↓
 

Blasdale Home

The web home of Steve and Rosemary

  • Home
  • Picture albums
    • 2020s
      • 2020 Gallery
      • 2021 Gallery
    • 2010s
      • 2010 Gallery
      • 2011 Gallery
      • 2012 Gallery
      • 2013 Gallery
      • 2014 Gallery
      • 2015 Gallery
      • 2016 Gallery
      • 2017 Gallery
      • 2018 Gallery
      • 2019 Gallery
    • 2000s
      • 2000 Gallery
      • 2001 Gallery
      • 2002 Gallery
      • 2003 Gallery
      • 2004 Gallery
      • 2005 Gallery
      • 2006 Gallery
      • 2007 Gallery
      • 2008 Gallery
      • 2009 Gallery
    • 1990s
      • 1992 Gallery
      • 1993 Gallery
      • 1994 Gallery
      • 1995 Gallery
      • 1996 Gallery
      • 1997 Gallery
      • 1998 Gallery
      • 1999 Gallery
    • 1980s
    • 1970s
    • 1960s
  • Tag Cloud
  • Blog
  • Blasdale Genealogy
  • Cambridge
  • Subscribe
Home - Page 84 << 1 2 … 82 83 84 85 86 … 139 140 >>

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

The new kitchen, stage one the walls.

Blasdale Home Posted on October 17, 2008 by SteveApril 4, 2020

We have embarked on a new kitchen for the house. The other had been in the house for 20 years, the doors were beginning to break at the hinges, and the drawers were closing with difficulty.

Another picture of the kitchen.The kitchen walls after they had been stripped.

First we chose the kitchen. In this time of recession you would have thought people would have been falling over each other to do you a kitchen. No. Two companies sent out people to look at the existing room, measured up and discussed the design. Weeks later, and despite nagging neither had produced a design or estimate. Eventually we went to Magnet who came out, measured up and designed the kitchen in front of our eyes. They would have installed it, but we were already down the path of independent contractors. The savings made by getting the kitchen at trade prices were quite substantial. Delivery was quick. Now the kitchen is being installed.

Wednesday and Thursday the old kitchen was ripped out, the walls had their cladding removed and the first fixing of the electrics was completed.

The plaster board

Friday the walls were dry-lined (we’ve got to do our green aka economy bit) and plastered.

Delivery

The delivery of the kitchen also took place early in the morning. Really quite neat in checking all the goods had been delivered, the driver ran a scanner over all the boxes in the house, this produced a list of missing items. So back to the lorry to search for the items. Eventually a complete list of items were accounted for, which were then signed for on the scanner.

Posted in home | Leave a reply

Norwich

Blasdale Home Posted on October 11, 2008 by SteveOctober 18, 2008

Rosemary and I went to Norwich for the weekend to see Ann and Mike.  We visited Nick and Ali, and saw the great work they have been doing on their house. Much remodelling, removal of walls, moving staircases and a complete replaster of all the walls. Truely quite a change to the house and a really excellent change.  Their children had changed too!  Both much taller.

Sunday was spent on Mike’s PC sorting out the pictures and re-loading the electronic picture frame we gave them.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a reply

Bristol

Blasdale Home Posted on October 8, 2008 by SteveOctober 17, 2008

Wednesday 8th, just back from Bristol after spending three days working for a Supermarket. Not really much to report about the place. Stayed in the hotel for the two evenings, internet access was bad as I was on the wrong side of the hotel. Also spent a fortune there on the hotel bill, really Bristol could do with a few more hotels to bring down the cost a little.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a reply

The last month

Blasdale Home Posted on October 2, 2008 by SteveOctober 2, 2008

I realise I have not written anything in my blog for a whole month. Well I have been alive and awake, but not doing a great deal. Work wise it has been a bit quite, some trips to Bristol, and a couple of days at Sheffield Hallam university helping them with their system.

The weather has been appalling this September, with rain and more rain, though it did clear up towards the end of the month and allowed us to go to the Cambridge University Alumni bash in brilliant sunlight. Rosemary has copious notes of what went on there, so I am always hopeful she will write something for the blog. We even visited the Vet school out on the West site. They have just installed an Xray Radiation machine for cancer treatment, to replace their old aging one. The facilities look so good I would be well pleased to be treated there. Another thing I learnt at the Cambridge vet school was they use two cat wards, the ward is used for two weeks, and then the second ward is used while the first is disinfected, cleaned and rested. Maybe this should be done with human wards instead of closing the spare wards for good.

We have been to a few National Trust places, and I will be posting some pictures on the web for that, and for the alumni weekend.

Ah well I hope work picks up for the rest of the year, though I do seem to have several holidays on the horizon. We have the usual week in Guernsey, and a longer week in Spain. Looking forward to both of the holidays, but worried about the lack of Internet access in Spain.

Posted in Buckinghamshire, home, work | Leave a reply

Robin’s 50th

Blasdale Home Posted on August 30, 2008 by RosemaryDecember 1, 2020

Saturday 30th August saw us complete with tent at a party to celebrate Robin’s 50th birthday. 

