Bills Posts

There are a couple of things that will stop me going for my morning walk Monday to Friday;

If it’s raining. I have a tolerance it amounts to “water in the air” I’m happy to put on my more heavy duty raincoat.

Sometimes, I’m just tired and really don’t feel like it.

I cycle to work, pretty much whatever the weather so that’s why I don’t walk if it is raining. So, why do I walk?

I walk for a few reasons; mostly perhaps because I enjoy it. That enjoyments is derived from the the radio, weather, or rather the skies in particular, I like taking pictures of the Spinnaker and seeing the different skies behind it; then there is the shipping. Of course the regulars come and go, the Gosport Ferries, the whitelink car ferries, and the fast catamarans, which I have been on several times and make for a very quick crossing. The Brittany Ferries; The Normandie, The Mon St Michell, occasionally the Bae De Seine and even more rarely the Bretagne, and the fast cat Normandie, The Commodore line, I’m often a few minutes too late for the Commodore Clipper, but just on the odd occasion I see her. Then there are the bunkering (refuelling) ships, the Cumbrian Fisher (rarely away from her position), the Whitchampion and Janey W. Then of course there are the Reefer (refrigerated) and normal (but not huge) container ships and every so often a cruise ship. I do hope the passengers have a good time with their day in port.

Then there is the #Breakfastclub, supported by the Isle of Wight Radio Society’s repeater – owned and maintained by G4IKI Paul – the repeater keeper. There are friends who appear regularly on the early morning net; 2E1PHW Pete, G7EPE Dave, M0IMA Phil and M3OHN Peter, joined by others when they are inclined. Not least Erin from the States , the Cat vet from New York and the Ex Pats in Hawaii and Australia. I’m sorry, I can’t remember their callsigns, but it is always a pleasure to hear from them.

During my walk I give my weather report. It’s not a forecast. I have a hand held anemometer, in adition wind speed it measures atmospheric pressure in numbeer teerms of both millibars, hpa and inches of mecury, relative humidity, and temperature (C & F are available) dew point and chill factor also. I’ll give the state of the tide, the times of the present high and low for this cycle. The slope of the gosport ferry ramp and the sea state. It has I believe only gone to a two once, during a storm. It’s normally pretty calm in hte harbour, no matter how much the seas is raging. Then and finally, there is the cloud cover. Measured in 8ths. Not sure why, but there you go.

You might think that’s pretty boring, and so it may be – but I enjoy it.

For whatever reason, Monday’s posts are the most difficult. It’s the one where I have to get the creative juices flowing. Quite often, I’m thrashing around trying to find something to write about.

I’m watching a youtube clip about street photography, Fan Ho, Nan Goldin, Martin Parr – names that I’ve never heard of, but the brief clips and shots Jamie Windsor the presenter talks about the ethics of street photography.

It was very interesting to see the clip why you shouldn’t do street photography. Now. Street photography really appeals to me as a genre. I’m not sure why as I am really quite nervous about practicing it. How should you do it? It seems to me that it is not unreasonable to stop someone and ask if it is OK to take their picture. I did that with a shop keeper a few months ago. He was quite happy – and if they aren’t then just don’t take the picture.

I need to try this.

• 

And I do mean lazy. About the most effort was my going to get the newspapers, a five minute walk in each direction. Somehow though, just traipsing around, I’ve managed to clock up my 10,000 steps. Not sure how I did that.

Just after midday, Elayne and I decided that we would drive to Lee-on-The-Solent to just sit by the seaside, with our books and have an ice cream, and then possibly fall asleep. Which is exactly what we did. First though, when we arrived the seas was a little bit rough, and there was quite a breeze.

This is where we got the pictures of the Sea Gulls. As we pulled up, they were just hanging there in the air, making no attempt to move forward, the wind was keeping them up. It was quite an amazing sight. People think of them as being a pest and they can be a bit brazen, but they are incredibly graceful in the air. It was a real pleasure to watch.

There were no cruise ships in Southampton today. But there were a couple of container ships coming in and a much smaller one going out. There are non of the cruise ships that we have been on due in until mid April, when the cruise season really kicks off. I hope all of the holiday companies are OK this year. It is going to be a difficult one for them.

