Getting Old Happens So Quickly.

14th March 2018

It's a fact of life that we all get older but just when we need more time to do what we used to do much quicker, the clock appears to speed up and the finish line becomes much clearer and not so far away. It seems like just yesterday that I was hanging the tinsel on the Christmas tree and already the special day in every Irishman's life is upon us and St Patrick is jigging up and down all around me and for some weird reason, everyone is saying "Too sure, too sure & Top of the morning to you too".

It's always been quite a mystery why so many people in England celebrate St Patrick's day when we just brush over St Georges day without even a mention for some reason but perhaps it's because we have had such a lengthy period of usually a combination of both bad weather and dark miserable days and the excuse and I do mean any excuse to let off some steam and enjoy a party is probably the reason we enjoy becoming Irish if only for a few short hours. I myself like the rest of the people who become like sheep have already prepared myself for the big day by arranging the purchase of a very large Guinness hat, green "Celtic" T shirt and green shoes for the one day this year where I might turn out and look like a very overweight and stupid looking leprechaun called "Peter Hulbert" and for no reason that makes any sense, have planned ahead and decided that against all that is expected, I may actually be tempted to have a drink of something that can only be made in Dublin to quality to be Irish. So why.....I ask myself do I do this crazy ritual with my wonderful daughter every year and never miss. Tradition is the only answer I can offer and it's the one day that I commit to every year to spend the day with my daughter.

So, I have some news for the ones who follow crazy and enjoy ending the day with a smile and not a tear and whilst it's not particularly exciting, it's at least going to caused misery to the grumpy and a smile to the happy ones among us all........and we all know who they are...!! In this time of cut back after cut back, we in the UK are all aware that one of the things that is vanishing from our high street is the local Bank and it's causing much concern among the people who like to see the local branch and staff and down want to speak through a computer or technology of any kind. The point of digital was supposed to be better for all and be accessible 24 x 7 but if this were true, why do so many not embrace it but simply fight it. Well today I found a Bank that was clearly open but not for accepting deposits, withdrawals or complaints and whilst that in itself is a problem, it also clearly states that there is "no fishing" either from that branch......!!   Please have a very Happy St Patrick's Day and drink responsibly and stay safe so that we can all meet up this time next week to say we made it.

27th March 2018

So we are the back end of March and no matter what, we are here and in a position stronger than some and better than others and as such there is no room for complaint in a world where looking back does not work and moaning simply wastes time and energy. Easter is knocking at the door for the most part of my country as many except for the spoilers who spend their time trying to ban or prevent it for some weird reason best known to them.

I was out and about in my fine City this week and whilst I was out, I had a small window of opportunity to take some pictures and share them with you. This piece of fine engineering is a well known landmark which is the bridge over a few major roads that runs down the side of Ponds Forge Swimming & Gymnastic center that is a huge asset to our city as it attracts visitors from all around the globe to enjoy the world class facilities to which it provides to all who visit. You will notice that traveling across the bridge is our very modern tram system that once again serves our city so well.

To the left, you will see the outside of our very special swimming pool and it's leisure facilities and as you may notice in the distance, there are a series of water slides inside one of the pools here to which actually goes outside and back in again at quite a speed and the kids and adults truly enjoy both slides provided here. I am very proud of my City and the way it has recovered from some very testing times over the years that started back in the 80s with over 3,000,000 unemployed to what is today a very successful City with a thriving population and very proud of it steel industry to which was the foundation that our City was built on, although some may dispute that and say that we were more famous for our cutlery and silver business which were world renowned for there quality and style. Sadly, I remember when most of this industry was moved out of the city for economic purpose and is probably made somewhere in the far east today

This week spelled the twice a year event of the changing of the clocks to which I would be grateful if someone could actually explain to me the purpose of this crazy ritual that catches so many out and causes so much mayhem for so many for so little reward to which for some weird reason nobody challenges why. However, for those who enjoy a cheeky smile at those who don't know, here is a bunch of volunteers who turn up yearly at the "Stone Henge" stones and by working in both harmony and unison, they manage to lift all of the stones forward one hour in which to comply with EU rules that all clocks must display local time in accordance with the European demand. Most if not all of the volunteers are druids and as it is EU rule, nobody is allowed to be paid for the nights work and should be proud that they were part of this trustworthy team to which they can share the stories with there children that they were part of the European workforce of volunteers who lifted the 200 tun stones forward 1 hour in accordance with the EU law which saved them from the lefties who may argue that we didn't apply a risk assessment or health and safety officer along with a IT engineer and productivity officer and site manager to oversea the work that early Man managed before he could even speak. One last word before I go, please enjoy Easter and the time we all have. You don't need to be religious of any kind but the period in time is called and known as Easter and as long as I have the strength to speak, I will defend the right to call it that.

