Bills Posts

We’ve just watched 2023 burst upon in a cacophony of noise and light, and I realised that I had not posted a piece in the 4 hours prior. So, the counter is reset to zero for 01 Jan 23. Shall we see how far we can get through this year?

This is going to be short post as I need to go to bed. But before I go, I would very much like to wish you a prosperous and happy New Year.

Ignore the RAYNET signs and the stuff on the bonnet. Not relelvant to this post. Today we made another London trip. We left home with a 100% battery. Road conditions were atrocious, it was cold so we had to use the heater a fair bit to demist – the heater really eats the battery. When we first got the EV, we would stop at Cobham services to do a recharge, and then we would charge via the 13 amp unit (at 5% per hour approx) it worked fine but it was slow.

We found out that there was a charging station quite near us. We were quite impressed with it. Taking our car from 23% to 81% in about 40 minutes – relatively speaking, not bad ignoring the feelings of petrol envy. I wanted to talk about the infrastructure supporting electric vehicles. When we first got the EV, I was pretty appalled at the lack of infrastructure supporting users. The number of charging stations and those stations being out of service for any extended period of time. I recognise that it cannot be guaranteed that we would turn up at a charging station not have to queue. The quantity and distribution of stations was inadequate. I had read through the Governments strategy for electric vehicles and I have to say it is pretty good. What they need to do is deliver to it.

There are three longish journeys that we undertake – usually, at least once a year – more frequently in some cases. Certainly, in two of these cases the situation has improved dramatically. in one case the number of charging stations that we could use has trebbled, and doubled in another.

We really aren’t fully there yet. But, the situation has improved.

We went for a walk into town today. We took a slightly roundabout tour past the cockle ponds. It was very nice to see members of the model yatch club out racing. I’m not sure what class it was, but there was a bit of a breeze and the boats were moving at a fair clip.

We reached the water front and the most obvioust thing was that the Mary Mouse was back. Looking very strange as all of it’s superstructure had gone. Presumably stripped down because of the move. It will be interesting to see if the owners intend to restore to its former glory or they are going to do something different. I’m quite looking forward to eating there again, the food was lovely.

We walked up the high street. I had cause to stand and wait whilst Elayne had to visit a particular shop. I just stood in the street and watched people. There was a decided chill to the air, so people were well wraped up.

We are nearing the end of the Christmas Fayre, the Turkey has lasted quite a few meals, and along with the ham the last efforts are a very nice Turkey and Ham pie. Just a bit of chocolate to go. We do it every year, over indulge. I seem to have very little self control at this time of year – or any other come to that.

One of the things that I am trying to get in to the habit of doing is my daily one-off collection of weather data from the devices I have set up in the garden. Here are today’s figures (changes in the previous 24 hours);

Date	Pressure Hpa	Temp	Max	Min	RH	Rain mm
28 Dec 22	998	11	13	8	74	15

The next thing I do is check the hanging feeders. It seems that the main users, the sparrows are using them, but not at a high rate, both feeders are at least three quarters full. No need to top up at the moment.

Normally, I put a couple of sets of cable ties around the birdtable to stop the pigeons getting at the food as they will sit there and devour it. I prefer that the starlings get at least some. I topped the table up with seed and mealworms.

I was washing my hands when I saw the two Magpies bouncing along the patio, stopping at the base of the table to have a feast of the seed being discarded by the nearly a dozen starlings that were now acting as a bit of a rabble on the table, taking off in different directions when they realised I was watching them. then sitting on the fence, watching before diving back on to the table.

The Sparrows had arrived at the feeders first, more sparrows that there were feeding slots. They are impatient little so and so’s buzzing their friends trying to push them off the perches. Luckily there was more than enough for them all.

When we went to see the first Avatar film in 2009 we were absolutely blown away by the story, the imagery, and the quality of the 3D photography. It has remained until today by far the best 3D film that I have seen. I don’t know how many 3D films have been made since then, but I haven’t seen many.

Today, we went to the cinema again. This was to see the sequel to the the 2009 Avatar; Avatar The way of the water. You certainly get your money’s worth with this film with it running to over three hours in length.