How he and Tessa managed to pick the one decent summer’s day & evening, just shows the calibre of people they are.  We could write it up, but John has already done so – http://www.curdhome.co.uk/2008/hog-roast-blues/ – but at least Steve got to take one or two piccies – https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/2008-picture-gallery/2008-robins-50th-birthday/.

We woke early Sunday to a lovely view over a misty field which Steve rather ruined with his mutterings about “damn birds are all tweating too loudly” (no double glazing in a tent), but at least he cooked bacon rolls & fried eggs.  

Now just about everyone must know that Robin has reached his half century.

How can they top that one for his 60th?  We’ll report back in 2018.

Posted in Buckinghamshire, culture, holiday, home | 1 Reply

Country Landowners Association Game Fair

Blasdale Home Posted on July 26, 2008 by SteveSeptember 1, 2008

Country Landowners Association Game Fair Saturday 26th July. We visited the Game Fair at Blenheim Palace on the Saturday. Fairly early start and no real problems getting in. Previous day we had heard of people turning around and not making it because of all the traffic.

The day was very hot and sunny, the place was packed with stalls selling various country goods from posh tables, wood stoves, wood central heating, wellies, guns, and the latest 4 x 4. Notable exception was that Landrover did not have a stand.

Took a look at the birds of prey, and watched some flying with Jemima Parry-Jones.

Spent a considerable time down by the river watching the dogs retrieve their dummies. Later met up with Ann and Chris, we were going to see Chris perform with his gun and dog, but alas the stand had finished.

Very pleasant meal (BBQ steak) with Ann and Chris in the camping site attached to the Gane Fair. Left after dark, took a little while to find the car parked on its own in a dark and large field. No queues leaving at 11.00pm

[jalbum_iframe_album:http://www.blasdale.com/pictures/2008/CLAGameFair/index.html,100%,600px]

Posted in culture, wildlife | Leave a reply

Edinburgh after dark

Blasdale Home Posted on July 24, 2008 by SteveDecember 1, 2020

I don’t believe I will be in Edinburgh for a few weeks now, so I took the opportunity to take a few pictures around the tourist sites, and Whistle Binkies the music bar.

https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/2008-picture-gallery/2008-edinburgh/

Posted in music, work | Leave a reply

New pictures of Tuscany

Blasdale Home Posted on July 22, 2008 by SteveDecember 1, 2020

I have added the pictures we took of Tuscany to my website. Alas have not placed comments on the pictures yet.

https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/2008-picture-gallery/2008-tuscany/

I have also added the pictures of our trip with the Berkshire branch of the Cambridge Society to Dorset. There are some rather nice pictures of the Haynes Motor museum, especially the pictures of the cars in the Red Room.

https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/2008-picture-gallery/2008-cambridgeshire-society/

A reminder for the old folk, when you look at the small pictures (called thumbnails), and you find one you like, then click on it for a larger version.

Another neat feature, is when looking at the large pictures, click the right hand gold button which says slide. You will now get a slide show, each picture changing to the next after 4 seconds.

Posted in website updates | Leave a reply

Gonville and Caius Alumni

Blasdale Home Posted on June 14, 2008 by SteveJune 17, 2008

This Saturday was the Gonville and Caius benefactors lunch. We had booked to attend. Drove there by a round about route as we had to pick up my 10mm-20mm Sigma lens from the coach company. I had left it on the mini bus the previous weekend while visiting Richard and Andrea. Many panic phone calls on the Monday to ensure it was found before some one walked off with it.

So we went to Cambridge via the M25, and M11, and Stansted airport. Still arrived in time to park in the Park and Ride, partake of a cup of coffee in Cafe Nero and then have some bubbly at Caius.

Day remained sunny, though it did threaten to rain, and both Rosemary and I are sure we heard some thunder. Food was good, speech was rousing, still 75% of the alumni are yet to give to Gonville and Cauis, but by British standards the college was doing quite well.

Rosemary and I visited the library and saw some archive material, including the two charters for the college. All kinds of odds and ends, including a 17th Century notebook on the coal purchases for the college.

Back to catch the bus where we had to wait 35 minutes for it to arrive. If we are to be enticed away from our cars or parking in the centre, then the public transport has got to get much better. Cambridge Council has got to do better with its buses. I for one will never park in the Cambridge Park and Ride ever again. It spoilt a really nice day. Made it back home in time for a pint in the P&A with George and Annie.

New cooker wired into the mains. Again not as easy as it seems. Badly designed connections would not take the size of cable. Connector is right at ground level making it hard to connect, and the sharp edges of the hatch caused severe loss of blood. Definitely a down turn in design, the previous cooker was a doddle to connect with proper side bolts under which to connect and trap the wire. Electrolux needs to go back to the drawing board. [Ed’s note:  Steve is to undergo Grumpy Old Man syndrome management/minimization training very shortly before it is too late.]

