Free Falling Foxes

I didn't pick up my guitar for 2 or 3 days and boy, it showed. Took me quite a bit of playing to blow away just 72 hours of 'cobwebs' Any other guitarist - or indeed any other instrument players - find an even modest lay-off has such an effect?

Ordered an item from a UK seller on Ebay and it took a week to arrive. I grew up in an era where ordering an item to be delivered (Club book, catalogues and so on) used to take 14-21 days. Now I'm: Where is it? Strewth! 7 days! Terrible! Shan't order from them again. Prime has a lot to answer for.

Another way of looking at it.....

Ticking all the pictures with traffic lights in. Just........just......... FECK OFF!

Missed the 1st half. Is there no Ref cam and spider cam? The World Cup has really spoiled me.

We were apprentices at the time, so around 1977. Predates American Pie so guess its an example of art imitating life.

On the subject of gardens/lawns needing water, we sometimes use a water butt pump - like the one pictured below - and an hose and use the bath water. Edit: In my experience, it's best to wait until the Mrs gets out first.

I recall reading that some country - I forget which - has solar panels mounted along the central reservation of their motorways. Great idea I thought.

Reminds me of a mate at work many moons ago, who had popped round his girlfriends one lunchtime. On his return I asked if she was OK. He stuck his fingers under my nose and said you tell me.

It is my absolute No1 irritant, hearing other people's music. For some years, we lived next door to a very inconsiderate couple who played loud music and had the TV on loud. Where we are now, a couple around the corner from our home would have music playing very loudly until all hours. Thankfully, this is now rare. The lack of self awareness you mention is astonishing. We have had a young couple move in on the adjacent street, their garden backs onto ours. During our first chat, he mentioned how lovely and quiet it is this area. During the last hot spell, they would have a radio playing loudly in their garden. The sound doesn't magically stop travelling at the garden fence you selfish sods.

Reminds me of this picture. Iirc, the woman had just been to a Beatles exhibition in New York and her friend took this picture as they were leaving. It wasn't until they looked at it, they recognised the fella crossing.

If you thought The Terminator was far fetched. Open AI broke out of a 'secure' testing environment and 'went rogue' and lauched an 'Unprecedented Attack'. Even those involved couldn't believe the level of autonomy it achieved. Given time........

I've emailed Count Binface and asked him to include in his manifesto, the complete and utter banning of us having any connection with Southampton FC.

Walking around our neighbourhood this morning, it dawned on me how very few homes have what you might call a traditional front garden of lawn, borders, flowers etc. I would estimate that 75% or more, were block paved, slabbed, tarmac/concrete etc. Oh I get why, it's usually to accommodate a car or 3. However, in the most recent David Attenborough series, Secret Garden, he mentioned the vital role our gardens play for wild life, especially as we lose more of our green spaces in our increasingly crowded island. We are the most nature depleted country in the world. Not in the top 10, not in the top 5 - No1. What an unwanted accolade and with gardens diminishing too, it ain't good.

I remember receiving a new referral once when I worked for ASC. During our initial meeting/assessment, she asked me if I could look into getting her a mobility scooter. Looking into her needs, it certainly looked like she would qualify. But then it came to my attention that she already had a mobility car. When I pointed this out she said, 'Oh my daughter uses that.' Her daughter was fully ambulant.

We've had a few squadrons of Dragon Flies in our garden this last week or two. 5 or 6 flying around at any one time. Previously, I've only seen the odd one here and there - and that's pretty rare.

Is the Falcon still there or flew away to enjoy his breakfast? In our back garden we have had a couple of pigeons having a go at each other at least twice this week. Clear unrest in the ornithology world.

'Do you sell chocolates?' 'No'

What does the Red and orange denote, ferocity?

That's not true. I wasn't expecting t................ I mean, he wasn't expecting to train too.

Possibly, but one thing is consistent; far far fewer female drivers acknowledge you when giving way.

Since Western Golf Course closed approx 10 years ago, it has become an even more wonderful green space. You see all sorts of wildlife there and it's so picturesque. Arguably, it is a more beautiful open space than any of the city parks. It would make a truly wonderful city Arboretum .

Youngsters steals from 'Honesty box' Fair play to the boys mother.

I worked there from 1977 to 1995. It was Marconi Radar Systems by then before becoming Marconi Command and Control. If you look closely, you'll notice the left hand side of the site was designed as the front of the building. This was because when it was built in the late 50s, it was already envisaged that a new road (A563) would be constructed to feed the newly built M1 (J21) The roads at the lower part of the photograph are Liberty Road and Scudamore Road. The latter of which now continues to a roundabout on the aforementioned A563. Many of the buildings on the left hand half of the photograph/site remain with countless further development including residential, commercial and industrial, taking place in the area. One noticeable exception on the site is the taller square building towards the top left of the photograph which was known as the 'High Test Bay' Unfortunately, what does remain as a green open space in that area, the old Western Golf Course, is also due to be concreted over.

Will that continue though? More likely such costs will be rolled-out across the new 'city'. My prediction is that for the average current county household in the affected area, the negatives will outweigh pluses. Then there are the consequences of more green spaces being grabbed for city development. Unfortunate times.