magpie, but the parrot was unaccessible, behind a high fence. Also in the queue was a parrot breeder (there had to be), who said he’d drive back around to capture the bird.

So, the old lady and I stood guard until he returned.

Unfortunately, a girl with a stick arrived before he did. I’d acquired a towel from one of the site workers, but hadn’t used it because I didn’t want to harm the bird. The girl, however, pointed the stick in the parrot’s direction. Apparently, the bird was supposed to walk onto the stick.

It flew off. Just before the parrot professional arrived.

As I was writing this, a pair of pigeons landed on the fence. This will be their second year of nesting in our tree.

Cycling III

A longer bike ride today, down to Team Valley, then to the quayside, Ouseburn and back. Of course, we needed to stop for a rest now and again.

We rested at the Tyne Bar, the Cumberland Arms and the Cluny. We’re currently resting in the Bridge Hotel.

Crossing the high level bridge will probably be tiring, so another rest is scheduled for the Central.

Durham Road

I do appreciate advertising which acknowledges the local area. I’d imagine it’s not particularly costly, so it’s important to get it right.

For example, I’ve learned that it’s only 17 minutes from Durham Road to Newcastle.

As I say, accuracy is important. Durham Road’s quite long so I’m wondering if the timing of 17 minutes is an average.

It can’t be a reference to the time taken from the location of the poster. Because this bus shelter’s actually on Old Durham Road.

Pies

Today was the second day of our local’s pie festival.

The vegetarian choice is pretty good. Really good.

I quite enjoyed the two vegan pies I sampled tonight. I rate the aloo gobi highly, but the green-filled second pie was very nice too. I’m not sure what was in it, but it was tasty.

When I say green, I’m not referring to anything you can’t buy from Lidl.

Cycling II

I’ve found I can combine two favourite things. We’ve cycled to the Tyne Bar, then to the Ship for something to eat, then (walked) to the Cluny.

Afterwards, we cycled back along the quayside, folded-up the bikes, then caught a bus home to the Tuns.

Wish I’d bought one of these years ago.

Cycling

Test driving the new bikes.

After years of mountain bikes, the high centre of gravity and old style gears were a little weird, but they’re very easy to ride.

Culture & coincidence

Yesterday we enjoyed more culture. My second in command had a conversation with a girl in Sloan’s the other day. Which resulted in us visiting Partick yesterday.

We quite liked Partick; we had our nails done and watched the Liverpool-Stoke match in the Deoch an Dorus.

We then had great curry.

Yesterday was also a day of coincidence; synchronicity even.

Yes, we saw the Shiverin Sheiks for the second time in two days.

Which might in itself not be unusual. But, in conversation with the front man, I was asked if I knew Ratty. That’s Ratty who runs the Mean Eyed Cat, the former owner of the Schooner anf previously manager of the Central and the Head of Steam.

Which was pretty spooky. Apparently, the band had played at the Schooner previously. They’re playing at the Sage this summer.

They’re well worth seeing.

Anyway, some pictures of cultural activities.

While in the 13th Note, we met up with some people who were also in Glasgow for the cancelled William McCarthy gig. We all went on to MacSorley’s to watch another band.

Sadly, we need to return to normality today.