3rd April 2018

Can anyone tell me where my home country of Great Britain has gone today. The country of pride in your Town and respect for your neighbor and compassion towards others. Where has it all gone to.

I still remember the days when Whitsuntide held its annual march through the streets to display and show off the congregation and the children used to show off their new cloths. The ladies and girls would wear their new bonnets and the local band would play ahead of the march.

I still remember when we took assembly at school where for a few short moments we sang hymns and said prayers whilst we stood quietly and respected our teachers who led the congregation. I still recall when our local Bobby (Police) carried a small truncheon and whistle and walked our streets, they always said good morning to the public who all knew him or her by name. Where is our green and pleasant land where we used to roam and breath fresh air and where is the humanity & spirit of our great nations gone that gave the title “Great” in Britain. Nobody agrees with the changes to our country, so why do we just accept them as they happen. For evil to develop and grow, all it takes is good to people to stand back and allow it. Where did my country go......!!    

7th April 2018

So, here we all are yet again and my week has been full of it's normal up's and downs and if I (Peter Hulbert) was talking about my love life, that would be bragging but sadly it is not and it's more akin to my normal routine to which is probably more entertaining than my love life. So I started my week with 6 inches of snow on the ground and ended my week with the hottest day of the year so far and to say it is crazy weather is an understatement in more ways than one. My ability to sustain bullshit fired from a machine gun with high impact rounds is what keeps me going some-days as it come thicker and faster than ever. However, I never say die and I am no quitter and as such, quitting is for quitters and the difference between success and failure is the ability to find a way through no matter what.

So if life was so full of roses and perfume, why is there always a smell of BS when we get downwind of certain people. We all know people who are full of it and the stories they peddle is always far more interesting that the people telling the truth, sadly the reality of the BS is what affects us all in so many ways, normally in a negative way more than any positive outcome. However, for Peter Hulbert and his weird world, it is all power for the cause in the end and what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger is what I like to think. So my week started on such a positive note as it was a Bank Holiday in the UK and for the most part, much of the world too and as such it all started a little slowly with many people taking an extended break and trying to locate the rest was a real nightmare. I decided in the end that as so many people were not available or away on an early break, I might as well survive the week by doing something else and ending with a smile than a pile of frustration and because of that, I motivated myself to go out to the countryside and absorb some of natures finest fresh air, while it is still free.
So my all anticipated and eager start to April was dashed somewhat by others rather than myself but I am always focused enough to have a fall back plan and as the sun rose in the eat, so did Peter Hulbert with his camera as always. In the end, it turned out to be quite a positive experience as I rather enjoyed drinking coffee in local areas, surrounded by countryside and green fields to which I always stress that I am so blessed to live so close to.

April 18th 2018

The first real taste of summer arrived with the temperature souring into the 20% C and tomorrow is expected to be even better. I would like to stress here and now, this is not a complaint but an appeal for more after such a long winter and snow was on the ground just 2 weeks ago and as such the sight of the sun was like winning the lottery 2 weeks in a row. My local shopping center was turned into a day at the seaside today and the kids loved it. All I need is a beer and knotted hankie and I'm happy.

I took some time out today to visit my local shopping center at Fox Valley Shopping which was a pure delight to enjoy a coffee and sunshine with a few kids enjoying the fountains and the sound of music in the background. It's on days like these when I realise why Yorkshire is known all over the world as "God's Own Country" and why we who maintain it and live here are so proud of the whole place and it's magnificent history. We might be rough be we are also ready for anything the world can throw at us.  

