A Norwegian film about what can happen when kids mess about on railways…

Celebrate the month of fasting… with daily chocolates!

Story here.

Ok… so I know young children are exempt from fasting, but I’m sure chocolate isn’t really inkeeping with the spirit.

So, thanks to someone who shall remain nameless*, my aim to reach the highest point in every county of Great Britain has evolved slightly.

In a typical case of being presented with a stupid idea which might just work, I have been incited not only to reach the highest point of each county, but also to juggle five balls when I arrive there.

This does mean that I’ll have to revisit Snowdon, Kinder Scout, Howden Edge** and Bardon Hill… but, well, three of them were so enjoyable I’ll happily do them again, and Bardon Hill while not terribly exciting is at least nearby and easy to climb.

I believe video evidence is required too. We’ll see about that.

Note that officially, a juggle is defined as two catches of each ball - so that’s ten catches with five balls. I thought I’d state this in advance so there are no disputes after I return with my evidence requiring yet another return trip.

* unless she would like to own up herself
** which, it seems, I never really properly blogged

In my Coordinates post, I did - of course - mean 69.4 statute miles between parallels of latitude. You can’t get anything past my dad. Not if it’s related to navigation, anyway.

That is all.

Ok… that’s not all… I have to say, I’d recommend doing CBT even if you’re never intending to ride a motorbike. What a great morning/day out! Early session of classroom stuff, then learning to handle the bike at slow speed, use the gears and perform emergency stops… then out onto the road for a two hour ride under the guidance of a skilled instructor. I’m hooked.

Oh… and my instructor couldn’t believe I haven’t ridden before. So that was nice. A bit like the time I went to my first ever Swedish lesson and the tutor said “So… how long did you live in Sweden for?”

I was chatting to a nurse today, and she came out with the quote:

If there’s one thing nursing’s taught me, it’s never ride a motorbike ( or go up a ladder, or smoke).

Well, I don’t smoke, and I refuse to go up ladders, so two out of three ain’t bad. I wonder if the parentheses weight the latters’ contribution in any way, or if they were merely there as contextual markers.

Wish me luck, CBT tomorrow.

I also ended up making a £5 wager at lunch time with a colleague who doesn’t believe I will ride a motorbike around the north end of the Gulf of Bothnia. Another colleague’s quote:

He doesn’t know you very well, does he?

No he doesn’t. You will owe me five pounds, Nick.

Yesterday, shortly after I arrived home from work, a chap came to the door. I answered and he said he had a parcel for me and he’d been trying to see if I was in all day and he’s staying near the rectory, and since I’m in, he’ll go and get it. I thanked him and closed the door briefly.

Now, this chap had a strong accent, and it all happened very quickly, so as I started to piece the information together, I realised that the rectory is quite a long way away… maybe ten minutes walk - it’s certainly not a neighbouring house or the next street.

I first thought I must have misheard. But then after 15 minutes when he didn’t return, I figured that he really must have meant the rectory - there’s a hotel nearby, so that makes sense, but how on earth did a parcel for me end up getting delivered over there?

It all became clear when the chap returned. He’d been gone about 20 minutes - I’d almost started to think the whole thing was in my imagination.

Anyway, he handed me the parcel and the bit of paper with everyone’s deliveries on for me to sign, having walked back to near the rectory, picking up my parcel from his delivery van and walking back to give it to me. He’d been passing, off-duty and thought on the off-chance he might catch me in.

Man from TNT Express, I salute you! To his boss… keep him, and give him a bonus!

10 points and a gold star.

Did the best thing in the world land on my doormat this morning?
Yes it did.
Go on then, Mr. Cleverclogs, tell us what that thing is.
I shall… it was this video…

Thanks Jan + Ned.

Although I think I might be a bit squeamish… “Veterinary procedures demonstrated by [...]“

The Google Maps API is Fun To Play With™

You can create your own custom maps with points, lines, options, popups, all sorts. When I finally make the trip up to the North Cape, I’m definitely going to make something which will take some sort of input from the field (text messages or something) and give live updates. It will look something like this.

Unlike my previous made-up question, this is a real one from the driving theory test:

Before starting a journey it is wise to plan your route. How can you do this?
Mark one answer

a: Look at a map.
b: Contact your local garage.
c: Look in your vehicle handbook.
d: Check your vehicle registration document.

Yes… I know that technically, you can ask for directions at the local garage, but vehicle handbook? registration document?