Today I spent many hours trying to sort out the best deal.
To my horror, I found out that because I live in a very rural district, there is insufficient fibre optics for me to get the best deal.
First I went to get a deal worth 2.99 plus 12.80 line rental for an 18 month contract. When they asked me for my postcode, I was informed that my exchange had not been updated and was highly unlikely to ever be updated. So that was the first one gone.
Second was the same so I went on to Simplifydigital and there I was informed that as my exchange was not capable of handling most of the big companies. I was restricted to what I could get.
There was a good deal with Plus net half price for a year . Not available to me unfortunately but I could get half price for 3 months. The guy told me that it was the very best deal available and was cheaper than the current ISP I was with. I then told him that this would have to do and gave all details he needed. Then he told me that I would have to get my Migration Authority Code. MAC for short. I did inform him that I was not out of contract until the 15th September this year. He told me that was no problem, just get the MAC and he gave me a different phone number.
This afternoon I contacted my ISP and informed them I was changing my ISP. After some lenghty talking in which I was informed that it would be more expensive where I was going to, I was given my MAC. A long letters and numbers code.
I then rang Plus net and eventually was sent to a different department. I gave her the MAC and it started with LZ well I gave her it as one should to make sure no mistakes were made. Lima Zulu. Oh dear, when I had finished she spent about 5 minutes trying to sort out my MAC. Eventually she told me that it was not a legitimate number. I told her to read it back to me. She started L22. I stopped her. I told her it was Z for Zulu. She then corrected the code and tried again. Another 5 minutes went by and she again told me that it was not accepted. She then had a brainwave. She informed me that she would re-boot the computer and see if that would cure the trick and she would have to put me on hold. Another 5 minutes went by ans eventually she came back and told me that this time all was well. She blamed her computer. I told her she did not have the monopoly with computers that have a mind of their own.
Now I wait for Plus net to contact me, she told me it would be a while but things would move. We will see. More soon.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Funny
It is funny me talking about old times and things.
Today, I went to the local bank in the next town. There was a queue as there often is. I must admit that when I go on local journeys I am somewhat scruffy. Well that is what my late Mother would tell me.
Anyway, I was waiting in the queue. I was wearing my old railway bib and brace. All of a sudden this guy, who I guess would be in his late 40s, suddenly turned to me and said. "You know you do look smart in the bib and brace. I do wish I had one still. I haven't seen them for years. They are so versatile and I miss mine". I then told him that these were probably a lot older than he was as I was issued them when I was on the footplate on the Railway and I left the Railway in 1964. I told him that we were issued 2 sets of bib and brace and jacket each year and after the first year we managed to use them more efficiently so that over the years I managed to save about 3 sets. I do like them and they are very versatile. I only hope it bought back happy memories to the guy.
To be honest, although I have never tried to buy a bib and brace set, I am surprised that they are still not available. Saying that, I have not seen them being worn.
My best pal came to see me today. The one from Chesterfield. He, like me feel completely at home together and he told me that it was the best time of his stay. I likewise love his company. We seem to really get on and we both think the same.
When his wife came about an hour later, we got on about clothes. He told me that when we were young, Jeans were a type of overall. I told him that my Mother would never allow us to wear Jeans as they were considered inferior clothes. He readily agreed but told me that he once bought a pair of Jeans just to wear at the local football. He told me that they were stiff material and his legs were frozen. The Jeans were never worn again.
Perhaps I will reminisce again soon.
By the way, as usual we have had lots of rain again, mind you my runner beans are giving me lots to give away. More soon.
Today, I went to the local bank in the next town. There was a queue as there often is. I must admit that when I go on local journeys I am somewhat scruffy. Well that is what my late Mother would tell me.
Anyway, I was waiting in the queue. I was wearing my old railway bib and brace. All of a sudden this guy, who I guess would be in his late 40s, suddenly turned to me and said. "You know you do look smart in the bib and brace. I do wish I had one still. I haven't seen them for years. They are so versatile and I miss mine". I then told him that these were probably a lot older than he was as I was issued them when I was on the footplate on the Railway and I left the Railway in 1964. I told him that we were issued 2 sets of bib and brace and jacket each year and after the first year we managed to use them more efficiently so that over the years I managed to save about 3 sets. I do like them and they are very versatile. I only hope it bought back happy memories to the guy.
