tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/The rants raves and comments on life, music, the internet, crime, punishment, books, sport, town centres, liars, officialdom, cost of living, pollyticks, unemployment, autonomy and anything else that crops up from time to timeMokoFeed2009-11-21T14:14:48+01:00tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-11-19:/2009/11/19/the-drive-7414140/Middleagedbloke2009-11-19T16:05:54+01:002009-11-19T16:05:54+01:00 <p>Well I did it, drove from Benalmadena to Almuñecar! Phew.</p> <p>Put off my departure until after half one as it had rained overnight and I wanted nice sunny conditions for the trip, I am a nervous driver. Luckily once I had rounded Malaga the autovia was almost empty and it was a pleasant enough drive from there on in. I pulled into the town car park at a quarter to three and was in my chums place by 5 to. Meeting my bro later on and we'll drive in convoy to the village, he will be doing up the car over the next few months as it does have one or two problems.<br> Seems to me that it does'nt like going up hills, and there are some big ones on the way here, it needs 2 new rear view mirrors and the suspension seems a bit bouncy to say the least! It is a Citreon so the clever gizmos they have for raising and lowering the car could be at fault, I dunno as my bro is the family mechanic.<br> Here for a while until I pick up some more work or wait it out until next spring, who can tell....<br> Hope you are all safe and dry!<br> Nigel </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/the-drive-7414140/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-10-06:/2009/10/06/the-workplace-photos-7111491/Middleagedbloke2009-10-06T16:45:49+02:002009-10-06T16:45:49+02:00 <p><a title="Benalmadena2 147" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/004/3974004_99b2a8b64a_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 147"></a><a title="Benalmadena 082" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/005/3974005_08b512ec51_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena 082"></a></p> <p>Top picture is of yours truly, preparing a barbeque at sea on Sunday and the lower one is of my crew girl, Nicky, filing her nails at the office!!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/the-workplace-photos-7111491/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-10-06:/2009/10/06/a-few-more-pix-7111436/Middleagedbloke2009-10-06T16:38:13+02:002009-10-06T16:38:13+02:00 <p>Just a few random pix from the last few days, the one from the night time is of a nutter who was part of a group of "golfers" on their last night out!!<a title="Benalmadena4 017" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/980/3973980_dd72c6b601_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena4 017"></a><a title="Benalmadena4 027" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/981/3973981_2b8f73fdb1_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena4 027"></a><a title="Benalmadena4 011" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/982/3973982_7b2dc9bead_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena4 011"></a><a title="Benalmadena4 019" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/983/3973983_145e3b8375_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena4 019"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/a-few-more-pix-7111436/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-10-05:/2009/10/05/pissed-off-7106165/Middleagedbloke2009-10-05T20:53:24+02:002009-10-05T20:53:24+02:00 <p>with waitng for photos to upload here.</p> <p>Got a tadge sunburnt today and some great video footage of dolphins feeding but it has been over half an hour now and still has not loaded. Need to take my laptop to work tomorrow and try using that in Marina internet cafe.</p> <p>Mini heat wave here at the moment, deck temperature was <span><strong><span>38* C</span></strong></span> this afternoon and it is currently 23* on the street.</p> <p>Stay warm and dry,</p> <p>Nigel</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/pissed-off-7106165/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-09-18:/2009/09/18/rain-6990153/Middleagedbloke2009-09-18T12:59:50+02:002009-09-18T12:59:50+02:00 <p>It rained yesterday.<br> About 20 minutes or so<br> Just thought I should inform you all.<br> Back to 27 odd degrees now so all is normal again.<br> Mind you the westerly wind is a bit chilly.<br> Have a good one.<br> Nigel </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/09/18/rain-6990153/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-09-11:/2009/09/11/joy-and-happiness-6943929/Middleagedbloke2009-09-11T18:33:50+02:002009-09-11T18:33:50+02:00 <p>Went to a good friends wedding reception on Wednesday and what a wonderful time was had.</p> <p>Oz used to work with us a couple of years back and he met Violetta on the boat during ther course of the summer, just another one of Ozzies conquests we all thought. But no he gave up a good life here in Spain and moved to London with Violetta at the end of the season. " years later they are married!