• 

• 

• 

I had arranged to take my bike in to Cycle world for it’s first service today. Just about two months after I bought it. The first two services are free, so it seems silly not to take advantage. I did say that I would have the bike at the shop for when it opened, so that I could pick it up as early as possible.

I took a ferry across to Portsmouth at about 0830. There were only a couple of miles the other side, but it was a bit fiddly. But I arrived at the shop about 5 minutes before it opened. They said come back at midday.

I took the opportunity to walk back to Commercial road along that part of London Road as far as I can. That part of London road is an area bustling with activity, lots of people & cars about. I suspect it is a good area for people watching and street photography – if only I had the guts to do it, working on it but still not quite there.

I had a good browse around Waterstones, but I didn’t buy anything. I had a long polish sausage in a bread role for lunch. It was very nice. Then it was time to walk back up to cycle world. I’m getting my steps in today.

The trip home was a bit hairy. It was very windy, head on. A couple of places it was so strong, I was nearly stationary.

On the ferry going out, I saw a couple of tugs heading out, that usually means something reasonably big is coming in. Now, I don’t think it was the same thing that came in for my return trip, but you never know. Any how, the Lovely sight referred to is the Monrovian registered Columbian Star, a Reefer which will be carrying fruit and veg in to Portsmouth. The unusual thing was it being escorted by four tugs, It really was a lovely sight.

I didn’t go for a walk this morning. I awoke at 0255 and then couldn’t get back to sleep, well not until 0500 anyway. Of course I then went out like a light and awoke at about 0610. As it happens, I wouldn’t have gone for a walk anyway, as it was chucking it down.

Frustratingly, it then turned into a lovely day with bright sun and plenty of blue sky. I could have gone for a walk at lunchtime, in fact I should have done, but didn’t. It’s been a busy daŷ, with too much going on.

Hopefully, tomorrow morning will mean I can get out for my usual walk. I’m looking forward to using my new anemometer. I’ll let you know how I get on. In the meantime, here are a couple of random pictures.

• 

• 

• 

• 

It wasn’t freezing for my early walk, but not far from it. Temperatures of around 3.5C and a 3 or 4 knot breeze making it feel even chillier meant that I would have appreciated a set of ear muffs. But it wasn’t too bad. The morning skies are brightening rapid;y now, bring some colour to the morning pictures which is nice.

Walking out on the Haslar Marina Pier wall was a bit dodgy. There were two points where I lost my footing and nearly went flying. Luckily I didn’t. But if it is as cold in the morning I’m likely no to go to my. Favourite point to deliver my weather report to the #Breakfastclub, which is out at the end of the wall.

Not much movement in the harbour. The Normandie came in, and the ferries were merrily going too and fro. I can’t help wondering about the captains and crew of the gosport ferries. Fundamentally, it can’t be a massively interesting job, but they always seem to go at it with gusto and enthusiasm. I wonder what it is that they bring to each transit? Are they people watchers, or do they treat each journey, at a rough guess of about 8 minutes crossing time, approx 15 from doors opening one side, to doors closing the other side – roughly as an adventurous cruise in its own right? Just thinking.

I caused a stir in the household last night. I had to buy a new tyre for my bike, and bought a new tube also (luckily, as it happens) i had fitted everything and pumped the tube up, at about 60Psi, I realised that the tyre hadn’t seated correctly, and was off the wheel rim. I touched the valve to deflate the tube, and it went bang, quite loudly. My ears rang for about 5 minutes. Of course, everybody came out to ask “what was that’? No harm done, and the second tube came in to play. All seems ok, this mornings ride will be the test. As it happens, the bike is in for its first (free) servicing on Saturday, so they can check it out.

My first morning walk for 5 days, the difference in the sky is striking. The last two photos show the sky on Thursday morning, and the sky this morning. As time moves on so things change, of what that means is I am on the verge of loosing the morning chorus, which when it is in full throat is lovely. There is a big flock of starlings that roosts under the Portsmouth Harbour railway station. I think they start murmuring at about 4pm. I’ll have to see if I can’t get down there for that on the weekend.

Although the temp was 7-8C, the breeze gusting to 6 knots had a real chill to it, so I appreciated being wrapped up. Rain was threatening, but it looks like I’ll be ok for the ride to work.