To be honest, although I have never tried to buy a bib and brace set, I am surprised that they are still not available. Saying that, I have not seen them being worn.
My best pal came to see me today. The one from Chesterfield. He, like me feel completely at home together and he told me that it was the best time of his stay. I likewise love his company. We seem to really get on and we both think the same.
When his wife came about an hour later, we got on about clothes. He told me that when we were young, Jeans were a type of overall. I told him that my Mother would never allow us to wear Jeans as they were considered inferior clothes. He readily agreed but told me that he once bought a pair of Jeans just to wear at the local football. He told me that they were stiff material and his legs were frozen. The Jeans were never worn again.
Perhaps I will reminisce again soon.
By the way, as usual we have had lots of rain again, mind you my runner beans are giving me lots to give away. More soon.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Things of little interest
First however before I waffle on. I am thinking of changing my ISP. My friend will be here on Wednesday so will get more information. I am out of contract in less than a fortnight.
Now to useless thing, well not quite so useless to me as it concerned my life.
Where I was born we had no electricity. An outside toilet but we had a bathroom.
Food rationing was on and the last things food wise to be lifted was sweets. This was in 1951. when they first informed us the sweets were no longer on ration. Everyone queued up and tall the shops ran out of sweets. Thus rationing was once more introduced. Only for a few weeks then when they said sweet rationing was abolished. This time all the shops were well stocked and never again was there a shortage.
Milk and meat was always delivered by horse and cart. Pony and trap with the butcher. He called only once a week. The milkman called every day and the horse knew just where to stop. Each house had a privet hedge and the horse would try to nibble a bit of privet although he had a bit in his mouth.
Cars were almost never seen during the war. There was a famous Doctor who had a car, the only other vehicle I can recall was the bakers van. he called twice a week.
I never saw a banana during the war and I guess it was late 1946 before we saw a banana.
I only saw 1 orange during the war. Of course no exotic fruits ever.
The first fruit of any quantity in the late 40s was the pomegranate. I don't know if anyone has tried them but they are so fiddly. You want a pin to get each small segment out and each segment has a pip. Also we didn't really like the taste a lot. Now of course there are so many different fruits available it is unbelievable.
The only tinned fruits were tinned pears. the biggest treat was prunes. They came dried and had to be soaked in boiling water. The juice was nice and the prunes were also very nice.
When we played football at school we had I think a size 4 football. All footballs were heavy and I never saw a new football all the time I was at school.
The same went regarding cricket. We had to use what they called a cork tipped ball. They had no seam, weighed the same as a leather ball and just as hard. The difference was that they never seemed to wear out. It was years later that I saw my first leather cricket ball.
When it came to cars. In the 1950s the factories had bicycle sheds there were plenty and I guess they had room for about 200 cycles. The car park was only large enough for about 6 cars. Plenty because in those days cars were few and far between. I had a van in 1960 and I think there was only 2 other vehicles at that time parked on the railway. I bought a van because it was cheaper than a car.
I learned to ride a bicycle that had solid tyres. I enjoyed it though learning to ride a bike.
I have never had a driving test. All I did was take an officer in Hong Kong on a run that I had done, I guess 50 times. He just told the guy who was with me as my official driver as he had a licence. When I got back he just told me to keep well into the side and that was it. Passed my test
I used to smoke and drink but ceased smoking in 1975 and to be honest, although I may have an occasional drink, ceased heavy drinking in 1968. When I say I have the occasional drink. I guess I will have about 12 alcoholic drinks a year,
The last time I went to the cinema was in about 1973. Have not been to the theatre since school days.
I very rarely read a book, much to my shame. The only reason I would give is that as children, we were so poor that books were not readily available. No excuse really.
If I go out, I always clean my shoes. That is if I am not going to get me pension but going out to see someone.
I have never worn jeans. When they were first introduced in this country, I think towards the end of the 1940s. They were sold as cheap hard working clothes and my Mother would never allow us to wear them.
I never wear trainers or sneakers. I only wear shoes. As children we would only wear leather shoes or sandals. Leather shoes were generally the only shoes available. Crepe soled shoes were available but quite often they would spread on the soles after a few weeks wear making the shoes look awful.