</p> <p>Oz is Spanish, Argentinian and Australian all rolled into one, his family moved to Argentina in the early 60s much like many brits moved to Australia, but when things went a bit tits up there they moved onto Australia and then back to Spain a few years back. Violetta is Polish and one of the success stories of the "Polish invasion", she has her own business and house in North west London. Her family flew in en masse from Poland and have been having the time of thier lives out here. What a bunch, I am exhausted from their company and boy do they like a beer or 2 with vodka chasers............ They seem to forget some of us have to work the following morning! Any way Ì am taking them to an Indian restaurant tonight so that should be fun. We have done the Tapas bars and now it is my turn. Lord have mercy on my Liver</p> <p>Thats it for now. Still loving it and there is a decent chance of me wintering in Greneda rather than Granada. More on that when I know more. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/joy-and-happiness-6943929/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/those-pesky-and-elusive-photos-at-last-6809255/Middleagedbloke2009-08-24T14:36:36+02:002009-08-24T14:36:36+02:00 <p><a title="Benalmadena2 030" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/304/3820304_725580f5fa_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 030"></a><a title="Benalmadena2 063" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/305/3820305_c366c1107b_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 063"></a><a title="Benalmadena2 009" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/306/3820306_537100b1f4_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 009"></a><a title="Benalmadena2 065" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/307/3820307_605d7028cd_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 065"></a><a title="Benalmadena2 093" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/308/3820308_435489a325_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 093"></a><a title="Benalmadena2 111" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/309/3820309_c099aa0a3d_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena2 111"></a></p> <p>All get larger I hope on clicking!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/those-pesky-and-elusive-photos-at-last-6809255/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-08-20:/2009/08/20/a-random-selection-of-photos-6765451/Middleagedbloke2009-08-20T11:39:07+02:002009-08-20T11:39:07+02:00 <p>Just a few recent photos as my boat is out of commision for a day or so. Skipper yesterday managed to fry one of my gearboxes! AS usual click for larger image</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/08/20/a-random-selection-of-photos-6765451/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-08-19:/2009/08/19/not-disappeared-6759984/Middleagedbloke2009-08-19T16:10:04+02:002009-08-19T16:10:04+02:00 <p>Hi there blogmates.<br> Just a swift few words to let you know I is still in the land of the living and loving it out here again. Willl post photos later today and show a few dolphins the sea and me and crew mates enjoying life really.. have photos on disc but disc at studio and I am here, Shit happens. Day off today and wasted most of it pounding the hot footpaths of Torremolinos and Malaga looking for a dongle fo my laptop. Every where has sold out, even Carrefour. Proxima semana, possible. that is the constant refrain yet I know with Spain being shut for August next week will not happen, such is life and now I have found a comfortable cafe to use will be on line a bit more frequently.</p> <p>I love you all and miss the daily banter.</p> <p>Nigel, a sun tanned adonis</p> <p>(OK so thats pushing it a bit!!!!) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/08/19/not-disappeared-6759984/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-23:/2009/07/23/vida-a-la-costa-6575955/Middleagedbloke2009-07-23T22:42:05+02:002009-07-23T22:42:05+02:00 <p>Hi folks back again</p> <p>The photos here were taken last Sunday at the Virgin del Carmen celebration in Malaga last Sunday. <a title="Benalmadena 107" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/976/3715976_1f30b04e8c_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena 107"></a><a title="Benalmadena 115" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/979/3715979_97953c5867_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena 115"></a><a title="Benalmadena 117" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/985/3715985_4dd351eb4d_m.jpg" alt="Benalmadena 117"></a><br>This is one of the local fishing boatsn celebrating the day. Elf an safety me arse.</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/23/vida-a-la-costa-6575955/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-13:/2009/07/13/back-home-6507159/Middleagedbloke2009-07-13T19:04:40+02:002009-07-13T19:04:40+02:00 <p><a title="travellogue 009" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/226/3682226_f9844944f0_m.jpg" alt="travellogue 009"></a><a title="travellogue 010" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/227/3682227_d171c89e5d_m.jpg" alt="travellogue 010"></a></p> <p>Now why did I want to come home to Spain ?</p> <p>Just arrived in from the airport and 2 of my co-workers greet me.</p> <p>Would have had more photos from todays first trips but forgot to bring cable up from boat to transfer images from camera.<br>It is bloody hot and sunny. Found Dolphins on my first trip out of the day but screwed up my first attempt at mooring her up. We all do it as each boat has different characteristics and take a little time to get used to.