4th June 2018

So, here we are in June and I sense that you are saying "Why was there no May post" and I would say, Good Point.....!! I would waffle a little and excuse myself before I would think up some excuse to share with you.........The truth is, my daughter was moving home and it was all hands on deck and as my past life was as a carpenter, I got the job of making all the cupboards, wardrobes and bed site cabinets. I also installed some CCTV and hung the pictures, mirrors and hanging baskets outside. All in all, it was a nice change and a real pleasure to help my daughter get a good start in life and hopefully a platform in which to build upon.  May was a time for many a record to be broken in the UK and the most notable was the temperature which set a new record of the hottest May on record. No complaints here then and if I hear anyone moan about "Global Warming", I will kick them on the shin. We had a very long and hard winter and a few weeks of sun was well earned.

For those who know me as the local cynical jokester, I couldn't miss the opportunity to share a picture that I took whilst down in my Capitol City this week and who am I to suggest a reference to whom this sign might be directed at, except that would only ever say in humor that politicians are the main target of this sign and that the warning is to the public that the people who live on this street are the political crooks who rob from the poor and give to the rich. I suppose it is always a cheap joke to send one in the direction of our Politicians and that is probably a term in general across the world but if the truth be known, I wouldn't want that thankless task as you are always between the devil and the deep blue sea and we can't please everyone. Democracy should provide a comfort that we ate least had a say but as we had a say on the future of our country and it's association with Europe to which it is almost 2 years to the day that we voted and still no change, I'm beginning to have little faith in the process of democracy today. I remember when our nation used to look down and frown upon Russia for the dictatorship and no democracy but the tables have changed in recent times and the UK is the laughing stock of the world right now.

 Whilst I am on the subject of Politics and writing about the Month of May, I would like to give a quick mention to the events that the BBC and mainstream media refuse to cover which was the events that took place in my home City of Leeds in relation to "Tommy Robinson" of which I will just offer my thoughts for Tommy and his family to whom must be truly suffering at this moment in time. I will not make a judgement as that would be wrong of me but what I will say is that I have a lot of sympathy for Tommy and his cause and his bravery and determination are to be admired in my opinion and to that end I will say no more on this issue but will refer you to Google and the press who I now believe are covering the story rather well and certainly much better than I could ever wish to.

Oh how times have change. I can still remember when the "Etch A Sketch" was the cutting edge of technology and the comments wrote on this one sum it all up perfectly for me. The age of plastic brought cheap educational tools to the world and as quick as they came, the just as swiftly went. In my lifetime, I can still remember the very distinct smell of "Bakelite"which was a very basic and cheap material that led toward the plastic revolution. It was nothing like the modern materials of today and was highly flammable, very unstable and all in all a cheap and nasty material to be involved with but it did kick of the start of plastic development as it's known today.

9th June 2018

So, we are pretty much entering the center of the 2018 year where the downhill slide back to shorter days and longer nights appear more frequently and for me, that spells cold nights and frosty days at some point..........Ok, I will shut up, we haven't reached summer yet so I will stop now for 5 months and then moan again. I was in a writing mood today and decided to write a few words to someone very special in my life from who I miss dearly in every way and I hope you read my message to them below.
I wonder how many relationships have held firm just through the invention of the phone and then on the other hand how many have been destroyed once again by the phone. Technology is a wonderful thing that helps to bring the world together in so many positive ways and yet it is so often abused by so many for such little reward, sad really when you think about it. I often wonder how our ancestors would have reacted if the technology we have today was in there hands at the times when they set off around the world in search of the new and promised land. Can you imagine if the internet was alive and kicking when the Mayflower set off for Plymouth Rock or even if Captain Cook wad sat nav when he sailed the southern seas. Can you imaging getting a text from far away saying you discovered America or a selfie saying that Kangaroos had been discovered, another weird but wonderful thought would be the reverse of that thought which would be where would we be today had that be the case.......Hmmm...!!!  Ah well, day dreaming is a wonderful thing but the reality is that here we are and it is what it is no matter what you think. For me, the reality is that my life is very dependent upon technology, despite all the problems associated with it. I just hope your world is less fraught than mine is and that your communication is better placed to work than mine is on a more daily basis as my connections in life are all so far away and I am so self reliant on many things working in order to make them work. "Don't ask the next question" as I will not answer it but suffice to say my world is complex and never an easy thing to manage but I wouldn't have it any other way.