I have to say that as a family we all thoroughly enjoyed the film. All of the characteristics of the original were to be found. If you are of a mind to go and see the film, I definitely recommend it.

On the left of the header picture is Rowner Church. The original church is 12th Century. Not the building we are looking at. In reality, only a small part of the church inside remains from the original.

The Rowner / Alverstoke area has it’s own Mott and Bailey. This is a secure structure built on top of a small mound and a larger community below it surrounded by a protectective wall, typically built from wood. These are likely to be the oldest structures in the area.

I think Gosport itself didn’t come in to existence 1500s yet Alverstoke and Rowner were mentionned in the Domesday Book.

It is easy to forget the history that surrounds us.

This is the symbols my downfall at Christmas time, and Chocolate is it’s name. In this case Toblerone, but pretty much any chocolate really. There isn’t much I don’t like. People insist on buying it for me for Christmas and of course I can’t refuse it. That would be very rude of me. And of course have acquired said choccy, it must be eaten. The thought of throwing it away becomes unbearable. The trouble is, I have started getting back ache, and I know exactly what is cause it. I am putting on weight. What do I want – Chocolate or a pain free back (plus a smaller waste line). I’m afraid the chocolate must go.

I have banged on a fair bit about my writing a book. I usually say that having tried a creative writing course and have discovered that my ability to write fiction leaves an awful lot (no exaggeration here) to be desired I end up saying the book must be non-fiction.

Every so often, I take a look inside my brain, just to confirm that my thoughts on what type of book to write haven’t changed and today’s introspection has led me down the path of characterisation. We didn’t do very much of that on the course, we did talk about it and did have one exercise, but that was about it (no criticism of the course here, I would highly recommend it to anybody) Anyhow, that inward look caused a question; If I read a story that involved me, would I like my character?

I have to say that I will have to try this, I will write my character trying to be as honest about me as I can. There is a bit of a conflict of interest here, where I might paint myself as a positive person (actually, I think I am fairly positive). Let’s give it a go. Sadly I can’t see any circumstances under which I would make that public.

The weather is with us all day, every day it affects us all. Many aspects of the weather are fairly easy to measure. It is possible to buy weather stations that measure different aspects and present that data to the internet. I am very likely to go back there.

In the meantime, I am quite enjoying gathering what information I have access to manually. I have been looking for something to measure wind speed and wind direction I’d like an anemometer and a wind vane with a mechanical readout. I haven’t found anything yet but I shall keep looking.

In the meantime, I thought I could put up a windsock. They are quite cheap on Amazon (less than £10) and others only a little more expensive even come with a pole. A windsock would give an indication of intensity and direction. But if I am to go down that route I will have to consult, because it would be quite intrusive.

The other thing I could do is record cloud type and cover. I understand that cloud cover is measured in octets (eighths). And the different cloud types of which I know some, but not all. Another bit of learning to do I think.

Would you notice if I re-used a photo that I had used before? I did a few posts ago and I didn’t notice myself until the next night when I wanted to use it again (must be a good picture). I’m not really talking the most recent episode, something from longer back.

The thing is, with 850+ posts under my belt of which I am quite proud, as a side comment, I could no more tell you whether or not I have re-used a photo from before, than I could write 10 posts in a day.

I went to the shop to get some bits and pieces. That is the only time I have been out of the house today. I’m not adding many new pictures recently. I am reluctant to re-use pictures but there are times when I need to. I suppose it is helped by a lot of my pictures having a common theme – the waterfront.

It’s been quite a while now since I have done any regular walking. I need to correct that. After Christmas, I think.

Would you notice if I re-used a photo that I had used before? I did a few posts ago and I didn’t notice myself until the next night when I wanted to use it again (must be a good picture). I’m not really talking the most recent episode, something from longer back.

The thing is, with 850+ posts under my belt of which I am quite proud, as a side comment, I could no more tell you whether or not I have re-used a photo from before, than I could write 10 posts in a day.

I went to the shop to get some bits and pieces. That is the only time I have been out of the house today. I’m not adding many new pictures recently. I am reluctant to re-use pictures but there are times when I need to. I suppose it is helped by a lot of my pictures having a common theme – the waterfront.

It’s been quite a while now since I have done any regular walking. I need to correct that. After Christmas, I think.