(Sunday 10th January)
I woke at 8.45am, I had a real good day yesterday, and I’m feeling really exhilarated, the sun is out in force and I finished reading the paper I purchased yesterday, and I’m now listening to music. "Ultimate Santana." I'm burning it into my computer. The first song “Into The Night,” most impressed with it I am.
I intend to have an easy day today, I’m expecting my grandson down around 1pm so it’s indoors for me today, especially with the meal this evening.
All done, I only need to warm up the lasagne and make the Bushnell Sauce, which will take but a few minutes.
I’ve found an extraordinarily good coffee, since I’ve bought a coffee plunger, I’m trying different ones, but this one is exceptional. It’s by Robert Harris, and it’s called “Hazelnut Dream” and you can actually taste the hazel nut flavour as well the hazel aroma – smell - smell - it’s yummy to drink.
I’ve bought a book, only $1, old stock from the library, written my Terry Waite, “Taken on Trust.” If you remember, he was held captive in the Lebanon for 1,763 days, most of which was in solitary confinement until his release on 19th November 1991.
This is his autobiography of that time which he wrote first in his mind when held in darkness, which reveals his inner strength and what helped to keep his sanity. I will read the book as soon as I finish my present novel. I’ll let you know what I think about his story. But I must say, I do know quite a bit about his ordeal, I followed it at the time it happened, he is a person who I greatly admire, but it’s taken me up until now to read his book, and by accident. But maybe not, who knows?
(1.10pm) Just made the Sauce for the lasagne for tonight, a tip: don't put Greek Yogurt in the topping sauce: it doesn’t work (sic!). Listening now to the theme from the “Third Man” and nice it is too. For lunch, I’m having pâté with a crispy roll with salad.
(2.55pm) I’m listening to music using my ear phones while my grandson watches television, I have quite a collection of CD on my Computer from my collection at home, all legal I would add, no illegal downloads, don’t think it’s right.
I shall have to start writing shortly, I can’t actually say I’ve been prolific in the writing department since I’ve been out here, but really, I’m not that bothered, I’m enjoying the country and making the most of it, so I’ll have plenty of time for writing later. I think I’ve mentioned it before, I’m thinking of serialising my first book, it would make good viewing.
I did a play a few years ago, and I’m thinking of sharing it on my webpage over the next few months. In all there are Five Acts, with around 40 odd scenes, and the story tells quite a profound tale, so watch this space over the next few weeks, well months.
Listening to Cliff Richards, “The Young Ones,” brings back memories, especially of my parents. Funny is old life, as you get older your memories lengthen and you look back along the line of time gone, and...
Well, for me, I see things differently now than I did twenty years ago, I don’t long to go back there, but it does warm me somewhat: reflected memories with a time distance always looks better. Or perhaps it’s just that, you reflect forward into your mind only the memories you wish to hold and keep, and the lock gets more secure as you tread the path of life forward.
Anyway, enough of sentimentality on my part: just now, I'm listening to Tom Jones, and I am remained of Pontypridd, and yet, despite the weather there, snow, ice, subzero temperatures, it gives me a warm feeling of home, a little like a comfort blanket, so the sentimentality must be still with me.
There is a saying, you can take the man out of the Rhondda, but you can never take the Rhondda out of the man. So it is said – true! I suspect it is. There is consanguinity between Rhondda and its sons. I wonder if Tom Jones feels the same, met him a few time in the Otley Arms having a pint with his friends, he has done Pontypridd right proud.
I’m taking a rest from novel reading today, the last few weeks I’ve been a prolific reader and walker around Taupo, busy – busy – busy all the time. So I’m taking a little rest, the trouble is with rest it gives you time to think, to ponder, to wonder, reflect: I think we all need to make time for these things. I call it a `getting to know yourself day.’
Earlier I’ve turned on shuttle for my music and `Auld Lang Syne’ as just come on, so there is no getting away from it today.
I’m just about to make the potato wedges to accompany the lasagne. What I do, after I’ve cut them, is to place them in an oven at 100 to 120 Deg for twenty minutes to first soften them.
Then I spread a few spoonfuls of olive oil, finely chopped with a few chilli flakes, over the wedges, and turn the oven up to 180 Deg for half an hour. But I toss them every five minutes not for them to stick to the pan.
For the last ten minutes, I turn the oven up to 210 Deg to brown and crisp them off. Take it from me, the wedges are brilliant, and to boot, they are low in fat.
(9.20pm) The meal went well, the lasagne, everyone had second helpings, also, I opened a few beers, a bottle of prosecco wine; a New Zealand sparkling wine, very nice indeed. The dessert was a mince pie, made on a large plate with jam tarts and cream, but I feel tired now. They’ve just gone. I think it’ll be an early night for me tonight; overall, it’s been a good day, but I'm feel really tired.
(11th January 2010)
It couldn’t sleep last night, coughed for most of it, and I had a headache. I was alright until I went to bed, and then that was it. I think it might have been because there was an abrupt change in atmospheric pressure in the atmosphere. It rained continually all night and the temperature suddenly dropped substantially, when I say rain, it belted down all night: I don’t think it let up once. And yet, the day was sunny but colder than normal – at lot colder that it’s been for the last few weeks.
It made to make me really tired, and I could hardly move. I stayed in doors and just rested. I did listen to music and I read a little, but not a lot, and ate even less.
(10.10pm) Feeling a lot better now - I was really caught on the hop, I have a really bad allergy to sudden changes in temperature. I should have realised and made allowances, but this time I was caught napping. Not to worry, I just need to be a little more careful in the future, off to bed shortly, shorty log today.
(12th January)
I woke at 9am, I slept better, but still not that good, coughing and restless, I did have breakfast a bowl of fruit and a light lunch, but I didn’t go out, I just couldn’t face the gym this morning so I rested. The afternoon I felt really tired and just lay about reading and dozing, and had an easy evening, I did read a bit but found it difficult to focus, and don't feel like writing a lot.
(13th January)
I feelings a lot better this morning, but still not right, so no gym or walking for me. I may go out this afternoon if I’m feeling up to it! The weather is cloudy and a lot colder today, with a keen North Easterly wind, with dampness in the air from all the rain, but there is a high coming in tomorrow so the forecast states, but we’ll have to see.
(12.40pm) Just had a shower, been in bed most of the morning – on and off – feeling better now after a shave and change of clothes. Will read a little and take stock later today.
(1.50pm) Went out, first time the three days, walked for a while (4miles) and felt better for it. I think I may well go to the gym tomorrow, but still not back to full strength. Read a novel by Shirley McKay, “Hue and Cry.” Just finished the story, it was hard going, it was a lesson in how not to write a novel, the story went on and on, a large part of the story was so slow at times I thought it was moving backwards.
I persevered with it because I want to see how the author put the story together, but I was disappointed. The story was based in the time era 1575, in Scotland, at Saint Andrews College, the plot was disjointed, with some of the characters not believable, with others, just silly, and at times, the plot was actually confusing, but from everything you learn, even from negative experiences.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Friday, 15 January 2010
Log Fourteen From New Zealand, the 6th to the 9th of Janurary.
(Wednesday 6th January 2010)
Up at 7.20 am and straight up the gym, now the holidays are effectively over, it is back to normal. The gym opens from 6am onward, over the holiday it was 9pm. Home at 9.30, breakfast, a little read: Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.”
I started reading it in bed last night. Later, out into town and a walk around the harbour. I called into the library on the way back, a little shopping, and then home, and read for a while. I’m having chilli and potato wedges later for dinner.
I’m reading a novel by Elizabeth Chadwick, “Shadows and Stongholds.” A medieval novel based in the period, 1148 AD, the main character is called Brunin, the first novel I have read by this author. I borrowed it from the library earlier today, and even thought I’m early into the reading of the story, the writing, plot and characterization, I like, and the story is not that heavy on the mind.
Watching the news, I see that the UK is having a BAD TIME with the weather, the worse in 30 years apparently, snow, snow, and more snow; glad I’m out here in the warmth using factor 30-sun cream. I’m getting ready to travel around the rest of the island over the next week or so and looking to where I intend to go, the Coremandel is high on my list, so I Gisborne and Napier. From the weather news it looks as if it’ll rain tomorrow, but the temperature will be 23 Deg, still warm, but cloudy, but the forecast often turns out to be wrong, well, I'll have to see, off to bed 11pm.
(7th January, Thursday)
I didn’t wake until 9am this morning, I had intended to go down the gym but read instead, the Chadwick novel I’d mentioned earlier, it makes very good reading. The weather is cloudy today, but there are no rain showers as forecasted last night, which is a good thing but it’s not looking that promising for the afternoon, not matter the weather is a darn site better than in the UK with all the snow and cold weather.
Despite what I said earlier today, I didn’t go over the door all day, and was late getting to bed 2am in the morning. I read all day, finished the Chadwick novel before I went to bed, I read the whole novel in one day.
(Friday 8th January)
Woke at 9am, late for me, but I was late in bed last night – I do sleep well out here. I went straight to the gym and had a good, I mean good, work out, one and a half hours, weights and cardiac, and then I went down the library to take a few books back, where I borrowed another novel my Elizabeth Chadwick, “Running Vixen.” It’s on the same vein as her last novel based around the period 1126: perhaps it’s just what I feel, but I find women writers have more ideas about romance writing than men writers. There is more empathy in the writing and a greater understanding about love and relationships, and Chadwick has this ability to bring out emotion in her characters, which I find rather refreshing.
(1.30pm) Listen now to an opera (the full works) by Richard Strauss, “The Egyptian Helen 1928 version,” quite highbrow, “The women is Helen of Troy and the man her husband who is trying to kill her, but I must admit, I’m rather enjoying it; the singers are Deborah Voigt, and Leon Botstein. The first I’ve heard of them, both have strong voices – I’m quite surprised about myself liking them.
The weather was cloudy this morning, and it rained when I was in the gym, but later it because really close, and now, this afternoon, the sun is out and it's exceptionally warm, the weather mood can change on a penny. I need to do some shopping later, I could have done some earlier today, but frankly, I just wasn't in the mood. I may go out later, but I'm not that keen.
(3.25pm) Listening to Ave Maria – Auld Lang Syne - Greensleeves – The Last Rose of Summer, and many more, played by Andre Rieu. The CD is in two disks and entitled, “The 100 most Beautiful Melodies,” which I borrowed from Taupo Library, take it from me, the music is wonderfully, enchantingly, relaxingly beautiful.
(6.20pm) Watching the news, the weather in the UK is terrible, and from what I have heard, it is set to last for another two weeks. The ice is over most of Europe and the disruption is causing havoc throughout the UK and its neighbours. The sun is not out with us here this morning.
The clouds are back this afternoon, by lunch the sun was out and you need sun lotion.
I’m feeling a little tried now, with the gym and all the walking today around town and the shopping, carry the groceries, walking back, it’s taken it out of me so I’ll have a little relax and see how I feel after, but now, I’m not going anywhere tonight.
(11pm) I didn’t go out after, I watched television and read the daily paper which I bought earlier today and started the novel “The Running Vixen." my E. Chadwick. Listening now to Johann Strauss Orchestra with Andre Rieu playing the violin, “Aimeu,” from Romeo and Juliet, and then it’s off to bed for me.