10th June 2018

I'm thinking of introducing a change to the way we name our days and true to western democracy, I will suggest a vote and if I don't get what I want, will ignore the result. As such, I propose we change the name of Sunday to boring. "Not boring day", just boring. So from 2019, it will go as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Boring, Monday etc.... If you agree, stand with me. If you do not........tough..!! So, how was your day I ask myself, followed by....how do you expect to tell me as I stopped people writing on my blog. My day can be summed in a few words. Hot, Boring, F1 Canada, More Hot More Boring.......Day over.

Have you ever just stopped what you are doing be it work or pleasure and wondered what life is all about. Are we here for a reason, for a purpose and if so why ?.....What is the reason, what is the purpose or is it just blind faith that we are all here. In nature, nothing happens for no apparent reason, everything has a purpose and nothing was created by or for design. So what is our purpose and why are we all here. We don't contribute positive things to planet earth in a way that benefits others other than ourselves and we certainly show no respect for other animals or plant life that we share this planet equally with but we do take up most of the good things that are created on earth and share non of it in a way to benefit the community of other species no matter what that are. So why was Man so successful when all he did was rape the planet of good and leave a trail of bad behind for the next generation to deal with. Did you never stop and think, did you ever wonder why or like me, did you just walk blind along the road and without a care in the world. Why do some generations and cultures appear to have everything and other cultures and countries have very little if anything at all. Who created this mad world has a lot to answer for and whilst nothing is perfect, the planet fell a long way short of being right first time. The picture to the left is a wonderful image of blind faith and it emphasis's the harsh reality of nature and blind faith in so many ways.  

14th June 2018

So, we finally reached the start of "The World Cup" of football and there is no way it could go by without a mention. I am not going to mention who we show support to or who we miss or wanted to be there (Italy & Holland) as it is too greater loss that we wish to mention and as such I am totally within my rights to say I wish our boys all the very best of luck and hope that we ultimately win the trophy in the end. 

I do find it rather distasteful that as a nation, neither Scotland, or Wales ever show support for the English team when in reality we as the English always support all four of our competing nations as if they were our own. I am beginning to realise that it is more of a fashion and not a true feeling to not like England but our history is built upon success and perhaps that is the envy to which the other 3 are lacking. The rest of the world should remember that without England, there would be no football tournament as it was a 100% English invention. England have at least won the trophy once and have on this occasion managed to make it to the finals unlike Scotland, Northern Ireland & Scotland who show there dislike by refusing any support for the one team with the ability to represent the United Kingdom in a major event. I for one am proud of my great country and wish the boys every success in there attempt to bring home the trophy.

The First Day Of The Rest Of My LIfe

1st January 2018

Welcome back to the start of a whole new year of what I truly hope is a good one for everyone and that 2017 is gone but not forgotten for any of us as despite everything, we survived in whatever form that took. I like to look back at life as a learning curve and as we progress forward, we look back as an education to build upon. Some parts were good and some were bad, some were happy and some were sad but our regrets are few and we are blessed in as much as we survived which many did not.

Many people appear to only judge others by money, wealth and what they are worth but I have learned in life that money comes and goes and wealth is easily removed but real value is in who we are and what we know and I learned to only ever value people and not money. Good people and more valuable than hard cash and through trauma and personal experience in life, I learned that good people are worth everything and bad people are worth nothing in our daily lives. I value my friends as they truly are the very best a person could ever wish for which is more than I can say for my family on occasions. Today is the 1st of the 1st and a day to rejoice and celebrate but I pray that this is the last one I see in this condition, I spend my whole Christmas as well as new year alone and locked in my room as I was simply not welcome around the ones who should know better. However, it's onward and upward as I advance into the new year with a shadow of hope in the background and a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that promises to bring along change and real prospect of a future outside of this circle of misery. I used to think I was all alone in my cocoon of doom and gloom but when I see the internet and so many people sharing stories of upset and depression, it makes me realise I am certainly not alone but far from it, I realise that the so called "Good Will To All" time of year is far from it and in reality, it's probably the cause of more divorce, family breakdowns or upset to so many. It's sad but so true. Ah well, so long 2017 and welcome to 2018 and a whole new chapter in the story of Peter Hulbert and what got him to this stage of his life and why. This year is a bounce back year and the plan is that certain heads will roll for what has happened and the truth will out in the end and whilst the pathway was a long and uncharted course, there was reason for everything and everything has a reason and timing is everything sometimes and my time is here and now. I have no plans to write a book or even make an issue of things but I do believe in justice and truth and both will appear this year and afterwards I can move on with my life to a new home, new wife and direction, most of which from overseas and far away. I hope on occasions you will touch base with my blog and fill in the gaps I left as I progress along through 2018 and as the time becomes right to share the valued points, I will be happy to do so. For now, wish me luck and I thank you all for your support.