</p> <p>Tomorrow I am training on the catamaran, which I sailed accross the atlantic 3 years back but need to get re-aquainted with.</p> <p>Arrived here lunchtime yesterday and had a big re-union dinner with some old hands and a few new faces, a lot of people have left the marina that I knew but life is a cycle and I am sure to make a lot of new chums here.</p> <p>One happy bunny signing off for the moment.</p> <p>More tomorrow.....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/13/back-home-6507159/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-13:/2009/07/13/noon-shots-fron-sunday-and-monday-6507086/Middleagedbloke2009-07-13T18:53:40+02:002009-07-13T18:53:40+02:00 <p><a title="travellogue 005" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/188/3682188_573ee88c44_m.jpg" alt="travellogue 005"></a><a title="travellogue 011" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/189/3682189_5b6c8c0dc7_m.jpg" alt="travellogue 011"></a></p> <p>Top pic from 'plane as we came into land down the Guadalhorce Valley. The railway here passes through several tunnels and there is a gorge with a narrow walkway along it. Very wonderful place to be, and where some of the scenes from Von Ryans Express were filmed in the 60s.</p> <p>Bottom photo one of my 2  new offices arriving back in Port.</p> <p>Click for bigger images</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/13/noon-shots-fron-sunday-and-monday-6507086/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-12:/2009/07/12/weather-6495207/Middleagedbloke2009-07-12T05:48:20+02:002009-07-12T05:51:11+02:00 <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="travellogue 003"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/884/3676884_764c712615_m.jpg" alt="travellogue 003"></a></p> <p>Newcastle airport 0430</p> <p>Just thought you should all know. Just Googled Malaga weather,</p> <p>Sun and Mon a mere 32 degrees<br> Tues 34<br> Weds 35</p> <p>Boy am I going to be glad of any sea breeze. Yipee back to bronze. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/12/weather-6495207/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-12:/2009/07/12/travellogue-6495189/Middleagedbloke2009-07-12T05:30:40+02:002009-07-12T05:30:40+02:00 <p>Continuing on. I reckon the only people who benefit from these early morning departures from our airports are the bloody taxi drivers. There is no public transport serving any UK airport after about midnight. I will gladly stand corrected on this point.</p> <p>With so many flights leaving at silly o'clock in the morning and arriving too then surely there should be the option of arriving by a variety of means. Where is the freedom of consumer choice. Whether you decide to bring your car or arrive by taxi you are adding a considerable amount to your holiday for either parking fees or the excess charged by cabbies for the unsocial hours and premium they have to pay to operate from an airport.</p> <p>I however am not complaining as those fine folk at National Express East Coast, you know the ones who have decided that they do not like making a loss and therefore don't like this line anymore, let me travel from Darlo to Newcastle for nothing! Then Tyne and Wear Metro did the same.</p> <p>See Public transport is cheaper than any other method.</p> <p>As my (southern) mate in Darlo said though even free is too much to pay to get to Newcastle! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/12/travellogue-6495189/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-12:/2009/07/12/travelogue-11th-and-12th-july-6494749/Middleagedbloke2009-07-12T01:05:15+02:002009-07-12T01:05:15+02:00 <p>Well what a day its been. Up with the bloody larks, well the alarm went off at 0830.</p> <p>Thinking about it I probably was up with the larks as I had a book to finish before returning it to the library this morning. So yes up with the larks. As such a thing would dare to reside in a shit hole like Darlington.</p> <p>As I said the alarm did its thing at half 8 and I did my thing with the snooze button until 9, when I scambled out of the pit , got through the ablutions process unscathed and was on the bright, for once, mean streets of Darlo by half past To library and return now read books and 4 CDs. Bugger the CDs were due back yesterday, ah well £1,20 fine. Through town to collect my advanced Spanish CD which was ordered a few weeks back and long before I knew about the job. I could probably have got it cheaper on line but have this belief in trying to support local businesses when and where I can. Possibily this is due to my having had my own small business in the past, I don't know. It just feels right.</p> <p>Back to Grotty Flat by 10 thirty and start cleaning and collecting rubbish, where does it all come from? Luckily My mate Doug and I cleared most of the big stuff yesterday so there was only the bed and some small stuff left. I have donated the bed, sofa and Futon sofabed to Doug and his mississ. The rest is in his shed. Even the little we had took 3 trips. 1 trip for each part of the bed. Hovered up and handed in the keys and all of a sudden 3 hours had disappeared.