(Saturday 9th January)
I woke at 9.20 today and went straight down the gym, the sun is out, the sky is blue, the birds are singing, what a good start to the day. I had another good workout, 1 hour 40 minutes, not sure how many calories I burnt, but concentrating on weights and press-ups with some cardiac, when I have a good work out back home I burn anything from a 1000 to 2000 calories, sometimes more.
From the gym, I went into town, did a little bit of shopping, bought a paper, I went home and had lunch, and cooked a lasagne for tomorrow evening, only having three for a meal tomorrow. Later, after reading the paper, I went up to the hot water springs. The hot water drains into the Waikato River and I went for a swim where the hot water mixes with the main river, it was exhilarating, but you needed to be careful. The river flows fast in the centre current, but the water is so clear you can see your face in the stones at the bottom.
From there I went to my son’s house for a late roast and walked home at 9.30pm. I am having the boy tomorrow afternoon, looking forward to it, I will not be late in bed tonight, I’ve walked and exercised quite a lot tonight today, walking alone I’ve done over 9 miles.
I’m feeling a little tried now, with the gym and all the walking today around town and the shopping, carry the groceries, walking back, it’s taken it out of me so I’ll have a little relax and see how I feel after, but now, I’m not going anywhere tonight.
(11pm) I didn’t go out after, I watched television and read the daily paper which I bought earlier today and started the novel “The Running Vixen." my E. Chadwick. Listening now to Johann Strauss Orchestra with Andre Rieu playing the violin, “Aimeu,” from Romeo and Juliet, and then it’s off to bed for me.
(Saturday 9th January)
I woke at 9.20 today and went straight down the gym, the sun is out, the sky is blue, the birds are singing, what a good start to the day. I had another good workout, 1 hour 40 minutes, not sure how many calories I burnt, but concentrating on weights and press-ups with some cardiac, when I have a good work out back home I burn anything from a 1000 to 2000 calories, sometimes more.
From the gym, I went into town, did a little bit of shopping, bought a paper, I went home and had lunch, and cooked a lasagne for tomorrow evening, only having three for a meal tomorrow. Later, after reading the paper, I went up to the hot water springs. The hot water drains into the Waikato River and I went for a swim where the hot water mixes with the main river, it was exhilarating, but you needed to be careful. The river flows fast in the centre current, but the water is so clear you can see your face in the stones at the bottom.
From there I went to my son’s house for a late roast and walked home at 9.30pm. I am having the boy tomorrow afternoon, looking forward to it, I will not be late in bed tonight, I’ve walked and exercised quite a lot tonight today, walking alone I’ve done over 9 miles.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Log Thirteen from New Zealand from the 3rd of January to the 5th of January 2010
(Sunday 3rd January 2010)
Up early and read for the morning, my son dropped down my grandson and went off to work. Later, I went shopping with him and bought when I need for the meal tonight, I have eleven coming including my grandson, four men and six women. I won’t be able to get them all around the table so I’m doing a sort of `collect yourself type of meal.'
I already had chicken curry in the freezer from earlier, so I defrosted and fortified with boiled potatoes, and placed in the oven to heat. Also, I cut bacon is slices and fried them with a grained mustard and some tomato puree, with small pieces of cauliflower, plus a few cut tomatoes lost of all.
I bought a joint of beef, called corned silverside, washed it few time in cold clean water to get the salt out and cut it in thin strips, and fried it on a high heat in a frying pan with ginger, plum juice with garlic and a few herbs. When the liquid was reduced, added a few spoonfuls of raw brow sugar, to turn the beef strips sticky,
Separately, I fried the vegetables: carrots - cut small - cauliflower, and other stir-fry vegetables in season. Cut up two peppers and fried them in crème fraîche and added them all together and finally added the sauces, and mixed it together in a lager pot and heated it to serve (made my own sauce) with the other food and garlic bread.
The lot went, second and third helpings.
Up early and read for the morning, my son dropped down my grandson and went off to work. Later, I went shopping with him and bought when I need for the meal tonight, I have eleven coming including my grandson, four men and six women. I won’t be able to get them all around the table so I’m doing a sort of `collect yourself type of meal.'
I already had chicken curry in the freezer from earlier, so I defrosted and fortified with boiled potatoes, and placed in the oven to heat. Also, I cut bacon is slices and fried them with a grained mustard and some tomato puree, with small pieces of cauliflower, plus a few cut tomatoes lost of all.
I bought a joint of beef, called corned silverside, washed it few time in cold clean water to get the salt out and cut it in thin strips, and fried it on a high heat in a frying pan with ginger, plum juice with garlic and a few herbs. When the liquid was reduced, added a few spoonfuls of raw brow sugar, to turn the beef strips sticky,
Separately, I fried the vegetables: carrots - cut small - cauliflower, and other stir-fry vegetables in season. Cut up two peppers and fried them in crème fraîche and added them all together and finally added the sauces, and mixed it together in a lager pot and heated it to serve (made my own sauce) with the other food and garlic bread.
The lot went, second and third helpings.
For dessert, a cake and custard, a really good night and they left about 10am. I cleaned up and spent a little time reading before I retired to bed (11.10am) feeling really good, it went so well – I so do enjoying cooking and experimenting with food trying different combinations.
(Monday 5th January 2010)
(Monday 5th January 2010)
Up at 9.40am had a light breakfast and read until my son called down with my grandson around 11.30, he’s sleeping now, his afternoon nap, (1.23pm) I’ll be waking him in about 20 minutes and then we’ll play for a few hours, I ‘m collecting his mother from work a 5 o clock.
(6.07) No need for me to fetch anyone as it turned out from work, so played with my grandson and read. Just finished a novel by Piers Paul Read: “A Season in the West,” which I rather enjoyed. I’ll be having an easy night, watching television and reading with a glass or two of wine (I was a bit premature when I said I'll give it up) and hopefully, gym tomorrow morning, and to the library.
Need to plan over the next few days where I’m to travel to around New Zealand, and what I want to see, buy first I need to get a car.
(10.20pm) Watching TV `half-and-half,’ surfing the three channels, and reading a novel by Jeffrey Gruikshank: “Murder at the B-School,” a murder mystery, nothing much else to report today so off to bed shortly.
(10.20pm) Watching TV `half-and-half,’ surfing the three channels, and reading a novel by Jeffrey Gruikshank: “Murder at the B-School,” a murder mystery, nothing much else to report today so off to bed shortly.
LOG TWELVE FROM NEW ZEALAND, 31st of December to 2nd of JANUARY 2010
(Thursday 31st December)
The last day of the old year, I got up at 6.20am and went to the gym but it was closed, not open until 9am, silly really, I should have realised. Feeling exceptionally good this morning, the last three days rest has done me the world of good, and my batteries feel quite charged and ready to go.
New Year has finally arrived, I was in bed, almost asleep, but the sounds of fireworks going off at midnight, with music from the nearby Park filling the air; they had a concert there last night. The music sounded good, but I must say, I slept well in spite of the noise, woke at 7.10am this morning.
My grandson came into the bedroom to say he wanted breakfast, and that was it. Sleep over for me for the day.
Listening now to music - piano, “Morning,” from Peer Gynt, by Greig. The sun is out, but there is a slight morning chill in the air, but there are no clouds around, so it should be warm later this morning.
(10.35am) Seems funny, back home they are just getting ready to celebrate New Year, and I’m here with my grandson getting ready to go swimming later today, the last year already spent. New Year is a time for reflection of what has gone and what the future holds, and I feel the relentless pull of time forcing itself forward, myself with it, into the unknown.
The last year for me is over, and it has slipped past among merriment and fireworks into history as I dozed into sleep last night, as so it will for everyone shortly as Mother Earth completes its daily spin and its yearly cycle around the sun.
What has happened has happened, the words are written, the ink on the paper dry – indomitably formed, the future is yet to unfold. I, like everyone else, wonder what is in store for me! For this world, for climate change, terrorism, and the myriad of other things that will happen this year, and are as yet, still masked behind the cloak of future time of what is to come. I am mindful of the song,
“Hey Que Sera Sera: what will be will be the future is not ours to see.”
And I am glad of that, to know would mean that whatever you do will make not the slightest bit of difference, so why try? But that is not the case, we control our own destiny, I believe that with a passion, but there again, sometimes, I think some things are preordained irrespective of our actions.
Up form bed at 9am, late for me, weather stunning out today, read for most of the morning, reading Shakespeare, “The Tragedy Of Coriolanus,” still studying John Whitbourn’s novel. I walked into town an 11.30am, did a little shopping, walked around the lake, back home for lunch. Later, my son and grandson called down, my daughter in law is working today, and we went out, to the lake, on his new bike, which his other grandparents bought him for his birthday – done a video of him riding it with my son following on a skateboard.
I hope they like it, but I think they will despite the shaking as I ran alongside them – anyway, it was fun to do.
The last day of the old year, I got up at 6.20am and went to the gym but it was closed, not open until 9am, silly really, I should have realised. Feeling exceptionally good this morning, the last three days rest has done me the world of good, and my batteries feel quite charged and ready to go.
(8.25am) I’ve been reading this morning, Shakespeare, you got it, Romeo and Juliet. I think I’ll read a few of his Tragedies over the next few days.
I’ll be leaving shortly to go down the library, it opens at nine, for me to post my log, later, I’ll call back and spend an hour in the gym. Since last Saturday, the barbecue night, I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol, and I can’t see me tonight either, I could easily give up wine without any problem whatsoever.
(2pm) Back from library and called in the gym on the way back and did some weight training. Spent the rest of the time reading and then at 4pm walked up to my son’s house for a barbecue and for my grandson’s birthday. He’s three years old today.
Load of people turned up, my son had to work until 7pm and the lot of them were going into town later, there’s a concert in the park. I didn’t drink alcohol, and offered to babysit to allow the both of them to go out for the night and I drive down to my house with my grandson at 8pm and after a little while he was in bed asleep.
I read for most of the night and in bed by 11.50am. I can hear fireworks being set off and music coming from a few houses in the street – they are having a good night, and so am I. I’m off to sleep stone cold sober – and it feels good, exceptionally good, I'm toying with giving up drinking alcohol for good. Happy New year everyone – we are twelve hours in front out here.
(Friday, 1st of January 2010 – New Years Day)
I’ll be leaving shortly to go down the library, it opens at nine, for me to post my log, later, I’ll call back and spend an hour in the gym. Since last Saturday, the barbecue night, I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol, and I can’t see me tonight either, I could easily give up wine without any problem whatsoever.
(2pm) Back from library and called in the gym on the way back and did some weight training. Spent the rest of the time reading and then at 4pm walked up to my son’s house for a barbecue and for my grandson’s birthday. He’s three years old today.
Load of people turned up, my son had to work until 7pm and the lot of them were going into town later, there’s a concert in the park. I didn’t drink alcohol, and offered to babysit to allow the both of them to go out for the night and I drive down to my house with my grandson at 8pm and after a little while he was in bed asleep.
I read for most of the night and in bed by 11.50am. I can hear fireworks being set off and music coming from a few houses in the street – they are having a good night, and so am I. I’m off to sleep stone cold sober – and it feels good, exceptionally good, I'm toying with giving up drinking alcohol for good. Happy New year everyone – we are twelve hours in front out here.
(Friday, 1st of January 2010 – New Years Day)
New Year has finally arrived, I was in bed, almost asleep, but the sounds of fireworks going off at midnight, with music from the nearby Park filling the air; they had a concert there last night. The music sounded good, but I must say, I slept well in spite of the noise, woke at 7.10am this morning.