I never have had long hair, now it is getting thin and very very grey.
Now I never wear a tie. The last time I wore a tie was to my Mother's funeral.
I only wear casual clothes, not branded clothes.
I hardly ever use my car. I have had the car since end of February. It had about 190 miles on the clock. It has less than 1500 miles now. Enough for now. More soon.
Now to useless thing, well not quite so useless to me as it concerned my life.
Where I was born we had no electricity. An outside toilet but we had a bathroom.
Food rationing was on and the last things food wise to be lifted was sweets. This was in 1951. when they first informed us the sweets were no longer on ration. Everyone queued up and tall the shops ran out of sweets. Thus rationing was once more introduced. Only for a few weeks then when they said sweet rationing was abolished. This time all the shops were well stocked and never again was there a shortage.
Milk and meat was always delivered by horse and cart. Pony and trap with the butcher. He called only once a week. The milkman called every day and the horse knew just where to stop. Each house had a privet hedge and the horse would try to nibble a bit of privet although he had a bit in his mouth.
Cars were almost never seen during the war. There was a famous Doctor who had a car, the only other vehicle I can recall was the bakers van. he called twice a week.
I never saw a banana during the war and I guess it was late 1946 before we saw a banana.
I only saw 1 orange during the war. Of course no exotic fruits ever.
The first fruit of any quantity in the late 40s was the pomegranate. I don't know if anyone has tried them but they are so fiddly. You want a pin to get each small segment out and each segment has a pip. Also we didn't really like the taste a lot. Now of course there are so many different fruits available it is unbelievable.
The only tinned fruits were tinned pears. the biggest treat was prunes. They came dried and had to be soaked in boiling water. The juice was nice and the prunes were also very nice.
When we played football at school we had I think a size 4 football. All footballs were heavy and I never saw a new football all the time I was at school.
The same went regarding cricket. We had to use what they called a cork tipped ball. They had no seam, weighed the same as a leather ball and just as hard. The difference was that they never seemed to wear out. It was years later that I saw my first leather cricket ball.
When it came to cars. In the 1950s the factories had bicycle sheds there were plenty and I guess they had room for about 200 cycles. The car park was only large enough for about 6 cars. Plenty because in those days cars were few and far between. I had a van in 1960 and I think there was only 2 other vehicles at that time parked on the railway. I bought a van because it was cheaper than a car.
I learned to ride a bicycle that had solid tyres. I enjoyed it though learning to ride a bike.
I have never had a driving test. All I did was take an officer in Hong Kong on a run that I had done, I guess 50 times. He just told the guy who was with me as my official driver as he had a licence. When I got back he just told me to keep well into the side and that was it. Passed my test
I used to smoke and drink but ceased smoking in 1975 and to be honest, although I may have an occasional drink, ceased heavy drinking in 1968. When I say I have the occasional drink. I guess I will have about 12 alcoholic drinks a year,
The last time I went to the cinema was in about 1973. Have not been to the theatre since school days.
I very rarely read a book, much to my shame. The only reason I would give is that as children, we were so poor that books were not readily available. No excuse really.
If I go out, I always clean my shoes. That is if I am not going to get me pension but going out to see someone.
I have never worn jeans. When they were first introduced in this country, I think towards the end of the 1940s. They were sold as cheap hard working clothes and my Mother would never allow us to wear them.
I never wear trainers or sneakers. I only wear shoes. As children we would only wear leather shoes or sandals. Leather shoes were generally the only shoes available. Crepe soled shoes were available but quite often they would spread on the soles after a few weeks wear making the shoes look awful.
I never have had long hair, now it is getting thin and very very grey.
Now I never wear a tie. The last time I wore a tie was to my Mother's funeral.
I only wear casual clothes, not branded clothes.
I hardly ever use my car. I have had the car since end of February. It had about 190 miles on the clock. It has less than 1500 miles now. Enough for now. More soon.
Friday, 2 September 2011
No Internet
I was surprised yesterday. When I tried to log on I found it impossible to get anything at all. Eventually I rung my ISP and asked them if there was something wrong. I was answered in the affirmative. Apparently there was some fault and quite a lot had no Internet connection at all. I told him that he was not to blame but told him he would get many irate customers. I was correct.