</p> <p>Popped into Mrrisons to collect a few last minute bits and pieces, mainly tooth glue as that is really pricey in Spain. then spent a boring night in front of the telly. It was a timely reminder NEVER GET A TV. Booked taxi for 10 for the 5 minute ride to the station having decided to get an earlier train than originally planned. This was for two reasons really. the first being that I did'nt want to risk missing a Metro connection to the Airport and secondly I wanted to miss pub chucking out time on the local network too. There is nothing worse than anyone drunk assailing you in a language or dialect you have difficulty interpreting when they are sober let alone pissed.</p> <p>The Geordie accent is one of the most difficult for me to understand and I have just had half a year trying!</p> <p>I was actually writing this in Starbucks at the airport on my open office thingy when the barista informed me that there was free wi-fi if I was looking for it. Tell me more sez I. There is a place at the back of the BA lounge where you can pick up their free system rather than pay for the stupid rates that the airport want to charge. So here I am at 1a.m. blogging. Just been visited by the old bill as I am just on the cusp of 2 cameras and can not quite be seen. When he saw I was an ordinary MAB he wished me a pleasant night and ambled off.</p> <p>More on the nights events later maybe otherwise next post will be from Malaga/Benalmadena.</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/12/travelogue-11th-and-12th-july-6494749/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-11:/2009/07/11/noon-shots-6490375/Middleagedbloke2009-07-11T12:24:41+02:002009-07-11T12:24:41+02:00 <p>As suggested by La_Spice on Blogship Lollipop.</p> <p>My noon shots. Clearing out the flat prior to moving on tomorrow.</p> <p>Click for big if you must</p> <p><a title="noon shots 001" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/431/3674431_f94aa2e6e6_m.jpg" alt="noon shots 001"></a><a title="noon shots 002" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/432/3674432_ef85a37b62_m.jpg" alt="noon shots 002"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/11/noon-shots-6490375/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/thanks-folks-6478981/Middleagedbloke2009-07-09T14:54:52+02:002009-07-09T14:54:52+02:00 <p>Just a swift note of thanks to all of you for your help here and on Ask or Answer today.</p> <p>You are all truly wonderful people. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/thanks-folks-6478981/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/baclays-bank-plc-6478897/Middleagedbloke2009-07-09T14:39:34+02:002009-07-09T14:39:34+02:00 <p>I have just spoken to a very understanding lady by the name of Sarah at Barclays complaints department who has duly noted my complaint and explained to me theat the process of loaning and granting overdrafts is heavily regulated and there is nothing anyone can do to change the decision once made by a computer. (she did'nt actually say that but it is what she inferred).<br> Contact with Directors of the company is not possible.<br> Once I am working and the bank sees money rolling into my account from my salary then they will be more than happy to give me an overdraft or lan or credit card. I will not need any of these things then. I am stupid enough to believe that one should live within ones means and not get heavily indebted to anyone.<br> I'm fucked for the next month. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/baclays-bank-plc-6478897/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/atishoo-6478371/Middleagedbloke2009-07-09T12:54:41+02:002009-07-09T12:54:41+02:00 <p>Just made a comment on La_Spices blog about the Wedding.</p> <p>Got me to wondering as to whether one can still buy sneezing powder, and if not do kids still know how to make it for them selves?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/atishoo-6478371/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/british-workers-6475764/Middleagedbloke2009-07-09T03:09:42+02:002009-07-09T03:09:42+02:00 <p><strong><span><span><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/icon_crazy.gif" alt=""> I wonder when these fine examples of British workers will realise where they parked their van before installing the posts today?</span></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span><span><a title="workmen2" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/570/3668570_fcc9004286_m.jpg" alt="workmen2"></a></span></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span><span>Click for bigger laugh!!!</span></span></strong></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/british-workers-6475764/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-08:/2009/07/08/leaving-the-country-6473683/Middleagedbloke2009-07-08T18:43:04+02:002009-07-08T18:43:04+02:00 <p><img src="http://bestsmileys.com/angry1/5.gif"></p> <p>Well thats how I feel right now. Went to the bank earlier on today to request a small overdraught to tide me over my first months work. I took with me my job offer with my pay clearly shown and that it would be paid into my account on the 1st of each month. They turned me down as there has not been enough "activity" on my account, basically I have never gone into the red, or needed to borrow before. I explained that I had been only working part time and had therefore thought it prudent, to quote one G. Brown esq., to live within my means. I further explained that the job was offered at short notice and I had been unable to make provision for the lean month ahead. I will arrive in Malaga on Sunday night with abut £50 in my pocket.