My grandson came into the bedroom to say he wanted breakfast, and that was it. Sleep over for me for the day.
Listening now to music - piano, “Morning,” from Peer Gynt, by Greig. The sun is out, but there is a slight morning chill in the air, but there are no clouds around, so it should be warm later this morning.
(10.35am) Seems funny, back home they are just getting ready to celebrate New Year, and I’m here with my grandson getting ready to go swimming later today, the last year already spent. New Year is a time for reflection of what has gone and what the future holds, and I feel the relentless pull of time forcing itself forward, myself with it, into the unknown.
The last year for me is over, and it has slipped past among merriment and fireworks into history as I dozed into sleep last night, as so it will for everyone shortly as Mother Earth completes its daily spin and its yearly cycle around the sun.
What has happened has happened, the words are written, the ink on the paper dry – indomitably formed, the future is yet to unfold. I, like everyone else, wonder what is in store for me! For this world, for climate change, terrorism, and the myriad of other things that will happen this year, and are as yet, still masked behind the cloak of future time of what is to come. I am mindful of the song,
“Hey Que Sera Sera: what will be will be the future is not ours to see.”
And I am glad of that, to know would mean that whatever you do will make not the slightest bit of difference, so why try? But that is not the case, we control our own destiny, I believe that with a passion, but there again, sometimes, I think some things are preordained irrespective of our actions.
We the players in the stage of life, like a passing shooting star that burns bright for but a second and is gone, burned, as if we had never existed. Some will fall to earth and make their mark on the world, but most will not, and will soon be forgotten.
Sad you might think. But I don’t, we bestow our space upon someone else, a gift, for them to fill the space that we have left, so I come back to where I started: we all can make our mark in the world by not making a mark.
`Now you are being silly,’ you say.
`Not at all,’ I reply with an assured confidence.
Sad you might think. But I don’t, we bestow our space upon someone else, a gift, for them to fill the space that we have left, so I come back to where I started: we all can make our mark in the world by not making a mark.
`Now you are being silly,’ you say.
`Not at all,’ I reply with an assured confidence.
To make not a mark is good, because you do make a mark, very much so, `a clean mark.’ You leave the world the same as you entered it, leaving nothing behind for others to clean the mark away.
Perhaps you think I play with words and paradoxes, but just think about it for a moment!
You stop to rest when out walking, take a seat on a stone, look around, admire the beauty, build a fire, boil a kettle, have lunch, and leave your litter behind to tell everyone you’ve been there, you have made your mark by telling the world you have been there.
The other scenario, you take you litter with you, leaving the place pristine as if you’d never stopped there, leaving not a mark, no sign, no one will ever know, only you, that you’ve ever been there. But your mark is there as sure as the other person, more so in fact, you have left the same mark `as before you arrived there.’
You have left the place as you found it; you have retained the original mark that was there before you for others to enjoy, hopefully, the one after leaving the same mark that you have left - no mark. It’s an interesting thought, wouldn’t you agree, if nothing more. Anyway, Happy New Year to all, as I write it’s almost 12pm midnight in the UK, so I’m off out to lunch.
(Late afternoon) What a lunch in Acacia Bay, later we went down the lake for a swim. The weather was hot today; the beach was full, with everyone enjoying the holiday. Anyone who is not a good swimmer needed to be careful at this spot, almost straight off the beach the bottom drops away rather quickly, the whole lake is a volcano, good snorkelling, unfortunately there was not a lot to see, but I did see my first few fish, small fry, at the bottom, but well worth the effort.
Later, I did a bit of shopping in Woolworths for food and then home. I was intending to go out, but instead I read a little and watched a film, “The Kingdom of Heaven,” about the crusades and it was then too late, but there is always tomorrow.
(Saturday 2nd of January 2010)
You stop to rest when out walking, take a seat on a stone, look around, admire the beauty, build a fire, boil a kettle, have lunch, and leave your litter behind to tell everyone you’ve been there, you have made your mark by telling the world you have been there.
The other scenario, you take you litter with you, leaving the place pristine as if you’d never stopped there, leaving not a mark, no sign, no one will ever know, only you, that you’ve ever been there. But your mark is there as sure as the other person, more so in fact, you have left the same mark `as before you arrived there.’
You have left the place as you found it; you have retained the original mark that was there before you for others to enjoy, hopefully, the one after leaving the same mark that you have left - no mark. It’s an interesting thought, wouldn’t you agree, if nothing more. Anyway, Happy New Year to all, as I write it’s almost 12pm midnight in the UK, so I’m off out to lunch.
(Late afternoon) What a lunch in Acacia Bay, later we went down the lake for a swim. The weather was hot today; the beach was full, with everyone enjoying the holiday. Anyone who is not a good swimmer needed to be careful at this spot, almost straight off the beach the bottom drops away rather quickly, the whole lake is a volcano, good snorkelling, unfortunately there was not a lot to see, but I did see my first few fish, small fry, at the bottom, but well worth the effort.
Later, I did a bit of shopping in Woolworths for food and then home. I was intending to go out, but instead I read a little and watched a film, “The Kingdom of Heaven,” about the crusades and it was then too late, but there is always tomorrow.
(Saturday 2nd of January 2010)
Up form bed at 9am, late for me, weather stunning out today, read for most of the morning, reading Shakespeare, “The Tragedy Of Coriolanus,” still studying John Whitbourn’s novel. I walked into town an 11.30am, did a little shopping, walked around the lake, back home for lunch. Later, my son and grandson called down, my daughter in law is working today, and we went out, to the lake, on his new bike, which his other grandparents bought him for his birthday – done a video of him riding it with my son following on a skateboard.
I hope they like it, but I think they will despite the shaking as I ran alongside them – anyway, it was fun to do.
(6.50pm) I’m watching the news now, and I may go out tonight after I’ve had something to eat. It looks as if we’ve to have rain tomorrow, but fine on Wednesday.
(11.48) Just got back from town after a few beers, a good night, listened to a good band in “The Shed” and I like Tui beer, but it’s funny, because it’s a Bank Holiday, almost everyone places a surcharge on meals and drinks. Tonight in The Shed, it was 10% but in the other Irish bar, it was 15%, which is about the average, anyway, I’m off to bed.
(11.48) Just got back from town after a few beers, a good night, listened to a good band in “The Shed” and I like Tui beer, but it’s funny, because it’s a Bank Holiday, almost everyone places a surcharge on meals and drinks. Tonight in The Shed, it was 10% but in the other Irish bar, it was 15%, which is about the average, anyway, I’m off to bed.
Next Blog Shortly.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Roy Tomkinson: LOG ELEVEN from New Zealand from the 27th to the 30th of December 2009
(Sunday 27th December)
The barbecue last night was brilliant, they were load of people there and plenty of food, but I drank a little too much wine. They had a set of drums there that linked into the television, and a prompt on the screen for when you are to hit the drums according to the song on screen, so I gave it a go. I thought it was brilliant – most impressed with it. I got home at 11pm, tired, tipsy, but happy.
Woke at 5am and I couldn’t go back to sleep, had a few glasses of water and read for a while, and lazed about for the rest of the morning.
The barbecue last night was brilliant, they were load of people there and plenty of food, but I drank a little too much wine. They had a set of drums there that linked into the television, and a prompt on the screen for when you are to hit the drums according to the song on screen, so I gave it a go. I thought it was brilliant – most impressed with it. I got home at 11pm, tired, tipsy, but happy.
Woke at 5am and I couldn’t go back to sleep, had a few glasses of water and read for a while, and lazed about for the rest of the morning.
(1pm) Feeling tired now - dehydrated, will lay off the alcohol for a few days. I’m still reading, actually, in and out reading, a few pages at a time, the biography of “Karl Marx. I’m having an easy day, refocusing and taking it slow – I feel like the weather today, cloudy and warm with a haze in my eyes. I won’t be walking far today – worth it though, I had a great night. I need to eat something now, I’m about to make a cheese and onion sandwich with a few cups of tea.
(4.30pm) Feeling better and went out for a walk, my head is clear now, well almost, I’m just back to normal. The outside air has really sorted me out, and the shower afterwards; and to top it off, the weather has brightened up somewhat.
(7.10pm), Nanny McPHee, Emma Thompson, has just started on the television, Channel Three, (I only have three free channels) I think I’ve seen it before, can’t remember where, but I know I really enjoyed it, very much so, therefore, I’ll watch it again, and then I’ll have something to eat. I have a large potato in the oven and I’ll have some beans, which I will enrich with some curry powder, and I’ll tip them over the baked potato, I’m not cooking for anyone today, thank goodness, after last night.
A number of pilot whales, over sixty in total, were stranded today on a beach in New Zealand, unfortunately, twenty have died while on the beach, but it looks as if the rest has been successfully rescued and directed out to sea. The beach was full of people, locals, and holidaymakers, all in the water helping the whales to keep cool while awaiting the return of the incoming tide. I’m off to bed, (11.45).
(Monday 27th December)
Woke up at 8.20am feeling really rough, I had a headache and my stomach was unset. At first, I thought it was a residual hangover from the barbecue Saturday night, but I was so tired and sick that couldn’t be the reason.
Somehow, I must have caught a bug, but it may be a change is the weather that’s to blame, it rained last night and it is still raining now (3.10pm) and I feel no better. I have an allergy to temperature change in the atmosphere, and perhaps I am affected by that.
I’ve been in bed all day, and feel as weak as a newborn kitten, and can’t eat anything, if I do it comes straight back up. Perhaps it’s my body just shutting down for awhile to make me stop, but I hope I’ll feel better tomorrow, goodness knows, it’s been a bad illness day for me today. I’m not complaining: what life throws at you is but part of living life in the fast lane, but that doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t fight back, but tomorrow is another day, so it’s always pays to be positive.
I have my grandchild here at the moment and thank goodness, there is someone here to look after him, but he is spending a large proportion of his time jumping on me in bed and asking when I’m getting up. It’s his way of looking after me. Hope I feel better tomorrow, in bed by 10.30, well actually, I’d been in bed on and off for most of the day.
(Tuesday 29th December)
Wake at 9.20am feeling a lot better, the tiredness I had felt yesterday no longer clung as if superglue. I think that perhaps it was my body telling me to take a rest, now I feel as if I’ve been rejuvenated, but I intend to take it easy this morning, no gym today, I think.
Last night it rained heavily for most of the night and this morning - fine now, (11.08) but it’s still very warm 24 Deg and cloudy. My son brought my grandson down at 10.20, he needs to go and look for a car, his other car has now packed in, so he’s not a happy bunny – two cars gone to the happy hunting ground in a matter of a few weeks.
(4.30pm) Feeling better and went out for a walk, my head is clear now, well almost, I’m just back to normal. The outside air has really sorted me out, and the shower afterwards; and to top it off, the weather has brightened up somewhat.
(7.10pm), Nanny McPHee, Emma Thompson, has just started on the television, Channel Three, (I only have three free channels) I think I’ve seen it before, can’t remember where, but I know I really enjoyed it, very much so, therefore, I’ll watch it again, and then I’ll have something to eat. I have a large potato in the oven and I’ll have some beans, which I will enrich with some curry powder, and I’ll tip them over the baked potato, I’m not cooking for anyone today, thank goodness, after last night.
A number of pilot whales, over sixty in total, were stranded today on a beach in New Zealand, unfortunately, twenty have died while on the beach, but it looks as if the rest has been successfully rescued and directed out to sea. The beach was full of people, locals, and holidaymakers, all in the water helping the whales to keep cool while awaiting the return of the incoming tide. I’m off to bed, (11.45).
