Mushroom Cloud over Newtownards

What kind of cloud is this?  Answers please...

To be fair, I was planning on taking a few pictures and properly blogging the pre-christmas day-trip to Belfast, but the 3:30 am start, kind of knocked the edge off the day.  It was great to meet the outlaws, and cousins and take some time out.  That was one fantastic breakfast!

Then back on the boat around 7 pm and home just after midnight. Thank you Radio 4 for keeping me awake with "Brain of Britain" then Whispering Bob Harris did the last shift with me.  Excellent Tunes.

So this is the cloud over Northern Ireland pictured from the ferry. That's the photo I took.  :)

HSS

Another in the series of "Ferries I have travelled on". The HSS from Stranraer to Belfast was the fastest way to cross the north channel for some time, until they discovered that you could run it on 3/4 power, save 25% of the fuel, and take 30 minutes longer. The captive passengers then spent 15% more in the shops, and drank 20% more coffee. So ended the days of fast ferries to Belfast.

The new port at Cairnryan has now opened, and I wait to see it working properly. It does seem strange that when the boat docks from Belfast there are no Stena Staff around to meet and greet you.

Isn't it a good job that the carpark cash machines weren't broken and you could easily validate your parking ticket, and leave without having to get security staff to manually open the barrier to let out all the passengers.
 

After all, if that happened, you might find that customers decided to try an alternative carrier for their next crossing.

Luckily that didn't happen.

Or did it?

Advent in 2011

Excitement is building in the house. The annual chocolate convention is about to start. 

There should be no problem getting them going in the morning for the next 24 days, especially if I make sure that there are fewer chocolates than people in the house!  

It's a cunning plan, and I doubt it will work!

 

Clearing out the cupboards.

This is not an exciting time of the year.  That starts next week....

I am clearing out some bits and pieces from the attic. Hoping to use a well known auction site to find new homes for some old possessions.

Who remembers this sort of thing?

Lego 6524 Snowplough

I'll miss the little guys.

Stirling High sings children in need

In case you have missed it, here's the contribution by some of Stirling High's singers to the Children-In-Need cause. 

Apologies to readers from overseas: You might not be able to see the content.

I particularly liked the ipod on the stairs. I remember "helping" to make one just exactly like that!

This posting will only be around until I notice that the BBC has deleted the content.

Driving Home for Christmas?

Watch out for these guys on the road. A new headlight can cost over £100!  Can you guess how I know that fact?

Del Monte

What was the man from Del Monte thinking? Here we are in 2011, a mere 10 years after the best before date on this tin of quality "Pear Halves" (in juice by the way - not syrup!) and there has been some leakage from the seams. 

I no longer have the receipt!

My mum and Crail harbour

While out with Mum for a stroll round Crail, I received a text from No 1 child: "Just to say I have blown up Granny's electric. Awaiting your arrival. X"

Don't you just love the kiddies!