So, you know this 1400 year old corpse we were going to see? Well, it was more like 5000 years old, Neolithic, anyway and there were twenty two bodies.
And finding it was… interesting. In hindsight, we perhaps would have benefited from having an Ordnance Survey map. But, you know, there’s getting it right, and there’s having fun.
Being Mothering Sunday, the chances of getting into eat anywhere was unlikely. Therefore we planned to pop by Tesco’s deli to get food on the way home.
The National Trust Handbook doesn’t give useful things like co-ordinates, or post codes, or specific directions. All we had was ‘Coldrum Long Barrow’ which was apparently quite near Trottiscliffe. So we picked a likely looking road and programmed it into the sat nav. And ended up between a tractor and a plough in someone’s barn.
Obviously not being in the right place, we headed into Trottiscliffe. And there in the centre was a pretty little sign pointing to Coldrum. So we followed the sign, eagerly looking out for brown National Trust signs and ended up in Vigo. Anyone else having Lord of the Rings thoughts? Hmmm, perhaps only us LotR geeks.
Anyway, we followed the only brown signs we could find which took us to Trosley Country Park. Which looks kinda nice actually, apart from the vast quantity of dog walkers and the poo they left behind. I went and asked for directions, while Chris checked out the underside of the car after all the incredibly vicious speed bumps in the area. I found two not terribly bright, but incredibly helpful young ladies who were able to tell me that we needed to go back to the centre of Trottiscliffe, locate The George pub (which is very obvious), and ask for directions in there. Marvellous idea. A random person suggested that there were signs on the way back into Trottiscliffe which couldn’t be seen on the way out, which was the way we came.
We failed to spot any signs either way, but located The George easily. Very nice man behind bar helpfully provided us with drinks, and informed us that while they were fully booked for lunch, we could eat in the bar if we so wished. We enquired about Coldrum Long Barrow and was met with a blank look quickly followed by ‘ooh-arr, you be meaning them Coldrum Stones, then.’
Okay well, maybe. Who knows? He gave us directions to the stones and we rewarded him by buying lunch. Much better than Tesco’s deli any day. After a lovely lunch, and armed with the knowledge that these Stones were just a couple of miles away, we walked along the road to Coldrum. Now, when we’d gone by car, the signpost in the centre clearly said Coldrum was in one direction, however, when one stood directly underneath the signpost, it became clear that it was in fact at a slight angle indicating that it was in fact down a completely different road.
Once we one got to Coldrum, the National Trust signs suddenly started popping up all over the place, and gave us confirmation that Coldrum Long Barrow, and Coldrum Stones were one and the same. After walking through a couple of swamps, a couple of fields and a deep and gloomy forest, we burst out into sunlight where a bunch of rocks sat on top of a grassy knoll. They looked like they’d been lurking for quite a while. On approach we had spotted a group of three people taking pictures of each other sitting on the rocks.
The rocks are surrounded by a very neat wooden fence, and by the time we arrived these three people were suddenly on the outside of the fence scuffing their toes all innocent like. After checking carefully around the area and finding no signage indicating that one was not allowed beyond the fence, we climbed over and took our own pictures. The three people immediately relaxed and Chris helped them take group shots. It was a small monument thingy, but quite spectacular in an understated way.
On the return walk, we followed our noses and discovered footpaths making the journey much shorter. A very good thing, as the last two hundred yards was plagued by strong winds, preceding the sleet with hail that hit just as we entered the car park. Excellent timing.
I took camcorder, but forgot to take the lens cap off.
Sunday 18 March 2007
Fingers and junk
Two weeks later and my nail extensions *are* still firmly attached, despite the bowling. I’m very impressed, even though I’d specifically wanted cheap and nasty so they’d fall off quickly. Am slowly learning to type with them, but y’know, scuse typos.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, but when stumbling out of restaurant late on a Saturday night with the girlies, I trapped three fingers violently between a door and a wall. Don’t ask how, no clue. Upshot is, middle finger bone chipped. Is it bad of me to wish that I’d had to have a splint so I could legitimately give clients, er, I mean ah, people who wind me up the finger? Anyway, so even more, scuse typos.
