Lord of the Rings – Return of the King

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Managed to squeeze three hours in to see LOTR in the evening while I was in Edinburgh. Lasted a whole three hours and 10 minutes excluding the credits.

Most of the film was good, excellant battle scenes, and the city of Minas Tirith looked so similar to the picture I have in a painting from Joan Wyatt in a middle earth album. The ents though are far superior in the film.

The film was a bit slow at the end as Frodo leaves on the elf ship, The corruption of the Shire by Saruman and Wormtongue is not depicted in the film.

Weekend with Steve Delman

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Another week up in Edinburgh, uneventful trip back, except for the appalling conditions on the motor way with the rain. Speed restrictions of 20 mph.

Saturday was a pretty dismal day. So watched LOTR Two Towers in anticipation of going to the cinema on Wednesday to see Return of the Kings.

Sunday did brighten for a while, then rained while we were having lunch. Lunch was a Sunday meal in the P&A with John and Carol. Steve Delman and his daughter were visiting Europe, so they had been invited by John. Actually Elizabeth was spending a term at the University of London. Peter WIllson was also in attendance. Some reminisce of the good old days was inevitable.

Broadband update

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Great news! The Grendon Underwood telephone exchange has made its Broadband trigger level. So hopefully in the next few months we will get fast Internet access.

I was getting rather despondant in the last month, so very few new people were registering, and we were so near the target. Then in this last week seven new names registered, bringing is one over the target.

The Diary of an IT consultant

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Today up at 6.00 am. It was a lovely cold morning and no fog.  So there would be no problems with the roads and the planes.  Drove to Birmingham, arrived at 7.15, plenty of time for check in.  First problem, plane delayed until 9.30, technical problems.

Boarded the Dash 8 Flybe plane, and it left at 9.30.  As we approached Edinburgh the captain told us there was fog, and that he had especially loaded extra fuel for the eventuality.  How come, it was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky?  Yes we could see the bank of fog over Edinburgh.  We spent the next 90 minutes circling a spot south of Edinburgh.  We must have done twenty plus circuits, and then off to Preswick as Glasgow was also fogged in.  Landed at 1.00.  Caught the coach to Edinburgh, arrived at that airport at 2.30 (Very foggy), and then on into town where there was no fog. 

Of course as I walked up the street  I could see other aircraft doing the landing circuit.  Rosemary checked and said most flights had been diverted, except those from Heathrow.  I must assume from this that the cheapo airlines either can’t afford ILS, or their crew are not trained for it.  Now the winter is here I maybe should consider using BA from Heathrow.

What was galling though, was Jon Marshall made it on the 6.30 Flybe flight.

Norwich

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Just back from a weekend away in Norwich with my Father and Ann.  We had a good weekend and met up with Nick and Ali to see adopted child.

Consultants Diary

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At last Friday.  Home today.  Worked until four in the afternoon, explaining how econnector works to one of the staff.  She is to write some administrative functions.

Plane left on time and back home for supper by 8.15.  Was quite a hard week, and now the weather has broken, not so enjoyable.  We will see what Christmas and the New Year brings us up in the wilds of the North.

Consultants diary

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Another day in Scotland.  Now I hear I will be here for at least until Christmas.

This evening just Yura and I.  Tonight its Thai, so we went to Yura’s favorite Thai restuarant called Dusit at 49a Thistle Street.  The owner said greeted Yura like a long lost friend.

Good nosh.

Consultants diary

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Lots of Cedar people in to day.  After work, quick drink at the Doric with Mary, Tessa and Phil.  Then met up with Yura at the hotel.

Tessa, Phil, Yura and I ate at Izzis, the Japanese/Chinese restaurant.  Here I had my usual fill of raw Tuna, Salmon, Squid and other fish.

Final pint of beer at Tiles.  Much against my suggestion.  The beer is all larger and top pressure bitters.