5th January 2018

Well, what a week. We are into the first week of January and whilst it is winter, the rain and wind have been a major problem in the UK and as we hear the news on the TV, our thoughts are with our friends and families in the USA who are truly having some really bad snow and ice that has not been seen like this for many years. Our hearts go out to our greatest of friends the USA who always roll up their sleeves and just make it work, unlike many other nations around the world whom always shout "Money" for some reason. Tomorrow is Friday for me and I'm looking forward to meeting with "B" who as everybody knows, is always my priority when the opportunity arises and as we didn't see each other over Christmas, I have to take whatever is on offer for now. No doubt we will go for dinner somewhere as usual and I look forward to it so much.
As this week has as one might expect been a very quiet one and people on extended leave and slow returning to work, there is not much to say, except that my associates overseas have been very busy over the holiday period and I am excited about what news will hopefully come very soon. I will of course share this news with you all as and when I get updates and posted myself. Just keep the faith and we should all see a turn in direction and fortune very soon.

To the right is a large Scorpion made of steel and displayed outside of Forgemasters in my City. It is quite symbolic in some ways as I always say that a scorpion has a sting in the tail and whilst you may be watching the claws at the front, the sting is far worse that the bite should we say and my action plan for 2018 would describe that as par for course in the scheme of things. There certainly are a few names and old contacts to whom I expect to be seeing all too soon in which they may feel slightly surprised if not very uncomfortable about the reasons we all meet up again in such a circumstance. This will put the nails in the coffin that I require to fulfill my obligation to myself in order to continue onward with my life and plans to which include my planned wedding to which we are still waiting to confirm the dates but expect to once again share that with you all very soon.

16th January 2018

Today was a day of contemplation and thought and if you never step back and take some silent thought, I would suggest that it's time that you did. It is a great way of clearing the mind of confusion and replacing it with some logic without influence. Try it, you may well enjoy the moment.

There is something quite satisfying about this quite somber picture to the left and I will share this thought with you all to take with you throughout your life. "It does not matter how big your house is, or how fast your car goes because at the very end, we all have the same sized grave" and whilst I don't wish to encourage doom and gloom, I do hope you reflect on this simple message of life as everything that we have is not forever and that includes our life.

My world became very cold this week and snow, wind and driving rain followed by ice and more snow has made this part of the world very interesting at best and scary at worst for the drivers who always enjoy going just that bit quicker to the next accident. We were stricken by a major storm over the last 2 days with worse to come tomorrow through to the early hours of Thursday and cold is a word to describe the sunny areas of Yorkshire whilst freezing describes the rest.

When somebody asks me if it is cold where I am, I say no.......cold is 5% warmer than this and the description is that it is freezing her and not cold. For this young lady to the right, she discovered the hard way just what can happen on a cold and frosty morning. I would say at this point that my friends in the USA will be laughing at me right now as they truly are suffering from the cold weather and my days in Reno & Lake Tahoe were some of the most stunning of my life for snow and my time at Frenchmans lake were some of the most exciting. I recall seeing snow drifts over 12 feet deep and they were pretty special and the cold was amazing but I'm judging this in a UK context and as such it is quite unusual from the last few years point of view as we have not seen truly cold weather for a few years and it may bring problems but it also brings along benefits too that we enjoy for many reasons. 

24th January 2018

Yesterday was about as weird a day as it get's for about as many reasons that I care to forget but with some real high's and very few lows and one of those peaks is to be found below:

Despite what appears to be quite a boring scene from a country view, if you look toward the bottom and enlarge the picture, you will see the birth of a Rainbow to which took about 4-5 minuets to open up into a perfect arch but as I was driving along and heading for West Yorkshire and the town of Huddersfield, I saw this out of the corner of my eye and not having my camera was a problem but today the cameras we all have on our phone are very good at capturing snaps or moments in time such as this very well indeed. Below are some follow on moments of the Rainbow as it created such a spectacle in the skies above Yorkshire and a splendid moment in which to put into my special moments in time that I will never forget for a long time to come.