Seriously, who likes getting up from a nice warm bed into a cold room at a ridiculous hour? On the other hand, I do enjoy the walk, and I particularly enjoy a walk on a frosty morning, which is exactly what is promised by the tv meteorologists. Should be interesting.

Getting a puncture on Thursday evening was annoying. It wasn’t as if I had ridden over some glass or a nail. The wind had blown my bike off the stand. The bike falling over had caused the tube to puncture, it was only a pin prick of a hole, but in the past I’ve never had much success in repairing them, so it’s easier to just buy a new tube. I did so, not thinking the tyre was damaged.

It was.

So, I ended up having to buy a tyre as well today. Then I must have mounted the tyre incorrectly, as it came out of the wheel. I touched the tube as it blew at 60psi. My ears rang for 5 minutes.

An interesting weekend, early rising for me on both days over the weekend.

Working with RAYNET on the Hampshire Dog Sled Racing event it was, I think, about as deep into the New Forest as you can get. It was fun watching the dogs.

There were all types of characters; the really gung-ho types that were lolloping along, pulling their humans on anything from a three-wheeled sled, two wheeled scooters,mountain bikes or just on foot, through to dogs that were just out for a daily saunter regardless of how much people shouted at them on to dogs that clearly though their people were mad for dragging them out.

The weather was fine, it rained a little bit, really not much – ok for the runners. Luckily, the way the course was set out, the RAYNET people were able to sit in their cars at the various check points, so we were quite comfortable.

It was though a little bit (not much) muddy. Which meant that as soon as I got back I had to go and get the car cleaned.

At least, I think I am. That doesn’t mean I start with ideas that are good. I think if something, want to do it, apply a limited amount of planning, start it and then, usually, it requires too much effort and so I have to let it drop, or it is never as quick, or as good as it should be.

So what have I started that I am in danger of not finishing, and what would I like to start?

Well, As a radio ham, I like to make contributions to the clubs journal. I thought it would be a good idea to get on to the submarine Alliance at the submarine museum, and write articles about aspects of it. I’ve been in touch with submariners, and will follow it through, but it is taking a lot longer that it really should – has it become a bit of a chore?

What then, would I like to start? I have a DJI Osmo gimbal stabiliser for mobile phones. IK’d quite like to do some Jack Hargreaves, Out Of Town type YouTube clips. How does that sound. Will I start it? Probably. Will I finish it? Who knows. Let’s see shall we?

The difficulty I have is writing twice a day. I start the day usually by going for a walk, which I then write briefly about on my Facebook page that only family and friends can see. When it comes to the evening blog my brain has pretty much dried up. That’s why, if you have access to my Facebook page and you are reading this blog, you will see some duplication. I have to admit I’m not overly worried about that. To me it’s more important that this blog is used rather than not.

I still don’t have a message. How many of you remember the 1960s tv show out of town, with Jack Hargreaves? I even have the music going through my brain now. I think I’d like to be a bit like him. Or Magnus. pike. Remember him? I like waving my arms around but that would frighten the animals away, so the two don’t really mix.

The skies were deceptive this morning. I thought they were the cirrocumulus type and that the sunrise would be interesting, so I was approaching my walk with enthusiasm. Just to side track; yes there are the occasional days when I think to myself I’d much rather stay in bed than go for my walk, but that doesn’t happen often. I usually see my weekends as my reward for walking through the week. When I got out this morning, I realised they weren’t cirrocumulus, they were stratus clouds. Oh My, why have I suddenly gone all technical on the clouds? I thought I might as well learn them, seeing as I have been a member of the cloud appreciation society for quite a few years now. I’ll try to mention them every day now (I can hear the groans). Anyhow, I did get caught briefly in the rain, not much only a few seconds so it wasn’t really that bad.

It is still quite gusty. I was getting speeds of 10 Knots whilst down at the waterfront, and it’s sheltered there. I got to the water just in time to catch the Mon St Michelle as she came past the spinnaker, that’s always a nice sight. The weather was ok really, 10C with pressure a bit low at 1019. When the wind is like that I do worry about my hat (flat cap) being blown off into the water so I keep it tight down.