The new Electrolux replaces an old electric Jackson, bought as a temporary measure more than 20 years ago and still working, and also the once-loved, oil-fired Esse range, which was bought a mere nine years ago and doesn’t work; useless thing. 

Posted in culture, home | Leave a reply

Fire alarms at 1am

Blasdale Home Posted on June 12, 2008 by SteveJune 12, 2008

I have been working at a Grocers in Bristol this week. The weather started off fine, a nice sunny day as I drove into Bristol. Even ate lunch sitting outside in the sun at their staff canteen. Progressively the weather has got worse and ended on Wednesday evening with torrential rain. The end of the summer.

The tanker driver strike (which has not started) has caused panic buying with people in the office saying how they have queued up for 20 minutes waiting to fill up. I was lucky, filled up last night and there was not a queue in site. The Blasdale luck never fails.

Well maybe it does, last night was awoken by the fire alarm going off at 1.00 am. Trooped out of the hotel [Ed’s comment: And note he does not wear PJs] and stood in the rain. Remember I said torrential rain. After 5 minutes back into the hotel. Several false alarm bells after that required the pillow-over-the-head technique to block out the noise.

Posted in work | Leave a reply

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Recent Posts

  • The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe October 10, 2025
  • A vist with BBOWT to Snelsmore Common Country Park October 9, 2025
  • Bloodstock – Friday and Trivium August 8, 2025
  • Bloodstock – Thursday Arrival August 7, 2025
  • Ludgershall Bike Night July 7, 2025
  • Glastonbury 2025 – Sunday June 29, 2025
  • Glastonbury 2025 – Saturday June 28, 2025
  • Glastonbury 2025 – Friday June 27, 2025
  • Glastonbury 2025 – Thursday June 26, 2025
  • Glastonbury 2025 – Wednesday June 25, 2025

Recent Comments

  • Steve on Revelstoke – Hydroelectric Power Station
  • Richard on Revelstoke – Hydroelectric Power Station
  • Hannah on Frogmore House and Gardens
  • Paul on Calling all Blasdales
  • Glastonbury Festival 2024 - Wednesday on Glastonbury 2019 Thursday

Archives

Arcais Badger BBOWT Broken Leg Camargue Cambridge Cambridge Folk Festival Cambridge Society Canada Chicago Clay Shooting Edinburgh Egypt Fox France France 2022 France 2023 France 2024 Glastonbury Gonville and Caius Guernsey Kili Kingswood Luxémont-et-Villotte Moorhen National Trust New Zealand Norwich Outer Hebrides Paragliding Petit Paris Pheasant Plough and Anchor portmeirion Rabbit RBS sadgits Sad Gits Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer Scotland Selina Southwold Starlings Tanzania Whistle Binkies

Blogroll

  • Dr Andrea Winkelmann-Gleed
  • Franco and Francine
  • John and Carol
  • Kingswood Gun Club

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Arcais (15) Badger (9) Baratier (5) BBOWT (7) Bike Night (4) Birthday (7) Blackbird (5) Bloodstock (7) Broken Leg (7) Buckinghamshire (5) Camargue (9) Cambridge (16) Cambridge Folk Festival (11) Cambridge Society (13) Canada (17) Chicago (11) Christmas (5) Clay Shooting (17) download (5) Eatons (4) Edinburgh (8) Egypt (15) Faroe Islands (5) Festivals (6) Fforest Fields (4) Fireworks (5) Fox (29) Fox Cubs (6) France (119) France 2022 (19) France 2023 (27) France 2024 (27) Game Fair (5) Garden (4) Glastonbury (32) Glastonbury 2019 (6) Glastonbury2022 (5) Glastonbury 2024 (6) Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza (6) Golden Jubilee (5) Gonville and Caius (14) Graham (4) Grand Union Canal (4) Grendon Underwood (6) Grey Heron (6) Guernsey (15) heron (5) Home (5) IBM (5) Jamaica (4) Jeddah (5) John Curd (5) Kili (8) Kingswood (34) Koningsdam (6) Le Bec-Hellouin (7) Leicester (4) Ludgershall (5) Luxémont-et-Villotte (7) Moorhen (11) Muntjac (7) National Trust (19) New Zealand (53) Norman and Valerie (4) Norwich (8) Orkney (4) Outer Hebrides (12) Oxford (5) Paragliding (12) Petit Paris (20) Pheasant (8) Plough and Anchor (20) portmeirion (11) Rabbit (11) RBS (21) Richard (5) Rosemary (5) sadgits (15) Sad Gits (7) Saint Brides Major (6) Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer (21) Saudi (4) Scotland (14) Selina (9) Southwold (7) Starlings (7) Tanzania (12) USA (4) Valerie (4) Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (6) Vancouver (5) Waddesdon (4) Waddesdon Manor (5) wales (6) Walker (4) Waterside Theatre (4) weather (4) Wellington (4) Whistle Binkies (15) Wotton Underwood (5)

©2025 - Blasdale Home Privacy Policy
↑