The bonus with this picture was the bright blue skies that came as part of the package and changed very quickly to grey and eventually the dark of night and I was very lucky to capture this moment with such clarity on a phone.
The Rainbow eventually covered a large area across the blue sky and as you will see below, it kept fading in and out a little due to the light conditions and changing of wind direction and wet conditions that were to follow but all in all I was quite impressed with one of those miracles of nature that we take for granted so often as just a part of life.

The image below whilst a little affected by the light, shows in the distance the famous Emley Moor TV tower that is quite the spectacular landmark and can be seen for miles around on a clear day.

29th January 2018

It's been a bit of a fast start to the week for some reason and whilst it is only Monday, I do appear to have managed to get a lot done in a short space of time for some strange reason. It's not a moan or complaint, more a pat on the back for getting on with it to which on a Monday was quite encouraging. My week ahead is generally guided and influenced by others as I need to speak to someone from overseas but am struggling to locate of connect with them. I always find with people overseas that because of the time difference and culture and prior commitments, it just becomes very frustrating and hard work and I often find myself looking in the mirror and telling myself to be more patient...........but I confess it has little affect on the final outcome. I have had some good thinking time over the weekend and my thoughts were focused upon a very special person in my life of whom is a Doctor and based outside of my country. They are suffering with a natural disaster and my thoughts are with them through these special moments as they are about to start working at an "All New Practice" from Monday and as a result of this natural disaster, it has made travel and daily routine very difficult in so many ways. Sometimes we just don't stop and think what it must be like to live under the present danger of the earths many faults and imperfections and coming from the UK where these things are almost unheard of, makes it even more shocking when our friends far away are so badly affected by these daily problems of which we have little if any understanding.

 Has anyone noticed how quickly this year is moving forward, it seems like only yesterday that we were all shouting "Happy New Year" and yet we are knocking at the door of February already. In many ways, it's a stark reminder of just how short a time we spend on Earth and how much we should value that moment in time that is so precious and yet we all so often treat is so wastefully by not enjoying the moment. Time is the one thing that we cannot replace no matter what. I always justify this by saying to people that the time we spend with our families and especially our children is far more valuable than the money we spend on them, I know as I grew up in a world where I was crying out for attention to which I never got except from my chosen friends and that feeling of emptiness is something that can never be replaced in later life. It has a lengthy and lasting affect in so many ways and depending on how your life and time was spent, defies if your life is filled with positive or negative memories in which to reflect and look back upon. I am often reminded of this with my own children and no matter what time they want with me, I give it as the pain of rejection is something I know all too well and I never want them to feel that no matter what. If there is any advice I can offer parents that I truly believe, it is that no "Play station, Nintendo or any other Video Game" will ever replace the memory of being in the park with your child and a ball. I guarantee it....!! Try it, your children only want your money when they can't get your time.

The Storm Has Passed At The Gates Of Heaven

2nd February 2017

Today is a short message but on the which I truly feel is an important one for those who are fighting there own demons and voices in the dark and wish they would simply go silent or fade away into the dark.

I am so often asked "How do you find the strength to carry on after what you went through" and my reply is a simple one. "It's because so many people are so loving and so supporting with words of kindness and encouragement to keep going" and for that reason alone, I keep going because I do not want to give them a reason to feel let down. If me keeping going gives them an ounce of strength to deal with there lives, affairs and gremlins, I will somehow find that extra bit of strength that they gave to me to keep myself going and them the encouragement to follow my path, even if I don't have any map or instruction to the road I'm on.

If I were to offer one piece of my life and some may say wisdom, it would be to say that if you believe in yourself and have faith in something, be prepared for all the criticism and prepare for the glory when that day finally arrives. Everything is possible if you have the drive and determination to make it happen. I wasn't brought up with money, good education or family connections. What I have today is through my own efforts, hard work and self belief. Never loos sight of who you are, where you started and who you met along the way. Not all people are good and not all people are bad, we are a mixture of good and bad, it's your job to work out who not to be involved in. The good are very good and the bad are very bad but the big problem is the good never say they are good and the bad pretend to be good and that is the major difficulty. The bad will tell you the good are bad and the good will say nothing about the bad as wisdom gave them the great gift of allowing you to find out for yourself and as such they kept silent throughout.