(Monday 27th December)
Woke up at 8.20am feeling really rough, I had a headache and my stomach was unset. At first, I thought it was a residual hangover from the barbecue Saturday night, but I was so tired and sick that couldn’t be the reason.
Somehow, I must have caught a bug, but it may be a change is the weather that’s to blame, it rained last night and it is still raining now (3.10pm) and I feel no better. I have an allergy to temperature change in the atmosphere, and perhaps I am affected by that.
I’ve been in bed all day, and feel as weak as a newborn kitten, and can’t eat anything, if I do it comes straight back up. Perhaps it’s my body just shutting down for awhile to make me stop, but I hope I’ll feel better tomorrow, goodness knows, it’s been a bad illness day for me today. I’m not complaining: what life throws at you is but part of living life in the fast lane, but that doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t fight back, but tomorrow is another day, so it’s always pays to be positive.
I have my grandchild here at the moment and thank goodness, there is someone here to look after him, but he is spending a large proportion of his time jumping on me in bed and asking when I’m getting up. It’s his way of looking after me. Hope I feel better tomorrow, in bed by 10.30, well actually, I’d been in bed on and off for most of the day.
(Tuesday 29th December)
Wake at 9.20am feeling a lot better, the tiredness I had felt yesterday no longer clung as if superglue. I think that perhaps it was my body telling me to take a rest, now I feel as if I’ve been rejuvenated, but I intend to take it easy this morning, no gym today, I think.
Last night it rained heavily for most of the night and this morning - fine now, (11.08) but it’s still very warm 24 Deg and cloudy. My son brought my grandson down at 10.20, he needs to go and look for a car, his other car has now packed in, so he’s not a happy bunny – two cars gone to the happy hunting ground in a matter of a few weeks.
That’s what he does, he buys an old car, if the price is right, and runs it into the ground, and then he purchases another one, but he wasn’t expecting the both cars irrevocably to break down so quickly.
I’ll read and play with my grandson until my son returns, hopefully, with another car, and this time he’ll look after it a little better than the other two cars, which are now only good for scrap, but somehow I doubt it.
I’m reading another novel in between the others I studying: studying a novel or a piece of writing I find is different from just reading a novel for entertainment, but often, the line is blurred on occasions, to such an extent it is difficult the make the demarcation line that distinct – but it’s not that important to me
If I find a piece of writing interesting, I almost unconsciously end up studying it. The novel is “The Darling,” by Russell Banks ISBN: 3 3374 00147927 8, should anyone be interested, this is the first book I’ve read by this author, in bed by 11.10pm.
(Wednesday 30th December)
Up at 7am this morning, feeling a lot better, but I do have a dry throat, but with the tiredness has gone. My grandson turned up at 7.30am, I’m having him for the day. The sky is blue today so the weather will be sunny and warm
I haven’t been food shopping for over a week and I don’t have a lot of food left to eat. I have a few frozen meals in the fridge, but out of milk and teabags, but I do have some bread etc, need to do a food shop shortly, the plus is, I’ve spent very little over the last ten days. I’ll do my expenditure up to date today, but know I’m in budget. I did over spend a little to set up the house etc, but since then I’ve spent very little. Indeed, I’ve even included in the budget the amount I have spent on bonds, $500+$150+50 which I’ll get back. Best to be caution over expenditure, I’m really good at budgeting, but from now on, I’m not expecting to spend a lot over the next few weeks other than on food. Until I start to travel round the county.
Just completed my daily budget up to week six and I’m over budget by $1005, (Ouch!) but that included the setting up costs of the house and the deposits ($700) which I’ll get back and the end of the period.
I’ll read and play with my grandson until my son returns, hopefully, with another car, and this time he’ll look after it a little better than the other two cars, which are now only good for scrap, but somehow I doubt it.
I’m reading another novel in between the others I studying: studying a novel or a piece of writing I find is different from just reading a novel for entertainment, but often, the line is blurred on occasions, to such an extent it is difficult the make the demarcation line that distinct – but it’s not that important to me
If I find a piece of writing interesting, I almost unconsciously end up studying it. The novel is “The Darling,” by Russell Banks ISBN: 3 3374 00147927 8, should anyone be interested, this is the first book I’ve read by this author, in bed by 11.10pm.
(Wednesday 30th December)
Up at 7am this morning, feeling a lot better, but I do have a dry throat, but with the tiredness has gone. My grandson turned up at 7.30am, I’m having him for the day. The sky is blue today so the weather will be sunny and warm
I haven’t been food shopping for over a week and I don’t have a lot of food left to eat. I have a few frozen meals in the fridge, but out of milk and teabags, but I do have some bread etc, need to do a food shop shortly, the plus is, I’ve spent very little over the last ten days. I’ll do my expenditure up to date today, but know I’m in budget. I did over spend a little to set up the house etc, but since then I’ve spent very little. Indeed, I’ve even included in the budget the amount I have spent on bonds, $500+$150+50 which I’ll get back. Best to be caution over expenditure, I’m really good at budgeting, but from now on, I’m not expecting to spend a lot over the next few weeks other than on food. Until I start to travel round the county.
Just completed my daily budget up to week six and I’m over budget by $1005, (Ouch!) but that included the setting up costs of the house and the deposits ($700) which I’ll get back and the end of the period.
So the true `over-budget expenditure variance’ is: $305, which I must make back over the next few weeks, but looks worse that what it is due to the house setting up costs and with Christmas expenditure included as well.
So the next few weeks will see me getting back into budget – when I plan something I always like to see it work out, but of course, if other variables are included there may have to be alternations, but I don't like my plans going wrong. I’ll just have to seeThe $305 figure divided by the 6 weeks I’ve been here up to 26th of December represents an overspend of: $50 per week, about £23 per week – which there should be no problem making back over the next few weeks, after that is, I get the bonds returned for the various guarantees.
After my grandson went home around 6pm I read for most of the night, didn’t go out all day, in fact, for the last three days, in bed by 12..05am, later than I normally go to bed. But at least I'm now back to normal.
So the next few weeks will see me getting back into budget – when I plan something I always like to see it work out, but of course, if other variables are included there may have to be alternations, but I don't like my plans going wrong. I’ll just have to seeThe $305 figure divided by the 6 weeks I’ve been here up to 26th of December represents an overspend of: $50 per week, about £23 per week – which there should be no problem making back over the next few weeks, after that is, I get the bonds returned for the various guarantees.
After my grandson went home around 6pm I read for most of the night, didn’t go out all day, in fact, for the last three days, in bed by 12..05am, later than I normally go to bed. But at least I'm now back to normal.
I know there is still a day to New Year, but still: A good New Year to you All, and may your wishes come true. Ch-aw for now. See you in the New Year.
Roy Tomkinson: Log Ten From New Zealand from the 24th to the 26th of December 2009
(Thursday 24th December)
Up at 6.40 with my grandson and out after breakfast at 7.50am to take my daughter in law to work and to drop off my grandson at school. It’s breaking up at 5pm today for Christmas, and his potato plant, which he planted earlier in the year; he’ll be allowed to take the plant home this afternoon. So there should be new potatoes for Christmas dinner. Before I left this morning, I phoned home and spoke to my eldest grandson and to my son, it was good to hear their voices.
(9am) Just got back from the gym, did mostly weights this morning, 45 minutes is enough, I over did it yesterday trained for over an hour and a half – too long and I should have drunk more water – I didn’t make that mistake today. But sometimes even though you know something, now and again, it still slips your mind, does with me anyway.
Seems strange, out here in the Sun (it’ll be really hot today) and it’ll be Christmas Day tomorrow: WOW! and so far away from home, I can hardly believe it – I’ll glad in one way, and yet, there is a foreboding in me when I look at it from another angle, strange, very strange indeed are my mixed feelings. I can’t explain them because I can’t explain them to myself, let alone to anyone else. I may go down the lake later for a snorkel, but first, I’ll have a coffee with a piece of toast with Tuna fish on to the top, and I’ll read for a little while.
I’ve given up writing over the Christmas period, and will start in January. I do intent to go travelling sometime around the Island for a few weeks, and I’ll probably camp out The weather is ideal for it – besides, there is something magical about being near to nature, but there again, we’ll see, I may well change my mind, and end up in a four star hotel – male prerogative and all that.
Coming back home, just as I was pulling in to my drive, the phone went my friend “A” from the UK phoned to see how I was getting on with New Zealand. I explaining the day is warm and sunny if somewhat strange. He said his car was holed up for a few days in his drive because the weather has been bad. How different it is here!
For lunch, a tuna salad and I bought some honey yogurt, and I had a large helping and settled down to read for the rest of the afternoon, daily paper first, and then my book which I finished almost immediately, “Popes and Phantoms”
(6pm) I think I’ve mentioned it before, but wasn’t quite sure of it then, but I still hold my view of the characters being away from the creator, but the writing is superb: I am rereading the book, and making it a study. It is worth more than a casual read. Even more important than going down the lake for a swim, which I did promise myself this morning.
John Whitbourn has a way of constructing words, which you don’t see that often, and well worth further investigation. I’ll get hold of his other writings and delve deep into his multiplicity of meanings – his writings want me to go and read Shakespeare; not of course, that he writes likes the Bard: it’s just a feeling I have inside of me, I shall be with this novel for a while.
Listing to the news now, sun blazing down outside. It’s Christmas Eve, Wow! Seems strange, all around me are trees, green, full of early summer bloom, green leaves shimmering in the light wind.
I’m sitting my shorts and my vest at me computer, may go out tonight into town, seems strange being away from almost everyone I know on Christmas – mixed emotions really, but I do have a few members of family out here, but it would be nice if everyone was altogether.
I know they’ll all be down my house back in Wales for Christmas dinner, they will all be there Christmas Eve and wake in my house Christmas Morning,. I’ll definitely phone them, we are twelve hours in front of them.
Watched a little television and went (9pm) out, but I came back after one drink, felt a little sick, I think I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me. I was back in the house before ten thirty. It’s funny, most places were empty; they don’t seem to celebrate Christmas the same way out here.
Perhaps it is because most people work on Christmas Day, that’s what I was told. Taupo is a holiday place and most of the population in one way or another work in tourism or are in some way connected with the trade. And they are far more prone to stay at home and invite friends around for a meal, normally outside on the patio. Anyway, the time now as I write this in my log is 7 minutes to twelve, and I’ll off to bed – a good Christmas to all.
(Christmas Day 25th December, Friday)
I know they’ll all be down my house back in Wales for Christmas dinner, they will all be there Christmas Eve and wake in my house Christmas Morning,. I’ll definitely phone them, we are twelve hours in front of them.
Watched a little television and went (9pm) out, but I came back after one drink, felt a little sick, I think I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me. I was back in the house before ten thirty. It’s funny, most places were empty; they don’t seem to celebrate Christmas the same way out here.
Perhaps it is because most people work on Christmas Day, that’s what I was told. Taupo is a holiday place and most of the population in one way or another work in tourism or are in some way connected with the trade. And they are far more prone to stay at home and invite friends around for a meal, normally outside on the patio. Anyway, the time now as I write this in my log is 7 minutes to twelve, and I’ll off to bed – a good Christmas to all.
