In thinking about the subject I came to the conclusion that the motor car was responsible for our lack of choice today when we go shopping. I was thinking about a complex in a town just outside Belfast which had a huge parking area, one Tesco’s shop, 15 to 20 small shops, and a restaurant.… Continue reading Random Thoughts 36, The Strange Parameters of Shopping.
Month: September 2007
Random Thoughts 37, Is Political Change Required?
This is not just a bit of fun, it is a search by someone not particularly politically orientated, or knowledgeable, to find a system which will improve on the one we have. Instead of writing this as I usually do, I shall do what it says on the tin, put down random thoughts. I have… Continue reading Random Thoughts 37, Is Political Change Required?
Belfast 1951 to 60 in order, Smoke tests
Smoke Test No 1. Today inspection and testing has become remote, highly technical, and mostly computer driven. In my Dark Ages every thing was hands on, mucky and tediously prolonged. Pipes are now checked with robots and cameras. I have always found it strange that smoke really does issue from a sewer up through the… Continue reading Belfast 1951 to 60 in order, Smoke tests
Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order, Memories of France
PARIS, on the way south we had stayed for a couple of days in Paris. Sophie’s friend had told us of an hotel in the Rue Du Caire, the red-light district, which was closer to our budget than most. Being on a B&B basis we had to take our meals elsewhere. We tended to buy… Continue reading Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order, Memories of France
Random Thoughts 34, Transport and The Environment
Ask schoolchildren about the environment and they will probably know more than you do, added to which they are probably more enthusiastic about preventing global warming. Ask some old man like me the same question and he will tell you that he’s sick of it, it is used as a stick to beat us with,… Continue reading Random Thoughts 34, Transport and The Environment
Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order,The Ancient Art of Helmet Diving Part 2
The Diving Course, taught by serving Petty and Chief Petty Officer Divers, was mostly practical, and had hairy moments. In fact they taught at such a rate one tended to forget all but the frightening bits. We were taught to signal with the air-line and lifeline, how to inflate the suit by reducing the escape… Continue reading Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order,The Ancient Art of Helmet Diving Part 2
Belfast 1952 to ’60 in order, The Ancient Art of Helmet Diving Part 1
Today professional diving is sophisticated and technical. My training by comparison is like that with halberds compared to AK47 assault rifles. From what I read, it would seem I am one of the very few left who have been a professional helmet diver. I thought the experience might be of interest. Part 2 deals with… Continue reading Belfast 1952 to ’60 in order, The Ancient Art of Helmet Diving Part 1
Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order, Characters 3.
DAN and other Chauffeurs Dan was a Chainman, someone on a survey team who is essential, but bottom of the pecking order. He runs the errands, stand in water, snow, burning sun, holding whatever he is asked to hold without complaint. Dan was sandy haired, short, tough and generally smiling. He dressed like a country… Continue reading Belfast 1951 to ’60 in order, Characters 3.
Random Thoughts 33, Sport
For pure electioneering, yesterday, Gordon Brown, The PM, surrounded by professional footballers, youths and children, extolled the merits of supervised sport and training as the way forward to produce a healthier nation and subvert the street violence so prevalent. Where has he been? People with Blogs have been preaching it for ages. If you read… Continue reading Random Thoughts 33, Sport
Random Thoughtss 32, MRSA, Pensions
MRSA. There seems to be no end to the various viruses attacking patients in hospitals, I started to wonder about it. I know that I should not be writing this, I have never worked in a hospital, I have only been in hospital for operations twice, and apart from sticking a plaster on a cut… Continue reading Random Thoughtss 32, MRSA, Pensions