June 2002

Stonehenge with Andante Posted Sunday, 30 June, 2002
We had an wonderful weekend visting prehistoric monuments in Wessex with Andante travel. More details and pictures to be posted on the website later.

We travelled to Salisbury on Friday for an evening lecture on Stonehenge.

On Saturday we started early for a private trip around stonehenge. Here we were able to walk among the stones. After the visit, which had to end before 8.30, before the general public arrived, we had a walk through the prehistoric landscape of stonehenge.

Picnic lunch in the afternoon, then a visit to the Trust for Wessex Archaeology, and a visit of Salisbury Museum.

Supper was provided by Andante and was excellant.

On Sunday we went to Knap Hill by coach, and walked from there along the Wansdyke to the burial chambers of West Kennet long barrow. We passed by Milk Hill, and Tan Hill. I saw a paraglider and hangglider flying Milk Hill.

After the barrow we walked on the Avebury passing Silbury Hill. Excellant picnic lunch by Andante, and then a visit to the stones. Back on the coach to Salisbury and then on home in the car.

A great weekend.

Paragliding at Coombe Gibbet Posted Wednesday, 26 June, 2002
Rosemary and I were going down to Salisbury for the weekend, so we had decided to take the Friday off from work. Friday the wind was blowing from the North West, so this was an ideal time to try some flying at Coombe.

We arrived at around 1.30. There were some 30-40 paragliders and hang gliders around. I set up and launched very quickly, but had to do a slope landing as I was going down. I had missed the thermal cycle and everyone else was coming down.

I set up to launch again, and had a couple of bad attempts at launching. The wind from the termals was quite stong. I did learn a few tips on how to control the glider when it was upside down on the ground.

I waited around for a quieter phase, launched and had a 20 minute flight in front of the hill. It was quite rough, going from 8 ups to 4 downs. Rosemary said she saw many gliders with their wind tips folding.

I set up for a third flight, but soon went down. That was it for the day as we had to be in Salisbury for a meeting at 8.30

Paragliding Posted Tuesday, 25 June, 2002
Today I left work early, and managed a few minutes paragliding at Dunstable. Managed a couple of top landings, but failed to recognise the dying lift in time and ended up doing one bottom landing.

New pictures from 1994 added Posted Sunday, 23 June, 2002
I have added some pictures from 1994. These include building the pond, and skiing in Meribel.

Stage diving at the IBM Software Symposium 2002 Posted Friday, 14 June, 2002
Today is the last day. Yesterday evening we were taken by coach to an industrial site and were herded into a large warehouse. (Usual purpose was go cart racing. The entrance was made into a tube on its side with smoke effects, and creatures, dressed as insects on stilts greeting the visitors.

In the warehouse we had food, good food, and drink and music. The organisers had set up 2 stages, and 3 bands played 4 sets. They were pretty good, and yes there was crowd surfing and stage diving at an IBM conference. The first band a jazz like, the rest were rock. When the bands finished at midnight a disco continued. I had had enough, and only live music is worth the effort, so of home to bed.

It was a pretty good event, and I was pretty hot and sweaty after event. Well done IBM.

Today I have three sessions I want to attend, just hope I do not snore too loudly.

The end of the conference Posted Friday, 14 June, 2002
Made it through the last sessions which were very interesting presentations of the new features of Websphere 5.0.

Then back in to town to buy some Sacher Torte for Rosemary. Good flight back.

In Wien at the IBM Software Symposium 2002 Posted Thursday, 13 June, 2002
Well it is Thursday morning. Yesterday I attended some good sessions, and also one of the worst I have ever been to.

Lunch was a scramble as the session I was attending overrun a little, and the queues were on the long size. But managed a quick refuel of bean salad.

When the sessions ended I took the tube back into town and walked around the museum area. The buildings there are absolutely fabulous. I chose the correct day, because the Natural History museum was open. Had a quick walk around there. Lots of stuffed, and bottled specimens. Bit difficult, all the exhibits were described in German.

Afterwards had a long walk around town, a few beers and then a German Hot Dog.

In Wien at the IBM Software Symposium 2002 Posted Wednesday, 12 June, 2002
Well it is nearly the end of Wednesday. Been to many enjoyable sessions at the IBM Symposium. Heard how to make Websphere run faster and better.

Today the sun has been shining, as it was yesterday.

Yesterday after finishing here at 7 in the evening, went back to the hotel. Did not do a great deal other than a few beers, then a McDonnalds. I have never seen so many in one town.

Tonight I will look around the museums are, and maybe enter into the museums.

In Wien at the IBM Software Symposium 2002 Posted Tuesday, 11 June, 2002
I had to get up early on Sunday at 5.00 to catch the 7.30 to Wien (Vienna) in Austria. Spent the Sunday walking around the city, saw the cathedral, had lunch on the Danube of souvlaki and salad. The citizens of Wein seeemed to be having an inline scateing race around the banks of the river. Seemed to be quite dangerous for the competitors and those just out for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

The weather was cloudy all day, but the sun was almost peaking through. Of course I had forgotten my hat and suntan cream so I had to be a bit careful.

ON the tube back I stopped of to see the Catherdral, St Stephens or some thing like that. More interesting were some break dancers.

Then I tried to go to the museum, when the heavens opened with a large thunder storm. So gave up and went back to the hotel for a few beers.

For supper had a meal in hotel which was quite pleasant. Starter was a terrine of Spinach, and main course was Viennese style boiled beef.

On Monday attended some long sessions on Websphere, then caught the underground back to the hotel at about 8 in the evening. Went out for supper, found an Indian resturant. Not the typical English type. Food was spicy but not hot, with quite alot of greenery with it. Unusually there was an Indian woman dressed in a sari serving. As I said not the usual English Indian resturant. Weather was drizzle all day.

So this is the start of Tuesday, blue skys today.

Been emailing the daughter and found my antique phone works hear to.

Golden Jubilee party Posted Tuesday, 4 June, 2002
We completed the Jubilee party. Clay shooting, Aunt Sally, Welly Wanging, Quiz, Boules, Tug of war over the brook and evening meal in the pub.

It was quite a sucess, I reckon every one enjoyed themselves. We won the tug of war over the brook, beating the neigbouring village.

Up until the boules, Barrie and Barbara were winning the competition, the boules knockout was won by Mark and Stuart from crossways. They were duly elected Mayor and Mayoress of Kingswood.

Pictures and results will eventually be posted on this website in a couple of weeks or so.

Waddesdon Manor Posted Sunday, 2 June, 2002
While England were playing Sweden, we went to Waddesdon Manor to see the Golden Jubilee crowns. These were two spectacular plant crowns on both sides of the drive way to the house.