 The gift of life is something that if you are reading this is something that many people wished they still had as there time ended yesterday and as such we should all be grateful for the ability to enjoy the smell of fresh air. Never aspire to be something you are not and don't judge others by race, creed or colour but only by who they truly are. I always say "if the root to all Evil is money", "why does the church always ask for money". Call me cynical if you wish, you are entitled to your own opinion. I am well known for my great faith and deep belief but only in humanity, in people and in kindness but not always religion in it's recognised form. I hope people don't judge me for those words, they are not meant to offend but simply to offer my personal view of how I see life from my side of the fence.

I was asked recently "How do you manage to climb these great mountains of achievement with no safety net or rope". I will try to explain that in my own way of expecting nothing in return. I learned very early on that my problem was self confidence which many would not agree but deep inside I feel very lonely and sad. I always reach out to hold someones hand which is more in support than friendship but what I have learned is that the mountain I am climbing whilst holding someones hand is getting harder by each step. This is because I am not getting support but in fact carrying too much wasted baggage and it just makes the journey much longer, harder and with the only reward to be shared by the person to whom's hand I'm carrying. 2016 made the change in my pathway which signified no looking back. I have one person in my life to whom will come with me to the gates of heaven and with no looking back. This person is not baggage but a breath of fresh air who has fought there own demons along the way and provided me with the gift of love to which there is no price to pay. If you find one good person in your life, you are truly blessed as there is no feeling like this in the world and my world is complete in the knowing it took a long time to feel this way but I finally feel love, compassion and comfort through this one person whom I truly miss today and every day until they are here with me which is very soon.

The Silence Is Finally Broken

21st January 2017

I was out walking today when I suddenly noticed and change in the air and a break in the silence that suggested that Spring was just around the corner. I am a great believer that we can all learn a lot by watching and observing nature and despite the fact that it is all around us for most of the time, for most people, they are blind to the obvious signs of change and for me, the first one I noticed was the sound of the birds all making it clear they were around and ready for action. Bird's by default do not make noise unnecessary as it can make them vulnerable to being lunch for a bigger bird, so the only reason they take such a risk is to attract the right kind of attention and not the wrong and the reward is to find a mate. It also is a signal that spring is near and nest building time is close. If you step outside in the next few days and are in the northern hemisphere, enjoy the broken silence of the bird songs while you can as they soon go silent again.

I would like to give a little mention to the new President of the USA Mr D Trump whom set forth his task to the American nation and of which I do not chose to debate but prefer to accept democracy and allow opportunity and fate to take it's role but I do want to remind Mr Trump that it is better to build a bridge than it is to build a wall and and to the right is the reward on offer in the Southern borders to which you may be cutting your nose to spite your face. I do wish Mr Trump every success and only time will tell if it is good or bad for america but he won fair and square under the USA system and I do feel that people should refrain from the protest and verbal abuse and allow a new opportunity to take place and not predict the outcome. For those who are so violently protesting, I feel that you demonstrate in every aspect why democracy is the only way as in reality, your way of rejection, dictatorship and self appointment is truly an unfair option to the majority who voted for the change. I for one would say you only prove that you do not accept democracy and simply reject the will of the people and "Shame on you".

In order to balance up the scales a little, I would like to also comment on the speech to which our Prime Minister made this week which was at least an attempt to be inspirational and only your own point of view or opinion will interpret that as an individual. My own view was that it was very late coming and almost said in anger as an acceptance of rejection from the EU to make and real progress. On a personal note, I also felt it was too obvious that it was going to happen as our last PM also tried to bang the heads of the un-elected EU officials who also reject democracy and without any success. Then what say our new attempt when the last one failed in such style. Move on and step forward, not backward and at least lets start planning for a new venture in an open not closed market place.

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The Countdown Starts Now and Launch Is Closer Than Ever.

30th December 2016

This is a typical view over the Yorkshire & Derbyshire moorland in the middle of winter. The sky was quite blue and the sun was dropping to the west.

Its getting quite late in the afternoon and as you can clearly see, the Sun is settling down for the night in the distance.