Bowling was a lot of fun. I successfully maintained my superior bowling skills by coming last, although it was tough. At least three others were competing for my crown. 27 in all turned up, three more than expected. Getting there was an experience. It was in Gravesend, and we were all told that the address was on their website. So, using various methods, (sat nav, map, multimap, autoroute, following nose) we all independently found ourselves wondering around a very dark, very creepy industrial estate. By heading for the nearest bright light (Asda) we managed to come accidentally stumble upon the bowling alley at the far side of Asda. According to the girl behind the desk, the online address is wrong, but they didn’t know that until that week.
Thanks to mum and dad, we discovered Blakes. We had a really lovely afternoon, stuffing our faces and sampling some very fine whiskey. We also got to admire the new projector. Mum’s presentation was coming along beautifully and we ran surprisingly good quality film from my camcorder through it. An excellent day all in all.
Bills eggs definitely got ate. Possibly by the snails. The girls are showing no indication of having more eggs yet, although Ben did claim residence of the tower for a short while.
Diana had her hair cut for mid back to shoulder length. It looks nice.
Last Saturday we did just about nothing. Neko (tabby/white cat) has become a cuddle monster of the highest order.
Sunday we decided to go for a walk. We tried to book lunch at The Coastguard but it was full, so we went to Blakes instead, where we had a lovely lunch. Armed with Chris’ National Trust card, we went up to Langdon Cliffs, parked up and walked to the Lighthouse. We spent time stalking a dive boat that kept throwing its shot line over and picking it back up, presumably trying out various wrecks and finding the visibility a bit non-existent. We were also buzzed by a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Plane. Twice. And a skylark tormented Chris mercilessly by singing at the top of its voice, yet failing to be seen. Note attached a couple of pics as evidence of our walk.
The work aquarium has had its first Naming of a fish. It’s a teeny weeny 2 cm baby albino bristlenose, and she’s called Nu-Nu (or however you spell it), after the vacuum cleaner in the Teletubbies. It suits her. I will point out that I’ve never seen the Teletubbies *coff*, really I haven’t…
Dominique had her hair cut, from mid back to shoulder length. It looks very nice.
Decided to try and introduce two loaches again, to help with the snail problem.
Have decided to get my hair cut. Pixie cut I think as I don’t do things by half, and I hate shoulder length. Chris hates the idea, but then again, he’s never had to get vast quantities of wet hair through a very tight latex neck seal.
Went out to dinner with Judith last night, which was very nice.
Believe it or not, for all that I love driving, have been driving for almost fifteen years and can almost parallel park, I have never ever had to park a car in a garage. Attempted this feat last night and failed. Garages are overrated anyway.
We’re planning to go exploring the gravesite of some 1400 year old bloke near Maidstone today. Anyway, happy mothers day.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, but when stumbling out of restaurant late on a Saturday night with the girlies, I trapped three fingers violently between a door and a wall. Don’t ask how, no clue. Upshot is, middle finger bone chipped. Is it bad of me to wish that I’d had to have a splint so I could legitimately give clients, er, I mean ah, people who wind me up the finger? Anyway, so even more, scuse typos.
Bowling was a lot of fun. I successfully maintained my superior bowling skills by coming last, although it was tough. At least three others were competing for my crown. 27 in all turned up, three more than expected. Getting there was an experience. It was in Gravesend, and we were all told that the address was on their website. So, using various methods, (sat nav, map, multimap, autoroute, following nose) we all independently found ourselves wondering around a very dark, very creepy industrial estate. By heading for the nearest bright light (Asda) we managed to come accidentally stumble upon the bowling alley at the far side of Asda. According to the girl behind the desk, the online address is wrong, but they didn’t know that until that week.
Thanks to mum and dad, we discovered Blakes. We had a really lovely afternoon, stuffing our faces and sampling some very fine whiskey. We also got to admire the new projector. Mum’s presentation was coming along beautifully and we ran surprisingly good quality film from my camcorder through it. An excellent day all in all.
Bills eggs definitely got ate. Possibly by the snails. The girls are showing no indication of having more eggs yet, although Ben did claim residence of the tower for a short while.