(Christmas Day 25th December, Friday)
Slept good, zonked in fact, I woke at 7.45am, no sooner up from bed, and the phone rings. My son asking if he can bring my grandson down for a few hours because he as a few things to do, his wife is working this morning until around 5pm. Then the presents will be opened, Christmas Dinner will be around 6pm this evening. It seems strange having Christmas Dinner this late in the day, can’t ever recall me having it this late before, but were need must... just one of those things.
Yesterday I bought some honey and some pro-biotic yogurt with bush honey yogurt and I had some this morning over muesli – the taste is brilliant. Also, I’ve made a large boiled cake using tea and some red wine, filled with fruit, and the taste is fantastic, I must be careful not to eat too much – but what the hell it’s Christmas, I think I’ll have a piece now.
(8.35am) The weather today is hot with not a cloud in the sky. I am writing this log drinking a cut of tea wearing a small sweatshirt with a pair of shorts feeling really fit. I should be: what - with all the walking and gym, I feel, I am, know so, in good shape.
Over the last few weeks, my body has really tightened up, even if my feet sting a little from all the walking and training. I train in bare feet in the gym, I didn’t bring my training shoes with me, so my feet are hardening to the treatment I inflict upon them, but they are not too happy about it, and need first to experience a few blisters before they succumb to the hardness, but my feet's’ complaints goes unnoticed by myself.
(9.10am) My grandson is watching the television, “Sponge Ball with Patrick.” I can never work out how they manage to sunbath under the sea, and why they need an umbrella when it rains, but perhaps I’m being too politically correct and should cut a little leeway with the programme. Still, it’s hard to swallow, but the kids (to be honest I also enjoy watching it) love the programme, so I go with the flow – no choice really: Shucks! The twists and turns that life throws at us, the best way is to smile and accept and get on with it.
12.30pm) My son came down and asked if I’d like to go down to the lake for a swim and off we went. I was in the water for over an hour, fins wetsuit, snorkel the lot, at first the water was a bit cold but after the initial immersion if was great, but I need to be careful of the speedboats and the jet skies, a real fun time.
Then back to his house for Christmas Lunch, well dinner really, after he fetched his wife from work. When she arrived, we opened our Christmas Presents and had Christmas Dinner outside in the sun on the patio with a few glassed of wine.
Later, we went visiting a friend of his; I had met him before down the gym but not his wife who was from Neath South Wales, a fluent Welsh Speaker, working as an English teacher in the local school. More food, with Punch, really good, had a few glasses, and then he opened a bottle of vintage port: Oh, I do like a good port and then they dropped me off around 8.30, I watched a little television and phoned home and spoke to my daughter, son, and grandchildren. They were all at my house, I think I’ve said before they’d be there on Christmas Day preparing the meal, and we had a good chat, in bed by 11.45pm feeling really tired.
(Saturday 26th of December Boxing Day)
Later, we went visiting a friend of his; I had met him before down the gym but not his wife who was from Neath South Wales, a fluent Welsh Speaker, working as an English teacher in the local school. More food, with Punch, really good, had a few glasses, and then he opened a bottle of vintage port: Oh, I do like a good port and then they dropped me off around 8.30, I watched a little television and phoned home and spoke to my daughter, son, and grandchildren. They were all at my house, I think I’ve said before they’d be there on Christmas Day preparing the meal, and we had a good chat, in bed by 11.45pm feeling really tired.
(Saturday 26th of December Boxing Day)
I don’t think I moved all night, woke at 7.45 feeling a little stiff, a few light exercises to loosen me up and then I had breakfast, the usual, honey with muesli, with of course two cups of tea. I intend to take an easy day today and read, but there again, it could change later, I’ll just have to see how I feel.
I’ve been keeping abreast of the climate summit of World Leader and it was as I expected, not a lot of agreement. There were factions there that didn’t want an agreement on carbon emissions, but it won’t go away. We need to do something and fast if we are to reverse the trend.
We are not far off the precipice. Perhaps already we’ve passed it, but politicians are proving a hard nut to crack, especially when faced against large business interests, and other interests pressing down on them.
But they are living in a fool’s paradise, and I am amazed that they have on this occasion advanced the frontiers of blithering ineptitude to hitherto inconceivable limits with their intransigence when it comes to global warming, and they need to face up to its reality, as does large businesses, and quickly.
(10.30am) My son turned up with my grandchild and dropped him off, we played, and I made him one of my “special smoothie:” we played with his toy fire engine, we did a puzzle on the alphabet, and he was picked at 12.30pm.
I had lunch, beans on toast and listened to Susan Boyle’s CD, “I Dreamed a Dream,” very good it is to, and then I read, but I couldn’t get the Susan Boyle’s CD out of my mind, for some reason, the title intrigued me, and then it dawn on me, if I changed the “Dreamed” to “Dreamt.” It was in my face.
“I Dreamt a Dream,” the only word in the English language to end in “mt” (I had mentioned earlier in this log) the words come from Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Act 1 Scene IV) spoken by Romeo to Mercutio when on their way to the pageant at the Capulet’s house. Funny how things stick in your mind, and something often unrelated springs something, and there you have it staring at you as bold as brass.
I reading now - rereading actually, I’m studying the novel by John Whitbourn, it’s a treasure of sayings. I’ll give you a flavour.
The year is 1492: the main character, SLOVO is praying on his knees. Listen to his prayer.
(10.30am) My son turned up with my grandchild and dropped him off, we played, and I made him one of my “special smoothie:” we played with his toy fire engine, we did a puzzle on the alphabet, and he was picked at 12.30pm.
I had lunch, beans on toast and listened to Susan Boyle’s CD, “I Dreamed a Dream,” very good it is to, and then I read, but I couldn’t get the Susan Boyle’s CD out of my mind, for some reason, the title intrigued me, and then it dawn on me, if I changed the “Dreamed” to “Dreamt.” It was in my face.
“I Dreamt a Dream,” the only word in the English language to end in “mt” (I had mentioned earlier in this log) the words come from Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Act 1 Scene IV) spoken by Romeo to Mercutio when on their way to the pageant at the Capulet’s house. Funny how things stick in your mind, and something often unrelated springs something, and there you have it staring at you as bold as brass.
I reading now - rereading actually, I’m studying the novel by John Whitbourn, it’s a treasure of sayings. I’ll give you a flavour.
The year is 1492: the main character, SLOVO is praying on his knees. Listen to his prayer.
“Almighty Lord, on the reasonable assumption that you exist and that your wishes for Mankind are actually as related by the various revelations honoured by my time and culture, please forgive me of the things I have done, and will do. Generally speaking I mean well – except when I mean ill: which is probably too often. Please keep my melancholia within acceptable bounds. Overlook my ambivalent attitude to Judaism: conversion is not, you’ll surely agree, a practical course of action at present. Look kindly on my adherence to Pagan Stoicism: I mean no disrespect. Bless my wife, I suppose, wherever she is. I’m not sorry about the people I killed this year...
A confident tap on his shoulder interrupted Admiral Slovo’s prayers. He turned swiftly, his thumb poised over the spring release blade-loaded opal signet ring, to see that a long-haired young man was standing behind him.
`No thank you, whispered the Admiral, remaining on his knees.’
`To what?’ replied the elegant youth, puzzled.
`To whatever you are selling: yourself, your sister, choice sweetmeats, or indulgences. Whatever it may be, I’m not interested.’
`You are being offensive,’ said the youth; more hazarding a guess than making an accusation.
`And you are interrupting my prayers,’ said Slovo. `I will have to go back to the beginning now.’
`So?’ the young man replied. `Each moment spent in proximity to a Christian place of worship costs me dear. Even this brief conversation will have shortened my lifespan by perhaps one hundred of your years. Another five minutes so close to consecrated ground and I will die.’”
And a few paragraphs later when Slovo is talking with the King of the Elves, who tells him someone will shortly make contact with him: Slovo asks:
`The same youth as before, Your Majesty?’
(The King replies) `No: his visit to your... church, imparted his health; therefore he was killed.’
The King spoke these words as if it was nothing – a throwaway line, but quite frightening in its delivery.
The prayer followed by the light conversation, on the face of it, the passage appears quite innocuous, but look at the deeper meaning! There is a message there hidden in the prose – if you are able see it, please, let me know.
The novel is full of ambivalence, studying it on a deeper level; I find gives one a judicious tingling inside the mind to look into the writer’s meaning, even if you are not in accord to what he is saying.
(Dam, [3pm]the electric has gone off – it’s affecting the whole area, wonder what’s wrong, not to worry, it’ll come back when it’s ready, running my computer off the battery now and I have 18 minutes left – it’s just come back on [3.45pm] thank goodness.).
Listening to Clare de Lune, Debussy, playing the piano just now, and off to a barbecues this evening, being picked up around 5.30pm.
Roy Tomkinson: LOG NINE FROM NEW ZEALAND FROM 21st TO THE 23rd OF DECEMBER
(Monday 21st of December, time 8 am I woke)
The meal last evening went really well, my home made garlic bread, not a piece was left in the dish, they left and I was in bed my 10.30pm last night, but the programme I watched first about obese people made quite an impression on me.
The meal last evening went really well, my home made garlic bread, not a piece was left in the dish, they left and I was in bed my 10.30pm last night, but the programme I watched first about obese people made quite an impression on me.
I just can’t understand how parents can be so stupid.
The remedy is simple: if you eat more food that you burn up in calories, period, you gain weight - simple. The trouble is half the parents themselves were as fat as pigs, and the food they stuff down themselves and their kids, well, half don’t deserve to have kids.
It’s all about life style and discipline, and from what I could see they were crap at it. To make wholesome nutritional food is not expensive. For what they pay for two packets of crisps and a packet of biscuits: I, anyone, could make a healthy meal for four people with dessert. They blame anything and everything, except themselves, some examples:
“It’s my child’s genes.”
“We’re a big bones family.”
“My boy cried for more food.”
“I don’t think he eats that much.”
“He/She will not eat that type of food, I’ve tried.”
The lot is a load of nonsense, remedy, cut down on portions and learn to say no, and give them only healthy foods. If they don’t eat it let them starve, believe me, they’ll soon come round, and stop buying crisps and biscuits, and read what’s on the label before you buy food.
In the nursery school my grandson goes to, if crisps or cake, anything, that they consider or classify as not healthy food, the food is sent back to the parent with a note. And they are not allowed to eat it when at nursery – and good on them I say.
The remedy is simple: if you eat more food that you burn up in calories, period, you gain weight - simple. The trouble is half the parents themselves were as fat as pigs, and the food they stuff down themselves and their kids, well, half don’t deserve to have kids.
It’s all about life style and discipline, and from what I could see they were crap at it. To make wholesome nutritional food is not expensive. For what they pay for two packets of crisps and a packet of biscuits: I, anyone, could make a healthy meal for four people with dessert. They blame anything and everything, except themselves, some examples:
“It’s my child’s genes.”
“We’re a big bones family.”
“My boy cried for more food.”
“I don’t think he eats that much.”
“He/She will not eat that type of food, I’ve tried.”
The lot is a load of nonsense, remedy, cut down on portions and learn to say no, and give them only healthy foods. If they don’t eat it let them starve, believe me, they’ll soon come round, and stop buying crisps and biscuits, and read what’s on the label before you buy food.
In the nursery school my grandson goes to, if crisps or cake, anything, that they consider or classify as not healthy food, the food is sent back to the parent with a note. And they are not allowed to eat it when at nursery – and good on them I say.
