Sunny Scotland

Arrived safely, but completely knackered.
27° C in Edinburgh.

Not natural.

For some reason, blogger won't let me add any replies to comments, but I'll keep trying.

Buggering Off

I've had enough.

I'm just fed up with cold, rain and lack of sun.

So I'm off to the UK for 2 months, with a side trip to Dieppe (France) for a couple of days.

Keep Out

I've spent the day up ladders and on roofs, doing a major clean out of all the guttering.  While I was up on the roof, perched precariously over one of the skylights, I heard a voice calling to me.

Watch this space

I mentioned in my previous post, that my Beloved and I exchanged gifts on our 40th anniversary.
I gave her a large (and much too expensive) Ruby and Diamond gold ring.

Forest Fr1ends

Richard [of RBB] has been complaining that I am posting too infreqently.


So just to keep things going, here's a few images from a new(ish) meme that has been popping up in the internet.


WARNING

NOT FOR THE SQUEEMISH

CONTAINS VIOLENCE, SEX AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR

Greed

Last weekend was our 40th Wedding Anniversary, and before any of you readers (if there be any) clutch your chest in shock and alarm, I can reassure you, I did remember it.

Bed and Bread

I staggered home on Thursday night, feeling rather unwell.

Snowflakes

I am quite sure that this post will really annoy some people.

GOOD.

The Journey Northwards

Following on from the last post, SWMBO, myself, and two elderly lady friends of SWMBO are in my car (3.0L Subaru Legacy Estate), and heading North towards Whangamata.

Whangamata and MahJong

It's been a while.
Many things have changed.
For example, last weekend I visited Whangamata.

It's a lovely wee seaside town, but I wasn't there to swim or partake of shellfish, but to play Mah Jong.

I should explain.
Actually I should do a lot of things, but I can't be arsed.

I am now a man of Liesure.   Or even Leisure.  I don't care.  I've retired.

I ceased my Toil at the Chalkface on 30th January 2018.
No more pretending to care about spotty, smelly adolescents.
No more pretending to "I do this job because of the kids" . . . bollocks.
I did the job because:

1. The pay was quite good.
2. The holidays were fücking fantastic.
3. The pension was reasonable.
4. I didn't have to perform manual labour.
5. I got free tea and coffee, and I didn't have to work weekends.

However, SWMBO had agreed to attend a MahJong tournament in the aforementioned Whangamata. and I had been volunteered to act as driver for Her Graciousness and 2 other ladies.  I had taken an interest in the game, and truth be told, quite enjoyed it.

But first we had to get to Whangamata.

For you unfortunate souls who do not live in GodZone, it would probably appear to be an inconsequential task.
Drive from Wellington to Whangamata.

Please examine the map below.

This is what it should be.

But.

This is New Zealand, and if anyone tried to build a really good road between 3 three major cities on Aoteroa, then they'd be stopped.
It would contravene some weird Environmental rule.
It would offend one or many of the Maori Iwi (sort of tribes, think gangs)

It would smack of logic, there demonstrating an elitist mindset, which then had to be fundamentally racist.

The drive took 9½ hours.

 9½ fücking hours.

In the UK, driving from Glasgow to London, an equivalent distance, would take between 5 - 6 hours, on well made motorways.

In the land of the long white cloud, there was about 20km of dual carriageway, the rest being 2 or 3 lane roads.

Sorry, I need to take a break, my nerves are still shot.

Back soon.