Diana had her hair cut for mid back to shoulder length. It looks nice.
Last Saturday we did just about nothing. Neko (tabby/white cat) has become a cuddle monster of the highest order.
Dominique had her hair cut, from mid back to shoulder length. It looks very nice.
Decided to try and introduce two loaches again, to help with the snail problem.
Have decided to get my hair cut. Pixie cut I think as I don’t do things by half, and I hate shoulder length. Chris hates the idea, but then again, he’s never had to get vast quantities of wet hair through a very tight latex neck seal.
Went out to dinner with Judith last night, which was very nice.
Believe it or not, for all that I love driving, have been driving for almost fifteen years and can almost parallel park, I have never ever had to park a car in a garage. Attempted this feat last night and failed. Garages are overrated anyway.
We’re planning to go exploring the gravesite of some 1400 year old bloke near Maidstone today. Anyway, happy mothers day.
Saturday 3 March 2007
Fish & RIBs
19th Feb went to eye clinic. My left eye is now ready to have the implant tweaked to eliminate the reflection I have. Just got to wait for date now. Excellent drive both ways.
In my fishtank, my three Bristlenoses are being quite entertaining. Bill, the only male who has become very large and whiskery is being very hopeful. He has taken up residence in the tower, and much like the shop windows in the red light district of Amsterdam, awaits in the doorway for a female to come and lay eggs inside. Ben, my little albino girl Bristlenose obligingly laid a batch of eggs… in the wrong place. Under the heater instead of in the tower, where they were promptly eaten by a very happy Keyop (large white silver molly). As Jill pointed out, perhaps the fact that historically Bill spends a lot of time lurking behind the heater confused her. Bill continues to lurk in the doorway.
Weekend of 24/25th Feb, in a slightly impromptu manner, we had a girlie weekend and overanalysed much Supernatural and indulged in some ah, philosophical analysis of NCIS.
Boink kicked Bill out of tower and laid some eggs. Bill is now taking his duties as dad in residence very seriously, constantly tending to them, fanning them and guarding against marauding Keyops and snails.
Weds 28th Feb went to Brighton. Fortunately didn’t have to be there until 2pm, and so was well aware of the gridlocked motorways. Went cross country instead, via Hastings, leaving Ashford at 10.30 (anticipating much traffic). Arrived Brighton 1pm after distinct lack of traffic, although what little there was consisted of; a double decker bus with only one gear, a tractor towing a JCB and a sixteen wheeler lorry that really didn’t belong on that dinky road that goes through Winchelsea and took half an hour to negotiate that really, really tight hairpin bend. Journey back was possibly a tactical error as I gather the motorways were no longer gridlocked, although perhaps not as there was an accident near Gatwick and another on the M25 at that time. Still, only two hours back despite the nose to tail first gear shuffle just outside Brighton. Plus, from Rye to Ashford, played with a Subaru Imprezza. For a variety of reasons I’d decided to take Chris’ Skoda, Leah, and she kept up very well with the Scuby and we had a lot of fun, actually, but shhhhh! Don’t tell Chris…
Last night Mel came around for dinner which was lovely and we caught up with her uh, wide and varied love life.
This morning it seems that Bill has left the tower. If this is so, then its looking likely that the batch of eggs has failed. A depressed Bill with droopy whiskers is a very sad sight, so I hope not.
Today, we hit the River Medway in Medsac 1 to practiced boat handling. Andy, the Dive Officer was taking Chris and I, plus Ian V was coming along for the ride and to get in any experience he could. Unfortunately Ade (Branch Twat) decided that he was bringing out his baby RIB too. So, in the interests of safety, we nominated Ian V to go with Ade, whilst the rest of us took Medsac1, and we would stick roughly together. I started off in the drivers seat (mostly because that was where I’d parked my bum out of the way whilst the big strong boys launched her from the trailer and slip, at least that’s my excuse…), and took her out onto the river. We bimbled around waiting for Ade’s boat which seemed to be taking its time and I took the opportunity to practice the ‘coming alongside’ manoeuvres, which seemed to be a lot easier than last time so I was quite pleased. Eventually, Ade joined us and we pootled gently thru the 6 knot area. We checked Medsac1’s radio, all good, selected the agreed channel to communicate with Ade and found that communication wasn’t happening. His radio seemed to be kaput. Not good, not happy, but it was a flat day, and we agreed to stick together; we weren’t going far.