Their philosophy: if the parents don’t like it, they tell them they can’t accept the child. It so annoys me to see parents, most I will admit, with good intentions, ruining their children’s lives with bad parenting. And their own lives as well I may add.
My grandson gets little no sweets, a treat for him is a piece of fruit, and he thrives on his diet, I say it’s down, totally, to the parents and not the child. So if anyone is fat who is reading this, just stop eating and take more exercise, and stop-stop-stop, making excuses for being overweight, because frankly, there is no excuse: you are fat because you eat too much – simple as.
(2,14pm) Just got back in the house, been down the gym and then down to the library to post my log and shoot off a few emails, I’m not doing a lot of writing, only just keeping up with my target, but there again, it is Christmas so I’m not that worried, I've made a few weeks allowance for that in any event.
The weather is gorgeous out with just that little wind to make it pleasant, and it's not too hot. I’m having beans on toast for lunch and will get a portion of chicken curry out of the freezer for dinner tonight with rice mixed with nuts and a chopped raw onion.
These are the type of meals a friend of mine, who I haven’t see for a while, would really enjoy – it is so easy to lose contact with people with whom you value.
Also, I miss my other grandchildren, the eldest especially; we have such a close loving relationship, my son and daughter again, I miss, and their families. My daughter has just become engaged, I think this is the one, I really like him, and importantly, he cares for her and she’s happy: that’s all that matters to me for her to be happy, she’s turned into a really balanced young lady, she just needs to learn to cook now.
I’m listening to Abba, “Dancing Queen,” and dancing with myself, (perhaps this sun is stronger that I think, I did go out without a cap this morning and it may have addled my brain: Dam!) and their other songs, these songs will endure, have endured, they speak out to you: always there is a message in their songs.
My grandson gets little no sweets, a treat for him is a piece of fruit, and he thrives on his diet, I say it’s down, totally, to the parents and not the child. So if anyone is fat who is reading this, just stop eating and take more exercise, and stop-stop-stop, making excuses for being overweight, because frankly, there is no excuse: you are fat because you eat too much – simple as.
(2,14pm) Just got back in the house, been down the gym and then down to the library to post my log and shoot off a few emails, I’m not doing a lot of writing, only just keeping up with my target, but there again, it is Christmas so I’m not that worried, I've made a few weeks allowance for that in any event.
The weather is gorgeous out with just that little wind to make it pleasant, and it's not too hot. I’m having beans on toast for lunch and will get a portion of chicken curry out of the freezer for dinner tonight with rice mixed with nuts and a chopped raw onion.
These are the type of meals a friend of mine, who I haven’t see for a while, would really enjoy – it is so easy to lose contact with people with whom you value.
Also, I miss my other grandchildren, the eldest especially; we have such a close loving relationship, my son and daughter again, I miss, and their families. My daughter has just become engaged, I think this is the one, I really like him, and importantly, he cares for her and she’s happy: that’s all that matters to me for her to be happy, she’s turned into a really balanced young lady, she just needs to learn to cook now.
I’m listening to Abba, “Dancing Queen,” and dancing with myself, (perhaps this sun is stronger that I think, I did go out without a cap this morning and it may have addled my brain: Dam!) and their other songs, these songs will endure, have endured, they speak out to you: always there is a message in their songs.
The one I’m listening to now is, “I believe in Angels, I have a Dream, the other has finished but a moment ago.”
Reading a novel by John Whitbourn, “Popes and Phantoms,” medieval, around the time of the Borges, they behaved like devils, perhaps this dynasty were... I don’t know what they were, but I do know they weren’t in any way Christian.
I find the writing distance, as if the writer is afraid to bring the characters close to him. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is first class, but somewhat I feel that is not enough, they appear unreal to me. A little to precise to make the characters believable – I’m half way through the novel now, hopefully, I’ll finish it today but I can’t see me changing my mind.
(5.50pm) I went out after into town again, just got back, purchased a pair of aqua shoes to wear when in the water, and some Christmas paper to wrap a few presents. Decided to have a baked potato for dinner instead of rice, should be ready around 7pm. I’ll watch the news until then, I may have a glass of wine, feeling a little tired now, I’m getting a lot of exercise out here, a lot more than back home.
The meal I really enjoyed, and then I watched the second episode of, “Lost in Austin.” I watched the first episode yesterday and the other episode was on this evening. I admit, I was sceptical at first, but after watching it, I found it quite amusing.
Miss Price, an invented character, goes into the book of “Pride and Prejudice” and meets Mr Darcy, and the other characters in the book, quite amusing; Bingley turns out to be a drunkard, Wickham turns out to be an OK guy.
With a few other twists and turns. I was particularly amusing when Miss Price says,
Reading a novel by John Whitbourn, “Popes and Phantoms,” medieval, around the time of the Borges, they behaved like devils, perhaps this dynasty were... I don’t know what they were, but I do know they weren’t in any way Christian.
I find the writing distance, as if the writer is afraid to bring the characters close to him. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is first class, but somewhat I feel that is not enough, they appear unreal to me. A little to precise to make the characters believable – I’m half way through the novel now, hopefully, I’ll finish it today but I can’t see me changing my mind.
(5.50pm) I went out after into town again, just got back, purchased a pair of aqua shoes to wear when in the water, and some Christmas paper to wrap a few presents. Decided to have a baked potato for dinner instead of rice, should be ready around 7pm. I’ll watch the news until then, I may have a glass of wine, feeling a little tired now, I’m getting a lot of exercise out here, a lot more than back home.
The meal I really enjoyed, and then I watched the second episode of, “Lost in Austin.” I watched the first episode yesterday and the other episode was on this evening. I admit, I was sceptical at first, but after watching it, I found it quite amusing.
Miss Price, an invented character, goes into the book of “Pride and Prejudice” and meets Mr Darcy, and the other characters in the book, quite amusing; Bingley turns out to be a drunkard, Wickham turns out to be an OK guy.
With a few other twists and turns. I was particularly amusing when Miss Price says,
“Jane Austin will be spinning in her grave like a cat in a spin dryer.”
When Bingley elopes with one of the Bennett daughters, not as in the book, it was Wickham, but all works out in the end.
Elizabeth going back to our present time in Hammersmith, and she comes back to a right cock up with the characters. In the end, Miss Price goes to be with Darcy, with Elizabeth going back to our current time – a rather strange ending, but well worth watching, a good laugh, bed by 11pm., must read the book again sometime.
(Tuesday 22nd December)
Elizabeth going back to our present time in Hammersmith, and she comes back to a right cock up with the characters. In the end, Miss Price goes to be with Darcy, with Elizabeth going back to our current time – a rather strange ending, but well worth watching, a good laugh, bed by 11pm., must read the book again sometime.
(Tuesday 22nd December)
(6.20pm) Up at 8 this morning, a good day, but feeling rather tired, I had intended to down the gym but stayed at home and read. Did go down town to the library around 11am, posted my log and looked at Facebook.
Back for lunch, tuna with salad, and for the rest of the afternoon read and did a little cooking, a few old bananas were getting rather `manky’ so I made a banana cake. If you want the recipe let me know, it’s really easy and cheap to make, but it doesn’t keep well, must be eaten within a few days of making.
Listening to the news now, there is still chaos in Europe and in the UK with Euro Star. The weather is quite frightening; already across Europe, they are talking in terms of nearly a 100 people dead, with parts of America not doing that much better.
The temperature here today is 22 Deg, with a little warmer tomorrow – that’s it for today, may go out later for a beer.
(Wednesday 23nd December)
Up and out a 7am to go to the gym and I trained for a good hour and a half mainly with weights, and I didn’t drink any liquids. As I was coming out my son turned up and asked if I could take him to work and fetch the boy from nursery at 5pm and for him to stay the night, and to take him to nursery tomorrow morning.
I was quite delighted about it. I didn’t go out last night after, watched some television and read a little, in bed by 11pm after a glass of wine.
(9.40am) I’ll have breakfast now, peaches in juice with a cup of coffee.
(10am) It’s funny, sheets and pillowcases out here are called “Manchester:” Why? I have no idea. I’ll try to find out. I’ll go shopping later now that I have my son’s car today, not sure yet if I’ll be fetching my daughter in law from work, I expect she’s let me know later.
Read for most of the morning and then I took a hot shower – silly really. Afterwards, I felt a little light headed, giddy even, my mind felt as if it were moving far away from me, and I had to take a rest and refocus. I have a slight headache, so I drank a few glasses of water.
I worked out hard in the gym this morning and I didn’t drink anything, (silly me) and I think I became a little dehydrated: I need to be careful and make sure I drink plenty of water during and after training, it was a particularly heavy session in the gym, one and a half hours.
I’m still not feeling totally right even now (12.20pm), still feeling a little lightheaded, but I’m coming round slowly. I’ve just had a few more glassed of water, and I’ll have something to eat and I’ll rest for a little while.
Right, I’m back to normal, just eaten a tuna sandwich, soy and linseed bread, with a quarter of an onion and a few crisps, and a piece of boiled fruitcake cooked yesterday. I must say, the cake is `fandabidosie,’ I think that’s how the word is spelt anyway. In fact, I think I’ll have another piece.
After I picked up my grandson and brought him home, I made food: sausages with potato wedges, which I cooked in the oven and sprinkled some Cajun spices over, it turned out exceptionally yummy. Later we went and fed the ducks and he was in bed my 7.20pm. I watched a little television, silly really, “The Clash of the Santas” to a glass of wine and a few pieces of chocolate, read a little and in bed by 10.45pm.
(10am) It’s funny, sheets and pillowcases out here are called “Manchester:” Why? I have no idea. I’ll try to find out. I’ll go shopping later now that I have my son’s car today, not sure yet if I’ll be fetching my daughter in law from work, I expect she’s let me know later.
Read for most of the morning and then I took a hot shower – silly really. Afterwards, I felt a little light headed, giddy even, my mind felt as if it were moving far away from me, and I had to take a rest and refocus. I have a slight headache, so I drank a few glasses of water.
I worked out hard in the gym this morning and I didn’t drink anything, (silly me) and I think I became a little dehydrated: I need to be careful and make sure I drink plenty of water during and after training, it was a particularly heavy session in the gym, one and a half hours.
I’m still not feeling totally right even now (12.20pm), still feeling a little lightheaded, but I’m coming round slowly. I’ve just had a few more glassed of water, and I’ll have something to eat and I’ll rest for a little while.
Right, I’m back to normal, just eaten a tuna sandwich, soy and linseed bread, with a quarter of an onion and a few crisps, and a piece of boiled fruitcake cooked yesterday. I must say, the cake is `fandabidosie,’ I think that’s how the word is spelt anyway. In fact, I think I’ll have another piece.
After I picked up my grandson and brought him home, I made food: sausages with potato wedges, which I cooked in the oven and sprinkled some Cajun spices over, it turned out exceptionally yummy. Later we went and fed the ducks and he was in bed my 7.20pm. I watched a little television, silly really, “The Clash of the Santas” to a glass of wine and a few pieces of chocolate, read a little and in bed by 10.45pm.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Roy Tomkinson: FROM NEW ZEALAND DAILY STEPS WALKED UP TO THE 18TH OF DECEMBER 2009
NOVEMBER, NUMBER OF STEPS WALKED PER DAY IN NEW ZEALAND
10,000 steps at my pace, 24 inches, represent a distance of 3.80 miles.
A thousand steps represent 33% of the mile. 3,000 Steps just over one mile.