I did not bother to try late at night. The guy on the phone told me he thought that the repair would, hopefully be completed so that all should be well by late evening. As you can see all is back to normal. However I will be looking to change ISP because there are cheaper deals about. My contract runs out in about 2 weeks. I will look to see what is on offer.
On Wednesday I asked my neighbour if she wished to have a cucumber. She told me she would love one but also asked if I could do a favour. I of course said yes. She asked me if I would let the chickens out again, this time for a week in mid September. She told me her parents would shut them up at night. She also asked me if I could, feed them as she was having the feed bought in at night and put in the garage. She would;d give me the garage key. I told her that it would be fine.
I really do not mind at all. In fact I quite enjoy letting the chickens out, all chickens seem to be friendly and love human contact. So I will look forward to a week of chicken company.
Today, I was spraying a little weed killer near my leylandi hedge. I noticed a few bits on the floor. I looked up and noticed that the guy next door had trimmed the top of my hedge. I was pleased and when I saw him I thanked him. He told me that he had cut the tree down and as he was trimming the side decided to trim my top. That tree was a dreadful tree, seemed to grow out of all proportion and had no good attributes at all.
I must admit, I hadn't noticed that he had cut the tree down. Mind you, I had not noticed the hedge had been trimmed. I am not observant at all. I guess I live in a little dream world.
Finally, the weather these last couple of days have been a lot better and today has been quite warm. Typical I suppose, the holidays are about over. More soon, Internet allowing.
I did not bother to try late at night. The guy on the phone told me he thought that the repair would, hopefully be completed so that all should be well by late evening. As you can see all is back to normal. However I will be looking to change ISP because there are cheaper deals about. My contract runs out in about 2 weeks. I will look to see what is on offer.
On Wednesday I asked my neighbour if she wished to have a cucumber. She told me she would love one but also asked if I could do a favour. I of course said yes. She asked me if I would let the chickens out again, this time for a week in mid September. She told me her parents would shut them up at night. She also asked me if I could, feed them as she was having the feed bought in at night and put in the garage. She would;d give me the garage key. I told her that it would be fine.
I really do not mind at all. In fact I quite enjoy letting the chickens out, all chickens seem to be friendly and love human contact. So I will look forward to a week of chicken company.
Today, I was spraying a little weed killer near my leylandi hedge. I noticed a few bits on the floor. I looked up and noticed that the guy next door had trimmed the top of my hedge. I was pleased and when I saw him I thanked him. He told me that he had cut the tree down and as he was trimming the side decided to trim my top. That tree was a dreadful tree, seemed to grow out of all proportion and had no good attributes at all.
I must admit, I hadn't noticed that he had cut the tree down. Mind you, I had not noticed the hedge had been trimmed. I am not observant at all. I guess I live in a little dream world.
Finally, the weather these last couple of days have been a lot better and today has been quite warm. Typical I suppose, the holidays are about over. More soon, Internet allowing.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Silly things
I went to the bank this morning and in front of me was an old lady with a walking frame. Not what one knows as a zimmer frame but one with wheels to help, I presume with balance. Something that I am beginning to have myself. Balancing problems, not every day but sometimes. All they say is it's your age. Some comfort.
Anyway, she eventually went to the next free teller. I could not help but hear a few comments and one was that she was on holiday in Skegness. The teller remarked that she hoped she was not on that funfair ride that had many visitors stuck. The lady did not understand anything she said. Quite understandable to me because those funfair rides are mainly for the younger people. All the lady told her was that she had stayed in her hotel yesterday as there were too many people about.
It is funny as it bought to my mind a couple of incidents regarding my Father and as I stood tittering at the tellers remarks it bought back these two incidents.
The first occurred well over 50 years ago. My Mother was in hospital and my Father decided he would have some cheese. The cheese, as had other perishable goods had just started to be vacuum packed. Anyway I could hear my Father struggling and cursing so I went to see what he was doing. I was just in time to see him trying to stick a knife into the plastic covering and giving up, opening the fridge door saw me and said. "They don't mean you having the bloody stuff". I laughed and took the cheese, got a pair of scissors and snipped the end off. With that my Father laughed and thanked me. Then he had his cheese.