Hit the delimited sign and the throttle pretty much at the same time and decided to see if I could remember how to do high speed donuts and figure eights. Yup! No problem. Haven’t learnt high speed man overboard yet tho, so good job the boys hung on.
Learnt how to use the echo sounder by putting Medsac onto mid-river mud bank. Most impressed with Chris and Andy jumping out into the three inches of water and pushing Medsac back into deep water. I even remembered to wait until they were both back in the boat before hitting the throttle. We laughed as we realised that Ade had followed us straight onto the bank.
Learnt how to use the GPS as it took us to the wreck The Bulwark and worked out (all by myself) that the GPS is set to how the crow flies, and therefore we needed to follow channel markers to take us around the river to it, rather than try to plow straight through Kingsnorth power station.
At the Bulwark, I agreed to swap boats with Ian V, so that Chris could get his practice in, and perhaps Ian V could have a little go too. Ade, who is a lovely guy when not being Branch Twat, can be incredibly chauvinistic and doesn’t believe women should be behind the wheel or helm of anything. But I get on quite well with him on the whole and he invited me to helm his boat. He gave me strict instructions on the use of the throttle, and threatened me with dire consequences if I stalled it. I was shaking in my boots, and throttled up. And the more I throttled up, the slower the revs got. Until it stalled. Ho hum, felt like twit until Ade realised that he’d run out of fuel. So, not my fault, phew! Threw over anchor, and watched Ian V doing donuts around us while Ade got second fuel tank out and mixed it up, swapped with empty tank, and pulled the cord to fire up the engine. Nothing happened. And when I say nothing, I don’t mean it didn’t fire up, I mean that it didn’t even catch. The cord just rolled back and forth without actually doing anything for quite a long time before Ade was forced to call it a day. It transpired in conversation that the reason he’d taken so long coming out of the marina in the first place was because the engine wouldn’t catch… *headdesk*
Medsac ended up towing Ade’s boat back to the marina. Which meant that Ian V spent an hour pootling slowly and carefully all the way back, Chris was pretty PO’d at not getting to do any practice drills, Ade was not in the least apologetic and Andy was very carefully neutral – he’s deep that boy!
Now back home, taking a break before shooting up to Gravesend to go bowling. Am slightly concerned that my nail extensions are still firmly attached.
In my fishtank, my three Bristlenoses are being quite entertaining. Bill, the only male who has become very large and whiskery is being very hopeful. He has taken up residence in the tower, and much like the shop windows in the red light district of Amsterdam, awaits in the doorway for a female to come and lay eggs inside. Ben, my little albino girl Bristlenose obligingly laid a batch of eggs… in the wrong place. Under the heater instead of in the tower, where they were promptly eaten by a very happy Keyop (large white silver molly). As Jill pointed out, perhaps the fact that historically Bill spends a lot of time lurking behind the heater confused her. Bill continues to lurk in the doorway.
Weekend of 24/25th Feb, in a slightly impromptu manner, we had a girlie weekend and overanalysed much Supernatural and indulged in some ah, philosophical analysis of NCIS.
Boink kicked Bill out of tower and laid some eggs. Bill is now taking his duties as dad in residence very seriously, constantly tending to them, fanning them and guarding against marauding Keyops and snails.