Number of steps per:
Day to the nearest 100 steps
Satuday, day of arrival: First period is 8 days, includes 2 Saturdays;
Week One
14th 21,000
15th 22,700
16th 15,500
17th 17,500
18th 26,000
19th 37,000
20th 27,500
21st 14,800
Week Two
Sunday 22nd
22st 1,700
23rd 14,000
24th 13,900
25th 16,200
26th 15,200
27th 25,500
28th 20,800
Week Three
Sunday 29th
29th 15,400
30th 10,100
December
1st 5,100
2nd 5,200
3rd 17,100
4th 7,200
5th 7,200
Week Four
Sunday 6th
6th 8,300
7th 19,200
8th 24,200
9th 17,200
10th 22,500
11th 17,200
12th 19,000
Week Five
13th 13,500
14th 19,200
15th 14,600
16th 7,500
17th 7,800
18th 21,600
19th 30,300
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Roy Tomkinson: LOG EIGHT FROM NEW ZEALAND SUNDAY 20th DECEMBER, ONE DAY LOG
(Sunday 20th December)
Up at 7am, was going up my son’s house but didn’t have to in the end, so I stayed in the house, I’m having my grandson this afternoon, so it looks as if the ducks will be having another feast. The sky is blue, there are a few clouds, but the day looks to be fine.
We really do live in a wonderful world.
(11.27) I’d better get dressed and take a shower, my grandson should be here shortly.
(11.50am) He’s arrived, my grandson, a little play and he went to sleep until 2pm, a piece of toast with cheese, a little play again, and we went down to feed the ducks, his mother turned up around (3.30pm,) now I'll waiting for my son to arrive, he’s working, when he arrives I'll put pasta spirals into the hot water.
(11.50am) He’s arrived, my grandson, a little play and he went to sleep until 2pm, a piece of toast with cheese, a little play again, and we went down to feed the ducks, his mother turned up around (3.30pm,) now I'll waiting for my son to arrive, he’s working, when he arrives I'll put pasta spirals into the hot water.
The dessert is in the fridge, all done.
It’s sunny out with a few white clouds, but it’s rather windy outside just now. Having an easy day today, reading, talking, listening and watching the television, and of course, playing with my grandson, and slowly, I’m becoming worn out – but it’s fun.
A dessert tip: if you use pineapple and kiwi fruit in jelly it doesn’t set that well, I know, I did it earlier today, but by placing it in the freezer for a little while it has done the trick, and by covering the top with strawberries. Also, I’ll placed a few slices of peaches on top, and I'll it serve with fresh cream – job done.
(6pm) Watching the news, and I see Europe and America are having a rough time with the weather, snow, rain, and general mayhem, glad I’m out here enjoying the mild weather. I know the UK has also had a difficult time with the weather, even the Channel Rail connection with France is finding it difficult to stay in operation, not a good omen for the future.
I’ll be having the evening meal shortly. My son will be late tonight, so I’ll have the evening meal now and he can have his when he gets here.
Meal over, they stayed a while and left to put the boy to bed, then I watch the television, there was a programme on about obese children. Wow, Christmas is creeping closer and closer, how strange I find it, normally it's cooking and planning, but not this year.
Roy Tomkinson: LOG SEVEN FROM NEW ZEALAND: 19th of December, ONE DAY ONLY LOG
(Saturday 19th December)
Up at 8.10, didn’t go for the Indian meal after, cancelled – didn’t feel in the mood to eat and talk, but I did go into town later, 9.30pm I left the house and back by 11.30pm and had a few beers, Tai blond, is BEER I like best. Tired this morning, I did a lot of exercise yesterday, gym, swimming, and I walked 30,300 steps, around 12 miles. Will take it a little easier today, perhaps I’ll do a little cooking later.
Invented a great receipt, I’ll share my idea with you; I’ve called it:-
Scrumptious Tomkinson Casserole (I'm vain in case you were wondering)
Scrumptious Tomkinson Casserole (I'm vain in case you were wondering)
Ingredients:
1. one packet of sausage, remove casings, (good quality sausage, beer or pork)
2. ½ cup of chopped shallots
3. 3 garlic cloves, minced or shopped fine
4. ½ cut of chopped drained oil-packed sun dried tomatoes (any dried tomatoes will do)
5. Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
6. 5 to 6 eggs according to size
7. 3 egg yolks
8. 1 cup of milk, full fat milk
9. 1 cup of whipping cream
10. Two cups grated mozzarella cheese, cheddar is just as good (tried both)
11. ½ teaspoon of salt (don’t over salt, be careful more can be added later)
Method:
Preheat oven to 1800 C Butter a (about) 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish. Sauté the sausage in a medium non-stick pan over a medium heat until brown and cooked through (don’t rush this) breaking the sausage with a folk into small pieces.
Later, add the chopped shallots and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and 2Tbsp. Parsley. Spread the mixture from the pan in the prepared dish and the first part is complete. I do this a day before I need it and keep in it in the refrigerator – don’t forget to cover the top.
Stage Two:
Whisk eggs, plus egg yolks, and half the whipping cream (1/2 a cup) with three quarters of the grated cheese, add the salt into the bowl and blend well (important, the lightness makes the disk so mixing well will pay dividends) and pour the mix over the sausage mixture which you prepared earlier.
Sprinkle remaining ½ cut of cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley over the top. Bake, don’t cover the top, until top of casserole is golden brown (tip: insert a knife into the centre and if it comes out clean, the dish is cooked). Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
I make a great winter warmer dish, or can be a scrumptious breakfast disk with fresh wholemeal bread.
Try it; it’s easy to make.
2. ½ cup of chopped shallots
3. 3 garlic cloves, minced or shopped fine
4. ½ cut of chopped drained oil-packed sun dried tomatoes (any dried tomatoes will do)
5. Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
6. 5 to 6 eggs according to size
7. 3 egg yolks
8. 1 cup of milk, full fat milk
9. 1 cup of whipping cream
10. Two cups grated mozzarella cheese, cheddar is just as good (tried both)
11. ½ teaspoon of salt (don’t over salt, be careful more can be added later)
Method:
Preheat oven to 1800 C Butter a (about) 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish. Sauté the sausage in a medium non-stick pan over a medium heat until brown and cooked through (don’t rush this) breaking the sausage with a folk into small pieces.
Later, add the chopped shallots and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and 2Tbsp. Parsley. Spread the mixture from the pan in the prepared dish and the first part is complete. I do this a day before I need it and keep in it in the refrigerator – don’t forget to cover the top.
Stage Two:
Whisk eggs, plus egg yolks, and half the whipping cream (1/2 a cup) with three quarters of the grated cheese, add the salt into the bowl and blend well (important, the lightness makes the disk so mixing well will pay dividends) and pour the mix over the sausage mixture which you prepared earlier.
Sprinkle remaining ½ cut of cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley over the top. Bake, don’t cover the top, until top of casserole is golden brown (tip: insert a knife into the centre and if it comes out clean, the dish is cooked). Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.
I make a great winter warmer dish, or can be a scrumptious breakfast disk with fresh wholemeal bread.
Try it; it’s easy to make.
(11am) off out now.
I got back from town at 1.30 had lunch and read a paper which I had bought, together with a few other food items mainly fresh fruit, but I did buy a few packets of lean mince. It really is quite inexpensive to live out here.
The weather is glorious outside, as I write I can hear the birds singing. I just melted some butter, a few cloves of crushed garlic and a little bit of fresh mint: the mint I planted in a pot outside just after I moved into the house and it is flourishing, as is the basil I planted at the same time. I’ll use it to make garlic bread tomorrow, I only have four for dinner tomorrow, two can’t make it, no worries.
I got back from town at 1.30 had lunch and read a paper which I had bought, together with a few other food items mainly fresh fruit, but I did buy a few packets of lean mince. It really is quite inexpensive to live out here.
The weather is glorious outside, as I write I can hear the birds singing. I just melted some butter, a few cloves of crushed garlic and a little bit of fresh mint: the mint I planted in a pot outside just after I moved into the house and it is flourishing, as is the basil I planted at the same time. I’ll use it to make garlic bread tomorrow, I only have four for dinner tomorrow, two can’t make it, no worries.
MY OBSERVATION
Walking around the area, taking notice of nature, seeing its beauty, listening to its sounds and rhythms, started me to wonder just how the picture is put together with such symmetry... Coming home last night the sky was full of stars, and it set me to wonder about its randomness, and how many people would have us believe it is just a set number of random acts without reason, logic, or coherence – nothing but an accident. Everything is thrown into the pot – “toil and trouble, bubble, bubble” - by the three witches from Macbeth, and out of which comes this wonder symmetrical universe.
A random act the atheist would have us believe, this is the modern world, science is now the new KING: “there is no God. Grow up, get real, it’s not cool anymore,” they shout, the modern world has no room for silly mentality, and superstitious mumbo-jumbo.
Any yet, when I wrote my last manuscript I did a lot of research into Tran humanism and the structure of our universe, and our place in it.
STICK WITH ME; DON’T TURNED YOURSELF OFF JUST NOW.
If I get a little over technical please forgive me my immoderation. What I write next you may have to read a few time before the message actually sinks in; it took me months of research to find the answer. Keep an open mind, so here goes. This is what I found out.
My view used to be, enjoy your life, it’s the only one you’ll ever likely to have; there is probably no God, this short life is all we ever get. My stubborn mind, like most, demands absolute proof: if there is more, you must show me! For me: I demand incontrovertible unequivocal proof there is a hand at work within Creation.
But the rub is raw for me; there is an irreconcilability that gnaws inside of my mind, and won’t be stilled: how can I account for the physical universe, the biological world, the nature of humankind, without remedy to a Creator?
What is the likelihood of us being here merely by chance?
I’ll use Probability Theory and science to answer my own question. For the first time, in our enlightened age of science, I can quantify part of the answer in problematic mathematical terms.
The result of this logic on me, I find, is quite profound.
PLEASE, YOU MUST STAY WITH ME. DON’T JUMP SHIP JUST YET.
I’ll start with the physical universe; cosmology informs us that the universe is sophisticated and extremely finely balanced. Its density, back just before the first moment before the big bang was critically balanced to better that one part in one billion billion billion billion – in other words, an impossibility it could be BUT a random act. The whole of what we call the universe started as an atom of minute size and is still expanding over distances our minds are incapable of comprehending.
If it were just a fraction denser, the whole lot would have collapsed again back into nothing: a fraction less dense and the lot would have evaporated into nothing – no planets, no stars, no earth: nothing - a blank page.
Therefore, all the known forces of nature are finely balanced relative to each other, a little this, or that way, no protons, and, a little the other, no neutrons. Tweak another way and there are no particles. A little to either side and we are left with only hydrogen. What I’m saying: This balance is all but perfect.
Now the crux: if the universe were truly random, that fine balance would not happen – it is formed as a symphony is written in the mind of the composer, one bar at a time – there is no randomness, and the ear is exposed to a beautiful sound. The music would sound chaotic without a planned structure. No one would dare say that Beethoven’s Symphony was but a random sound! Any yet, some believe something infinitely more complex (more complex to the squared power of a million millions) in structure is but random.
