Rain - and flood plains.

I does not seem to have stopped raining recently, and the soil is waterlogged. On Monday night we had some rest-bite from the rain and took the opportunity to enjoy watching water in flooded fields in the Welland Valley, neat Cottingham. After wich we had a very tasty meal at the Falcon Hotel, Uppingham Photos taken on Deeces new Sony S Tablet.

New Shoes

I've needed a pair of shoes for a while now. Wanted something nice, and living in Northamptonshire something made locally. Unfortunately, it seems to be getting harder and harder to buy shoes that are made in Northamptonshire - once the capital of the shoe industry. Fortunately, I came across a company called VeganLine, Although I am not a vegan, I appreciate the fact that Veganline rate their shoes ethically, and some are locally made.

I found a pair of shoes called camouflage shoes, with soles similar to Doc Martins which I used to buy and like, so I thought I would give them a go (price is half what it states on the web-site). They arrived by return post on Thursday, but I was not able to collect them until this morning from the local Royal Mail sorting office ~ when I eventually got in: Police would not allow anyone in because they were removing a bloke who wanted to pay by cheque, and was abusing the staff.

I got my shoes home, and put them on about half ten, its now twelve hours later and they have not left my feet, I've driven to Leicester, been shopping, driven to Kettering, done some jobs, and am now back at home with them still on, and they are still very comfortable. I'm impressed!



SOLOVAIR MADE IN ENGLAND

Happy Birthday FTP

Today FTP is two years old. He has done 31,000 miles without giving us any trouble, and has been a pleasure to travel with.

Yesterday, he met up with a distant relation in the Co-op Carpark, and so I had chance to take some photos comparing the appearance of the Perodua Myvi with a Dihatsu Sirion.

















I also noted that the dash designs are very similar.

FTP Gets a Wash and Wax

I am not a great one for washing cars, perhaps once a year whether they need it or not (although most years I forget). However, with FTPs second birthday coming up I thought I would treat him to a car wash. I have not been through a car wash myself since I was about 7 years old, and I must say I did not like being taken along by the conveyor without being in control~ but FTP does look better for all my stress!

Must say Rose Royce make it seem much less stressful, and should help you cope with the pictures of FTPs carwash:
















All clean, apart from the inner door sills! + suppose FTP should have his first vacuum after two years.

Airframe Super 8 Folding Bicycle

I have been intending to put a post on about by bicycle for some time... because it is a little unusual. I have a folding bike called an Airframe Super 8. I have been intending to make a video of it folding, and unfolding, to accompany the post, but have never gotten around to it. Today was a beautiful day, and I took a beautiful picture of my Airframe in Corby woods, so I could not resist posting:



The Airframe bike has been around for several years, but has not sold that well, mainly because no on knows about it (I think). This is a shame because it is a brilliant bike, it is fun to ride, and folds easily (with practice) for fitting in the Myvi, or in train suitcase racks. The Airframe is built by Silkmead Tubular Ltd. of Dunstable as a sideline from their main business of folding tubes for specialist industrial purposes. My bike is unique, it was built for the Cycle Show about six or seven years ago, and is the only one ever built in Emerald Green. I bought the bike from Silkmead about six years ago and love it. It fun to ride and has required negligible maintenance. The Airframe weighs just 10.5 kilos (aluminium tubing), and has an 8 speed Sturmey Archer hub (the current model appears to have a 4 speed Shimano Nexus hub). Airframes are currently available from their distributor McMullan Group, there is a folding video on their site, but I'm sure I can do a better one!


My Airframe at Corby station.


Ready to fold, and pop on the train to work.

30,000 Miles / Recently

Last night I was on the way to pick up an Indian takeaway when I realised 30,000 miles would occur on the way home. I intended to stop and take a picture at 30,000, but I think I must have forgotten with the smell of good food, and had to take the photo at 30,003 this morning.



30,000 miles, has gone quick. So has the last two years. When I was looking for something in the glove compartment I found the breakdown cover guide, still where I put it when FTP was new, the two years free cover runs out in less than a month!



Recently, I had not realised that the condensation of the windscreen was indeed frozen and split one of the blades when I tried to wipe the window. I called at a local car accessory shop and asked for wiper blades for a Perodua Myvi. Both salesmen said "A what...?", and then were none the wiser as Perodua was not listed in their wiper book. One of the men came out and measured the wipers. Standard blades and fittings fitted the front, and he cut a blade to fit into the rear housing, because it is a cheaper option than replacing the full arm.

I always find it strange when people have not heard of the Myvi, especially in the auto trade; because, I do not think there is anything much else out there that offers such good value for money. I find it hard to believe that according to the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders only 543 Peroduas were sold in the UK last year! Although that is higher than total Proton sales, who although being a much better know brand in the UK, and having four different models, only sold 446 cars last year.

Kent Close, Northampton.

A few weeks ago I had to collect something from Berrywood Hospital, Northampton. I drove out of Berrywood towards the old psychiatric hospital, St Crispins. I stopped at a temporary traffic light, the whole area is a big building site, and took a picture of St Crispins clock tower.



I turned towards St Crispins and found myself behind a digger belonging to James King, I laughed because I had just been listening to King James Version, some excellent reggae music by Steel Pulse.



I followed the digger for a while and found myself driving into Kent Close. Kent Close used to be staff housing belonging to the Princess Marina Hospital, but they have been empty for a few years awaiting demolition, and the building of another new housing estate. I had tried to drive into Kent Close previously, but had been unsuccessful, because I used to live at 8 Kent Close many years ago and wished to see what had happened to my old house.


8 Kent Close, from where I had parked FTP in the middle of the close.


8 Kent Close, front door and car port.


8 Kent Close, across the rear garden.


8 Kent Close, from the side.

The layout of Kent Close, and its houses is unusual, land did not appear to have been at a premium, and the houses are a strange wedge shape.




FTP parked on Kent Close


Most houses had three beddrooms with one upstairs, but there were a few bungalows.


A very nice couple and their daughter lived at this one.


There was lots of safe space for children to play.


Looking towards number 8, as I left.


The New Nurses Home!

Whilst life was difficult during my time at Kent Close, I have many fond memories, and believe it was a great place to live, especially for children. It seems a shame it will all become another housing estate, like the one built just above it:



Finally, FTP and myself stopped of at Chapel at St Crispins, as we left.