</p> <p>I had asked for £200, which although not a lot would have been enough for me.</p> <p>No wonder I want to get out. I have to leave money in the account here to cover all the various bits and pieces one has to pay, water board, internet etc. Oh well they'll go unpaid then. and I will worry about that another year.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/leaving-the-country-6473683/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-08:/2009/07/08/travelling-6473255/Middleagedbloke2009-07-08T17:34:20+02:002009-07-08T17:34:20+02:00 <p>if ever any of you wondered about travelling the world and what its all about, have a look at my friend Frans web blog thingy. She has been on the road with her daughter since June last year. </p> <p><a href="http://www.nomadicmother.com">www.nomadicmother.com</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/travelling-6473255/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-08:/2009/07/08/a-couple-of-funnies-6472767/Middleagedbloke2009-07-08T16:18:34+02:002009-07-08T16:18:34+02:00 <p><a title="funny2" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/871/3666871_10548ccfa4_m.jpg" alt="funny2"></a>Great Tatoo?<a title="Funny3" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/872/3666872_885a8f1b22_m.jpg" alt="Funny3"></a>Bikini</p> <p><a title="funny4" href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/funny4/3666873"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/873/3666873_8cbeb64300_s.jpg" alt="funny4"></a><a title="funny5" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/874/3666874_126a693c5d_m.gif" alt="funny5"></a><a title="funny9" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/875/3666875_bacabe5f66_m.jpg" alt="funny9"></a><a title="funny10" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/876/3666876_852b9ca35e_m.jpg" alt="funny10"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/a-couple-of-funnies-6472767/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-07:/2009/07/07/new-job-6469177/Middleagedbloke2009-07-07T23:51:48+02:002009-07-07T23:51:48+02:00 <p>Got a phone call at half 2 this afternoon offering me a job in Spain as skipper on a charter boat. At last freedom from the blasted WMC!  Back to my first love sailing. Not only that it is quite well paid as well. A damn site better than minimum wage part time in Darlington. <br>Ah well of course it means I'll miss the Hull piss up. Anyone need a hotel room? and train ticket from Darlo to Hull?<br>I am so happy!!!!! <img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/image/smileys/060lol.gif" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/07/new-job-6469177/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-06:/2009/07/06/summer-6459527/Middleagedbloke2009-07-06T15:49:06+02:002009-07-06T15:49:06+02:00 <p>Yes this is high summer as viewed from my prison cell of an apartment.</p> <p><a title="darlo 004" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/306/3661306_c028517db4_m.jpg" alt="darlo 004"></a><br><a title="darlo 005" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/307/3661307_c6f696f344_m.jpg" alt="darlo 005"></a> </p> <p>click for bigger image<br>No wonder I hate this place!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/06/summer-6459527/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-03:/2009/07/03/nothing-done-6443541/Middleagedbloke2009-07-03T17:49:37+02:002009-07-03T17:49:37+02:00 <p>Or so it would seem. I left the flat 10 minutes ago as I had no milk. That was my first foray into the outdoor world all day! I have done nothing all day, what a complete waste.<br>I have read a little, dozed a lot, drunk coffee and eaten. Made one or two inconsequential phone calls to friends and family and paid a couple of bills on line.<br>Thats it for a whole day. Now of course I have to steel myself for 4 hours at the WMC I work in. I feel knackered.</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/nothing-done-6443541/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-02:/2009/07/03/another-boring-day-6439930/Middleagedbloke2009-07-03T00:43:01+02:002009-07-03T00:43:01+02:00 <p>.... but at least the sun shone on Darlo today. The first time since the current "heatwave" began. In fact the weather has totally reinforced my opinion of this horrid little town, boring. Newcastle , a mere half an hour north of here had torrents of rain and flooods yesterday, Darlo grey uncompromising skies all day.</p> <p>The towns market place looked good at lunchtime today though.</p> <p><a title="darlo 003" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/104/3651104_d87e7a283f_m.jpg" alt="darlo 003"></a><br>(click for larger image)</p> <p>Went to see my lovely solicitor today who told me in the nicest possible way that it was pointless trying to claim against the council for last years alleged shortfall. We crunched a few numbers and yes it seems that from Jan to March I was earning £7 a week over the threshold!</p> <p>All is not lost as I had to go to the council offices to report my reduced hours and was there told by a very helpful official that it looks like I will now fall into the reduced council tax zone and that she will be sending that department a memo with my new working hours and income. Light at the end of the tunnel? I live in hope.