The only way round this, for the sceptically minded, is for them to postulate that a vast number of other universes exist, and our earth randomly came into existence, somehow, just on a whim. It pulsated into existence out of chaos, and ours is the only one, which has the right value combination for molecules to sustain life and for humans to evolve. All the rest are structures of chaos and random actions, which is clearly not the case. Just looking at the stars will tell you that is not so. Everything has a finite life span, from us humans to the stars themselves, they are born, live out their lives, and die seemingly in chaos, but it is not so, for out of this seeming chaos the destruction itself stimulates new birth, nothing random there.
Ah, you say, Darwin, there the answer lies, but the more we find out the less that proves to be the case. The biological world is constructed around amazingly complex molecules like proteins, DNA, RNA etc.
Each structure reads as if a sentence from a novel, one leading neatly to the other, from sentence to paragraph, to page, chapter, book, volume, library, and the evolution can be traced back billions of years to its origin. So the sceptic says, case proven, the comparison is clear: wait long enough and the precursor to a protein would naturally self assemble, as if my magic! The magic dragon goes puff and there it is!
Let’s look at probability theory and go into mathematics to see if the theory can be substantiated.
It is said, give enough monkey enough typewriters and eventually you’ll have another Shakespeare. Yet, our euro lottery, with just seven numbers, has odds of around 100 million to one. So extrapolating these odds, by adding only one other number, the odds increase by a factor of ten.
Take the words “The Encyclopedia Britannica” 25 words with three capitals and two spaces. The odds of randomly typing these words correctly are incalcable. Not even if a billion monkeys typing on a billion typewriters for the life time of the universe’s existence would they come up the these three words in the above order. Yet, this problem is dwarfed by that of constructing, by random chance, a single protein like nitrogenise.
Nitrogenise is the catalyst that splits the bonds in a nitrogen gas molecule to make soluble nitrates. It is the only known route that the plant world has discovered to `fix’ nitrogen without which, they could not exist.
It comprises 25.000 atoms with around 2000 amino acid residues. These represent the letters, “The Encyclopedia Britannica” in the above example. The random probability for that protein to exist is - one part to 10: raised to the power of 2,600 – an impossibility, and we are talking here of just one variable. Even if every cubic millimetre of the entire universe were crammed with the essential components, one of these molecules could not self-assemble randomly over the life of the universe – not even in a vast number of universes, and that is just one protein.
Now the shocker: the human body uses about 100,000 proteins, (Do you get the picture? And I’m using tried and tested mathematical formulae to show the odds). Notwithstanding, the mechanism needed to make these proteins are themselves unbelievably complex. The human ribosomes, which does just a part of that process, consists of more than 80 different proteins.
The template for each protein is a gene structure encoded in DNA, a code that transforms and translates genes to protein. A vast number of codes are possible, but a computer simulation will show that this code (DNA) is apparently the least error prone code of them all, at the very least, the symmetry is better than one in 100 million. In other words, inversely, the perfected odds are those of winning the lottery every time you buy a ticket, hardly random, in fact, an impossibility.
PLEASE, ALMOST THERE - STICK WITH ME.
DNA itself uses machinery to replicate and is reliant on protein to do the job and to protect it from decomposition. The cell in turn is a marvel of complexity – a miniature city, (worlds within worlds come to mind) with information systems, power systems, transportation systems, refuse collection factories, ambulances, police and gatekeepers (get the picture!)
Each human cell has half a million ribosomes, and to pick just one of the 100,000 proteins: haemoglobin is produced by ribosomes in bone marrow at a rate of 100 million million-protein molecules every second, hope you caught that, `every second.’
The biological world is one improbability after another, like the physical universe, it is unbelievably finely balances and we have no idea how even the simplest elements came into existence, and by calculating probabilities, it can be shown, there is no randomness – so what is really out there?
THERE, I HOPE THAT WASN’T TOO PAINFUL FOR YOU – LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! I’ve been battling for the answer for years.
Went out last night and had my Indian Meal just two of us – couldn’t really put it off any longer, no wine, I wasn’t in the mood in the restaurant, the meal was exceptional, and paid for. But I drank water, but I was back in the house by 10pm, didn’t wish to go out on the town, no offence to anyone, and I walked home admiring the stars.
Walking around the area, taking notice of nature, seeing its beauty, listening to its sounds and rhythms, started me to wonder just how the picture is put together with such symmetry... Coming home last night the sky was full of stars, and it set me to wonder about its randomness, and how many people would have us believe it is just a set number of random acts without reason, logic, or coherence – nothing but an accident. Everything is thrown into the pot – “toil and trouble, bubble, bubble” - by the three witches from Macbeth, and out of which comes this wonder symmetrical universe.
A random act the atheist would have us believe, this is the modern world, science is now the new KING: “there is no God. Grow up, get real, it’s not cool anymore,” they shout, the modern world has no room for silly mentality, and superstitious mumbo-jumbo.
Any yet, when I wrote my last manuscript I did a lot of research into Tran humanism and the structure of our universe, and our place in it.
STICK WITH ME; DON’T TURNED YOURSELF OFF JUST NOW.
If I get a little over technical please forgive me my immoderation. What I write next you may have to read a few time before the message actually sinks in; it took me months of research to find the answer. Keep an open mind, so here goes. This is what I found out.
My view used to be, enjoy your life, it’s the only one you’ll ever likely to have; there is probably no God, this short life is all we ever get. My stubborn mind, like most, demands absolute proof: if there is more, you must show me! For me: I demand incontrovertible unequivocal proof there is a hand at work within Creation.
But the rub is raw for me; there is an irreconcilability that gnaws inside of my mind, and won’t be stilled: how can I account for the physical universe, the biological world, the nature of humankind, without remedy to a Creator?
What is the likelihood of us being here merely by chance?
I’ll use Probability Theory and science to answer my own question. For the first time, in our enlightened age of science, I can quantify part of the answer in problematic mathematical terms.
The result of this logic on me, I find, is quite profound.
PLEASE, YOU MUST STAY WITH ME. DON’T JUMP SHIP JUST YET.
I’ll start with the physical universe; cosmology informs us that the universe is sophisticated and extremely finely balanced. Its density, back just before the first moment before the big bang was critically balanced to better that one part in one billion billion billion billion – in other words, an impossibility it could be BUT a random act. The whole of what we call the universe started as an atom of minute size and is still expanding over distances our minds are incapable of comprehending.
If it were just a fraction denser, the whole lot would have collapsed again back into nothing: a fraction less dense and the lot would have evaporated into nothing – no planets, no stars, no earth: nothing - a blank page.
Therefore, all the known forces of nature are finely balanced relative to each other, a little this, or that way, no protons, and, a little the other, no neutrons. Tweak another way and there are no particles. A little to either side and we are left with only hydrogen. What I’m saying: This balance is all but perfect.
Now the crux: if the universe were truly random, that fine balance would not happen – it is formed as a symphony is written in the mind of the composer, one bar at a time – there is no randomness, and the ear is exposed to a beautiful sound. The music would sound chaotic without a planned structure. No one would dare say that Beethoven’s Symphony was but a random sound! Any yet, some believe something infinitely more complex (more complex to the squared power of a million millions) in structure is but random.
The only way round this, for the sceptically minded, is for them to postulate that a vast number of other universes exist, and our earth randomly came into existence, somehow, just on a whim. It pulsated into existence out of chaos, and ours is the only one, which has the right value combination for molecules to sustain life and for humans to evolve. All the rest are structures of chaos and random actions, which is clearly not the case. Just looking at the stars will tell you that is not so. Everything has a finite life span, from us humans to the stars themselves, they are born, live out their lives, and die seemingly in chaos, but it is not so, for out of this seeming chaos the destruction itself stimulates new birth, nothing random there.
Ah, you say, Darwin, there the answer lies, but the more we find out the less that proves to be the case. The biological world is constructed around amazingly complex molecules like proteins, DNA, RNA etc.
Each structure reads as if a sentence from a novel, one leading neatly to the other, from sentence to paragraph, to page, chapter, book, volume, library, and the evolution can be traced back billions of years to its origin. So the sceptic says, case proven, the comparison is clear: wait long enough and the precursor to a protein would naturally self assemble, as if my magic! The magic dragon goes puff and there it is!
Let’s look at probability theory and go into mathematics to see if the theory can be substantiated.
It is said, give enough monkey enough typewriters and eventually you’ll have another Shakespeare. Yet, our euro lottery, with just seven numbers, has odds of around 100 million to one. So extrapolating these odds, by adding only one other number, the odds increase by a factor of ten.
Take the words “The Encyclopedia Britannica” 25 words with three capitals and two spaces. The odds of randomly typing these words correctly are incalcable. Not even if a billion monkeys typing on a billion typewriters for the life time of the universe’s existence would they come up the these three words in the above order. Yet, this problem is dwarfed by that of constructing, by random chance, a single protein like nitrogenise.
Nitrogenise is the catalyst that splits the bonds in a nitrogen gas molecule to make soluble nitrates. It is the only known route that the plant world has discovered to `fix’ nitrogen without which, they could not exist.
It comprises 25.000 atoms with around 2000 amino acid residues. These represent the letters, “The Encyclopedia Britannica” in the above example. The random probability for that protein to exist is - one part to 10: raised to the power of 2,600 – an impossibility, and we are talking here of just one variable. Even if every cubic millimetre of the entire universe were crammed with the essential components, one of these molecules could not self-assemble randomly over the life of the universe – not even in a vast number of universes, and that is just one protein.
Now the shocker: the human body uses about 100,000 proteins, (Do you get the picture? And I’m using tried and tested mathematical formulae to show the odds). Notwithstanding, the mechanism needed to make these proteins are themselves unbelievably complex. The human ribosomes, which does just a part of that process, consists of more than 80 different proteins.
The template for each protein is a gene structure encoded in DNA, a code that transforms and translates genes to protein. A vast number of codes are possible, but a computer simulation will show that this code (DNA) is apparently the least error prone code of them all, at the very least, the symmetry is better than one in 100 million. In other words, inversely, the perfected odds are those of winning the lottery every time you buy a ticket, hardly random, in fact, an impossibility.
PLEASE, ALMOST THERE - STICK WITH ME.
DNA itself uses machinery to replicate and is reliant on protein to do the job and to protect it from decomposition. The cell in turn is a marvel of complexity – a miniature city, (worlds within worlds come to mind) with information systems, power systems, transportation systems, refuse collection factories, ambulances, police and gatekeepers (get the picture!)
Each human cell has half a million ribosomes, and to pick just one of the 100,000 proteins: haemoglobin is produced by ribosomes in bone marrow at a rate of 100 million million-protein molecules every second, hope you caught that, `every second.’
The biological world is one improbability after another, like the physical universe, it is unbelievably finely balances and we have no idea how even the simplest elements came into existence, and by calculating probabilities, it can be shown, there is no randomness – so what is really out there?
THERE, I HOPE THAT WASN’T TOO PAINFUL FOR YOU – LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! I’ve been battling for the answer for years.
Went out last night and had my Indian Meal just two of us – couldn’t really put it off any longer, no wine, I wasn’t in the mood in the restaurant, the meal was exceptional, and paid for. But I drank water, but I was back in the house by 10pm, didn’t wish to go out on the town, no offence to anyone, and I walked home admiring the stars.
Read a little and watched a film (I don’t usually do that) on my laptop, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” with Brendon Frazer. I borrowed it from the library, and it was in 3D, glasses supplied, with a chilled glass of white wine: New Zealand Pinot Gris from the North Island, Hawkes Bay, Montana, a good wine, this wine, the Pinot Gris part, brings back good memories, 12.10am in bed.
ONE DAY LOG
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