The other incident happened in the very early 1970s.
I had a dog and my Father said he was going to see the man in the Pet Shop. Yes that is what it was called. It wasn't a shop really, it was a wooden sort of shack with just a little alcove where he made some of his remedies up.
Off he went and when the door opened, there was a catch that rung a bell. In those days many shopkeepers had this sort of thing. It just told them that someone had entered the shop.
Well my Father entered the shop, there was one woman at the counter and he thought she said to him "Good morning" so he naturally replied. About 30 seconds later the same came again. My father answered once more thinking that perhaps she was a little deaf and had not heard him the first time. When this "Good morning" was uttered for a third time, he said to us he thought "Sod her I'm not wasting my time talking to her anymore". With that the owner came from his alcove, gave the woman some pet food medicine and told her the instructions were on the label. The woman paid, gave my Father a very funny look and left. Of course the bell rang as she opened the door and a voice rang out "Good morning". My father looked a little puzzled and the shop owner told him it was his pet Minah bird.
He came home and we were in fits of laughter when he told us. He was not as he thought he was made to look stupid not realising that it was a bird saying good morning.
It is funny how some things stick in ones mind. I still smile when I think of him in that shack talking to that woman thinking it was her that was talking. By the way I do believe that the Pet Shop is still going strong. Not in the shack but in a brick built property. More soon.
Anyway, she eventually went to the next free teller. I could not help but hear a few comments and one was that she was on holiday in Skegness. The teller remarked that she hoped she was not on that funfair ride that had many visitors stuck. The lady did not understand anything she said. Quite understandable to me because those funfair rides are mainly for the younger people. All the lady told her was that she had stayed in her hotel yesterday as there were too many people about.
It is funny as it bought to my mind a couple of incidents regarding my Father and as I stood tittering at the tellers remarks it bought back these two incidents.
The first occurred well over 50 years ago. My Mother was in hospital and my Father decided he would have some cheese. The cheese, as had other perishable goods had just started to be vacuum packed. Anyway I could hear my Father struggling and cursing so I went to see what he was doing. I was just in time to see him trying to stick a knife into the plastic covering and giving up, opening the fridge door saw me and said. "They don't mean you having the bloody stuff". I laughed and took the cheese, got a pair of scissors and snipped the end off. With that my Father laughed and thanked me. Then he had his cheese.
The other incident happened in the very early 1970s.
I had a dog and my Father said he was going to see the man in the Pet Shop. Yes that is what it was called. It wasn't a shop really, it was a wooden sort of shack with just a little alcove where he made some of his remedies up.
Off he went and when the door opened, there was a catch that rung a bell. In those days many shopkeepers had this sort of thing. It just told them that someone had entered the shop.
Well my Father entered the shop, there was one woman at the counter and he thought she said to him "Good morning" so he naturally replied. About 30 seconds later the same came again. My father answered once more thinking that perhaps she was a little deaf and had not heard him the first time. When this "Good morning" was uttered for a third time, he said to us he thought "Sod her I'm not wasting my time talking to her anymore". With that the owner came from his alcove, gave the woman some pet food medicine and told her the instructions were on the label. The woman paid, gave my Father a very funny look and left. Of course the bell rang as she opened the door and a voice rang out "Good morning". My father looked a little puzzled and the shop owner told him it was his pet Minah bird.
He came home and we were in fits of laughter when he told us. He was not as he thought he was made to look stupid not realising that it was a bird saying good morning.
It is funny how some things stick in ones mind. I still smile when I think of him in that shack talking to that woman thinking it was her that was talking. By the way I do believe that the Pet Shop is still going strong. Not in the shack but in a brick built property. More soon.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Holiday over
Yes, the Bank Holiday is over and also I think the summer.
I think weather wise we have been fortunate regarding rain here. Mind you, on Friday it rained all day, well except for about 30 minutes. My garden has had plenty of rain, all of my water butts are full . On Saturday, after all the rain, I stupidly decided to dig up the potatoes. Eel worms were a plenty and mud stuck to the potatoes so you can guess the ground is wet.