</p> <p>Pop into the library and get this weeks reading, nothing all that earth shattering, Gerald Seymour, Jasper Fforde, Bateman and this weeks new author for me, Mark Wernham. 4 CDs aswell compilations this week.</p> <p>I think a sound card has packed up on the laptop as music will not play properly through the speakers or the cans. Bloody annoying as I use it for the radio and Skype and video conferencing. More bleding expense I suspect.</p> <p>Work tonight was the usual boring shite but I won the quiz again by 3 clear points, which does'nt say much for me or the opposition when I look at my performance on the Ask or Answer Daily quiz..</p> <p>Have a good one all. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/another-boring-day-6439930/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-07-01:/2009/07/01/poll-tax-ok-then-council-tax-6432059/Middleagedbloke2009-07-01T17:33:59+02:002009-07-01T17:33:59+02:00 <p>As I have mentioned on here before I think, I allegedly owe the local council £149 odd from last years tax account. This strangely has risen to £215 plus. We are in dispute yet they have issued an attachment of earnings to my employer to recover the money they claim I owe them. Fair enough give them enough rope........</p> <p>Today I check my bank account to make sure I have enough in there to buy some little amount of sustenance to find I am around £70 better off than I thought I was. Whey hey!</p> <p>But no: further investigation shows that the wonderkids at Darlo council have not made the poll tax withdrawal I have authorised them to do. In some panic I call the department. I speak to a lovely person who ultimately is unable to assist me but is sympathetic to my cause. I signed a Direct debit authorisation for the council to extract £68 of my hard earned from the 1st of June 2009 in a vain attempt to avoid the sort of dispute I am in with them over the alleged shortfall for 2008/9. </p> <p>Stupidly I did not check my bank accounts for June as I had other money coming in and was not to worried about the direct debits due. I had enough to cover them and the dough to pay for my First Aid couse aswell.</p> <p>So in effect what has happened is that Darlo BC have not taken the £136 for the past 2 months as expected by, and authorised by, me. The person I was speaking with could find no reason why the money had not been comes into playApparently not. The convenient computers downs syndrome comes into play. However I can restart the payments from 1st August. OK go ahead do it. Righty ho, so from the first of August we will take £88 odd per month from your account.</p> <p>HOLD ON A BLINKING MINUTE!!!!</p> <p>I explain that I have had to bite the proverbial bullet to find the £68 and that £88 per month is a physical impossibility, what if I pay the £68 pounds I have spare in my account now now and allieviate the pressure. </p> <p>Yes this is possible but alas the system is down and we cannot take payments over the phone or on line, and in any case this will bring my monthly payment down to £77 per month. More than I can afford I tell the lowly clerk. Her advice.</p> <p>Go and see the CAB and inform them of the councils ineptitude and get a financial statement drawn up. </p> <p>This is a cock up by the council, not by me (for once) and still I am being hammered. </p> <p>I have a meeting with a solicitor tomorrow afternoon about the attachment order for last years alleged deficit, I shall throw this into the mix and look forward to my day in the courts.</p> <p>I feel better now having written all this out hwever incoherent it may seem to you the poor reader..</p> <p>Hopefully normal service will resume soon.    </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/07/01/poll-tax-ok-then-council-tax-6432059/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-06-28:/2009/06/28/captains-challenge-6416800/Middleagedbloke2009-06-28T23:36:04+02:002009-06-28T23:36:04+02:00 </p> <p>So here's what you have to do:</p> <p>Make three statements about yourself - two true and one false and see how many people can guess the untruth.</p> <p> </p> <p>1. I was asked by the President of a country to turn the sound down as he was giving an important speech in the building next door.</p> <p>2.  I have appeared on stage in front of 90,000 people.</p> <p>3. I can not swim.</p> <p>Which is the lie and which two are true.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/captains-challenge-6416800/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk,2009-06-27:/2009/06/27/amble-marina-lw-tide-6409195/Middleagedbloke2009-06-27T23:38:26+02:002009-06-27T23:42:27+02:00 <p><a title="Amble 26.06.09 003" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/660/3635660_de3ef22f8e_m.jpg" alt="Amble 26.06.09 003"></a><a title="Amble 26.06.09 005" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/648/3635648_6a402a7e79_m.jpg" alt="Amble 26.06.09 005"></a><a title="Amble 26.06.09 003" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/647/3635647_de3ef22f8e_m.jpg" alt="Amble 26.06.09 003"></a></p> Low tide</p> <p> </p> <p>Amble North East UK bloody cold day 26/06/2009</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://middleagedbloke.blog.co.uk/2009/06/27/amble-marina-lw-tide-6409195/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>