These guys were super curios in the end and drowned out the silence with there constant Ba ba baaaa but it was quite funny as they looked liked they knew what each one was saying. The light was good for photography and I wish I had brought my camera, as it was, I just had my phone with me to at least capture a record of the moment.

Looking west and down the valley toward the distant rolling hillside of the Derbyshire border. In the bottom of the valley is Dam Flask of which is a great sight to see when the sun goes down as it creates a very dark looking stretch of calm water that is very mystical.

Above, the sheep had just been provided with there daily feed and it was clearly gratefully received as it's going to be dark in about 2 hours and very cold tonight

Looking down upon Dam Flask provides a view and impresion of just how low the lake itself is. The water always looks so black because of the shadows created my the hills as the sun drops in the distant background.

Looking back across the lake at the start of dusk provided the lake with so many features of colours to which I now regret not bringing my camera with me. However, my phone captured the moment admirably and I can't complain.

The sound of silence is only broken by the deafening sound of extreme silence. This time of day always creates such a spectacle of colour over the lake with the clouds appearing to be pink in the reflection of the lake..

Is The World Going Into Freefall Madness.

22nd December 2016

"What the Hell is Going On"................is the world going crazy?. In one week I hear that a Rusian Ambasadore to Turkey as assasinated by a Turkish Security/Police officer, followed by a mass killing of the German shoppers in an open air market in Berlin. "What is all this insanity about". It's suppsed to be the season of goodwill to others which is not a specific religious festival or tradition, just a simple simble of hope to all to show a little kindness to others and for some reason this is a signal to certain types to take presidence to this and kill others..!!. All I can say for them at this stage is I hope they are forgiven one day and come to terms with what they have done.

I have a theory about bahaviour and responses to action etc and it is a none proven theory but I susspect that if put to a vote, the majority may well agree with me and that is that love is better that hate and peace is better than war but for some weird reason, Politicians have not worked out how to profiteer or gain power through peace, unly war and dictation for some reason. For those who are contemplating anger, frustration or response to power struggles, please tell me that the picture to the left would help to calm you down in some way and not make you more angry and to that end I will feel my theory is 100% proven and successful in your individual case. If you disagree, please leave your reasons below in the space provided.

If you did write in the space provided or silently disagree, perhaps you saw the truck in the background and not the lady.......

The UK is poised and awaiting a major storm to hit our shores, I say poised but in truth I could not give a toss as in reality there is nothing I can do about it, However, I suppose it is better to be prepared in the old fashioned way of fore armed is to be for-warned but in this case it is just strong wind, rain and snow and Im sure that Eskimo's would laugh is they say it and simply take it all in their stride. Here in my part of the world (Yorkshire) we generally take it in our stride as snow is expected for Santa to do his work and we love a good moan about something and the weather is always a great reason for conversation of some kind.
I heard a story break today that whilst it will turn stormy and cold for the next few days, it will be unusually warm on Christmas day.

I am still at a point in time where I have not decided exactly what I am going to be doing at Christmas but suffice to say it will be a bore and non exciting in so many ways. However, looking forward to the horrizon, the New Year has much more values atatched to it in my world and for me, it can't come around quick enough but whilst Im waiting, the Christmas festival does give me a good excuse to smile with a cold beer while watching the time go bye and prepare myself for a long time with no beer while focusing upon duties more pressing. It is common knowledge that I am in the process of a move and over the Northern border allows me some special changes in my life and as such I am focused upon whiskey and strange money with free prescriptions and sensible people for a few years. My final location yet to be confirmed but probably already decided for so many logical reasons.

 This week brought me an amusing moment of crazy where I passed a local house of preaching in West Yorkshire (Bradford) and noticed a pile of sandles and shoes, which in itself was a little strange to me but when I saw what was atatched to the bike stand, I found myseld even more amused and as such felt compeled to take a picture for my own amusement in which I now share with you all in the hope that you see the humour and not to critisise the insigator. In order to balance up the tone of this joke or humour, I have placed another picture below of an even more rediculous situation to which made me smile as the logic of such an idea of assuming this would prevent the vehicle being removed, stolen or otherwise is beyond even my wildest imagination, However, it did make me smile.

Please remember it is the season to be merry and have a wonderul Christmas and stay safe so we can all meet up back here in the start of another week of humor and sarcasm.