Weds 28th Feb went to Brighton. Fortunately didn’t have to be there until 2pm, and so was well aware of the gridlocked motorways. Went cross country instead, via Hastings, leaving Ashford at 10.30 (anticipating much traffic). Arrived Brighton 1pm after distinct lack of traffic, although what little there was consisted of; a double decker bus with only one gear, a tractor towing a JCB and a sixteen wheeler lorry that really didn’t belong on that dinky road that goes through Winchelsea and took half an hour to negotiate that really, really tight hairpin bend. Journey back was possibly a tactical error as I gather the motorways were no longer gridlocked, although perhaps not as there was an accident near Gatwick and another on the M25 at that time. Still, only two hours back despite the nose to tail first gear shuffle just outside Brighton. Plus, from Rye to Ashford, played with a Subaru Imprezza. For a variety of reasons I’d decided to take Chris’ Skoda, Leah, and she kept up very well with the Scuby and we had a lot of fun, actually, but shhhhh! Don’t tell Chris…
Last night Mel came around for dinner which was lovely and we caught up with her uh, wide and varied love life.
This morning it seems that Bill has left the tower. If this is so, then its looking likely that the batch of eggs has failed. A depressed Bill with droopy whiskers is a very sad sight, so I hope not.
Today, we hit the River Medway in Medsac 1 to practiced boat handling. Andy, the Dive Officer was taking Chris and I, plus Ian V was coming along for the ride and to get in any experience he could. Unfortunately Ade (Branch Twat) decided that he was bringing out his baby RIB too. So, in the interests of safety, we nominated Ian V to go with Ade, whilst the rest of us took Medsac1, and we would stick roughly together. I started off in the drivers seat (mostly because that was where I’d parked my bum out of the way whilst the big strong boys launched her from the trailer and slip, at least that’s my excuse…), and took her out onto the river. We bimbled around waiting for Ade’s boat which seemed to be taking its time and I took the opportunity to practice the ‘coming alongside’ manoeuvres, which seemed to be a lot easier than last time so I was quite pleased. Eventually, Ade joined us and we pootled gently thru the 6 knot area. We checked Medsac1’s radio, all good, selected the agreed channel to communicate with Ade and found that communication wasn’t happening. His radio seemed to be kaput. Not good, not happy, but it was a flat day, and we agreed to stick together; we weren’t going far.
Hit the delimited sign and the throttle pretty much at the same time and decided to see if I could remember how to do high speed donuts and figure eights. Yup! No problem. Haven’t learnt high speed man overboard yet tho, so good job the boys hung on.
Learnt how to use the echo sounder by putting Medsac onto mid-river mud bank. Most impressed with Chris and Andy jumping out into the three inches of water and pushing Medsac back into deep water. I even remembered to wait until they were both back in the boat before hitting the throttle. We laughed as we realised that Ade had followed us straight onto the bank.
Learnt how to use the GPS as it took us to the wreck The Bulwark and worked out (all by myself) that the GPS is set to how the crow flies, and therefore we needed to follow channel markers to take us around the river to it, rather than try to plow straight through Kingsnorth power station.
At the Bulwark, I agreed to swap boats with Ian V, so that Chris could get his practice in, and perhaps Ian V could have a little go too. Ade, who is a lovely guy when not being Branch Twat, can be incredibly chauvinistic and doesn’t believe women should be behind the wheel or helm of anything. But I get on quite well with him on the whole and he invited me to helm his boat. He gave me strict instructions on the use of the throttle, and threatened me with dire consequences if I stalled it. I was shaking in my boots, and throttled up. And the more I throttled up, the slower the revs got. Until it stalled. Ho hum, felt like twit until Ade realised that he’d run out of fuel. So, not my fault, phew! Threw over anchor, and watched Ian V doing donuts around us while Ade got second fuel tank out and mixed it up, swapped with empty tank, and pulled the cord to fire up the engine. Nothing happened. And when I say nothing, I don’t mean it didn’t fire up, I mean that it didn’t even catch. The cord just rolled back and forth without actually doing anything for quite a long time before Ade was forced to call it a day. It transpired in conversation that the reason he’d taken so long coming out of the marina in the first place was because the engine wouldn’t catch… *headdesk*
Medsac ended up towing Ade’s boat back to the marina. Which meant that Ian V spent an hour pootling slowly and carefully all the way back, Chris was pretty PO’d at not getting to do any practice drills, Ade was not in the least apologetic and Andy was very carefully neutral – he’s deep that boy!
Now back home, taking a break before shooting up to Gravesend to go bowling. Am slightly concerned that my nail extensions are still firmly attached.
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