On Saturday I also decided to pick my apples. It is rather early but I noticed a few had fallen so I did the lift test. That is to hold an apple and gradually lift them, if they come off easy then they are ready to be lifted. I picked well over 200. They were still a little wet so I laid them out in the sitting room to dry. Quite a lot were damaged but I still managed to salvage, I think over 150. I say I think because I am hoping they will keep over the winter.
Now a reply to M. about the paint.
The paint gun was used with a cartridge and it was that where the paint came from. One of the users stated that once the cartridge was open, it must be used on that day. Mind you, it must have been a disaster because it seems to have been withdrawn. I think M. is right when stating that brushes are the thing. One of the reviewers stated this and said he was happy with his painting with the brush.
Finally, we complain about the weather here but I do think about those on the East Coast of America. The hurricane which was downgraded to a tropical storm, did countless millions of $ damage ans the pictures that were shown on T.V.were dreadful. We have a lot to be thankful for living over here in England. More soon.
I think weather wise we have been fortunate regarding rain here. Mind you, on Friday it rained all day, well except for about 30 minutes. My garden has had plenty of rain, all of my water butts are full . On Saturday, after all the rain, I stupidly decided to dig up the potatoes. Eel worms were a plenty and mud stuck to the potatoes so you can guess the ground is wet.
On Saturday I also decided to pick my apples. It is rather early but I noticed a few had fallen so I did the lift test. That is to hold an apple and gradually lift them, if they come off easy then they are ready to be lifted. I picked well over 200. They were still a little wet so I laid them out in the sitting room to dry. Quite a lot were damaged but I still managed to salvage, I think over 150. I say I think because I am hoping they will keep over the winter.
Now a reply to M. about the paint.
The paint gun was used with a cartridge and it was that where the paint came from. One of the users stated that once the cartridge was open, it must be used on that day. Mind you, it must have been a disaster because it seems to have been withdrawn. I think M. is right when stating that brushes are the thing. One of the reviewers stated this and said he was happy with his painting with the brush.
Finally, we complain about the weather here but I do think about those on the East Coast of America. The hurricane which was downgraded to a tropical storm, did countless millions of $ damage ans the pictures that were shown on T.V.were dreadful. We have a lot to be thankful for living over here in England. More soon.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Dear oh dear
I just can't believe it but my neighbour, this afternoon called me and gave me some print outs of the supposed Hammerrite paint.
It turns out to bea Hammerite Metalmaster Gun.
What he said next surprised me. First he gave me the sheets and immediately I noticed that it was a gun. He confirmed that it was and told me that you had to buy a cartridge. Now comes the interesting part. He told me that you could not buy the cartridges as they no longer produced them. He did tell me that he had printed some customer reviews.
They certainly were of great value to me.
First guy wrote of the difficulties getting the thing to work. He sent the first one back only to find the replacement was almost as bad. His comments were Useless.
The second wrote something like,
The concept of electrostatically charged paint sounded good in practice it was a total and abject failure. DON'T BUY THIS.
No wonder they discontinued the product
This guys final comment was.
"If you want a better job offence painting done, get a bunch of blindfolded chimpanzees drunk,then get them to dip their faeces in paint before throwing it vaguely across the road.
So that is the last I will look for Hammerite special paint.
I will stick to the normal brush type.
I haven't told my mate yet. I expect him to tell me it was what he expected. More soon.
It turns out to bea Hammerite Metalmaster Gun.
What he said next surprised me. First he gave me the sheets and immediately I noticed that it was a gun. He confirmed that it was and told me that you had to buy a cartridge. Now comes the interesting part. He told me that you could not buy the cartridges as they no longer produced them. He did tell me that he had printed some customer reviews.
They certainly were of great value to me.
First guy wrote of the difficulties getting the thing to work. He sent the first one back only to find the replacement was almost as bad. His comments were Useless.
The second wrote something like,
The concept of electrostatically charged paint sounded good in practice it was a total and abject failure. DON'T BUY THIS.
No wonder they discontinued the product
This guys final comment was.
"If you want a better job offence painting done, get a bunch of blindfolded chimpanzees drunk,then get them to dip their faeces in paint before throwing it vaguely across the road.
So that is the last I will look for Hammerite special paint.
I will stick to the normal brush type.
I haven't told my mate yet. I expect him to tell me it was what he expected. More soon.
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