Category Uncategorized

Jan 18 2013

snow, snow, and some more snow

This has nothing to do with archery and simply a series of pictures of my walk home on Friday. The UK doesn’t get snow that often and in turn often suffers from not always being prepared.

The weather forecast had been predicting snow for a few days but it still caused problems. Despite this many of us managed to get to work. Having said that I did head in prepared with my winter walking gear (walking boots, lined trousers, hot drinks etc)

The first picture is taken at the train station at about 7:30 am when I had walked there from the house, not too bad yet.

taken on way to work

taken on way to work

8:30 am and here are the next photos taken from my office window, it had only just started to fall any amount

8-30 am

by 9:40 Birmingham was seeing heavy snow fall

9-30 am, note the snow on cars

View from office at 9:30 am, note the snow on cars

 At 1 pm an email went out saying managers could allow staff to go home early due to weather. My next train was at  2 pm so I headed to the train station, and this was where these were taken.

university station from walkway

university station from walkway

university station from platform

university station from platform

Unfortunately because the previous train had been cancelled when the 2 pm train arrived (late) it was already packed and no-one could get on. Option left was to wait for the 3 pm train or catch a different train and have about a 3.5-4 mile walk home via country lanes.

Me being me I chose to walk and in some ways so glad I did. Okay so walking 4 miles in snow might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but to put it simply I love cold weather. It also gave me an opportunity for a country walk and this is where these photos were taken.

Starting walk home

Starting walk home

snowy train

snowy tree

snowy lane

snowy lane

snowy field

snowy field

And finally got home. Have had about 4-5 inches (10-12 cms) of snow since 7:30 am

20130118_160814

Just like to say a big thanks to all the workers and volunteers who have kept UK going, whether it be rail service, gritting roads, meals on wheels or emergency services, thanks.

Hope you like them and for those of you out in the cold, keep safe and stay warm, thanks for reading.

Jul 3 2012

Olympic torch leaves Leicester

Olympic Torch bearer in Leicester

Olympic Torch bearer in Leicester

I’m not an Olympian and not likely to be, I haven’t bought tickets to see any of the events but don’t take it wrong and think I’m not supportive of the games or the competitors.

These individuals will have spent years developing their fitness levels and skills to compete at a truly global level, so they deserve our respect and support. Whether they be able bodied or competing in the Paralympics they are still Olympians. They may not all come home with the gold, silver or bronze medals, but they will always be special.

So what bought these comments?

Well this morning Sharon and I got up just after 5:30 am, so we could get down the National Space Centre in Leicester to see the Olympic flame as it makes its way across the country to finally rest in London in a few weeks. It had arrived in Leicester last night and was due to leave a little after 7 am. Despite it being a damp, grey morning and not the glorious sunshine the torch bearers  deserve, hundreds of people of all ages, race and backgrounds,  lined the pavements  and streets to cheer on the torch bearers as they made their way through Leicester and out towards Loughborough.

Kevin Davies-torch bearer

Kevin Davies – first torch bearer in Leicester

Congratulations to all that have had the honour of carrying the torch and good luck to all the Olympians for 2012  games and future ones. Lets hope it inspires people

Thanks for reading

Dec 12 2011

Season’s greetings

So weekend spent driving round the country visiting in-laws and at nephews christening along with multiple family meals. Don’t think I need to eat for the rest of this week.

This means there was no further testing of glove verses tab on the archery range.

Not sure how easily I will be updating this blog in the near future as my netbook has died and am waiting on its repair.

So I will take this opportunity to wish all a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New year (especially those attending any Champions shop shoots in 2012 or indeed the 2012 Olympics)