We moved into our for ever home about 3 - 4 months ago, always knowing that the kitchen needed a major upgrade. So we upgraded it and here are some before and after pictures for you to appreciate!
Blogger decided to show my images in reverse order. Never mind!
I caught a drawing bug off a page on Tik Tok some time ago and I have been creating these kinds of drawings for a long time now.
My latest drawing, finished last night, has no name and it comes first and then others: 100 views of my iPhone, my Teddy Bear, Rare Ink Drawing (original is blue)
Some of my drawings are dated and some are not. There are many more that are not shown here!
We have led the world in many areas over the centuries but this is the current state of play in at least some parts of the British Civil Service.
I had a tax problem to settle and it wasn't working well for me so I called the tax office and they told me that they were under staffed and overwhelmed
I had a tax problem that simply wouldn't go away so I called my tax office and Mr N (I even remember his name!) told me we are under staffed and overwhelmed with work.
Having suffered for two full months from Civil Service nonsense, I called them. They asked me why I was calling today and I explained. Her first response was, you've guessed it ... we have a backlog of thousands of cases ... I wish I could have played her the song, Tell me the old, old story ... I bit my tongue and we resolved my problem, I think. As she closed the call, she rightly asked me if there was anything else she could help me with, I finished by saying, if everything works in the way that you have said, I have nothing more to ask. Polite, civil, completely unnecessary.
DW
2nd August 2025
That fabulous mathematician, lyricist and entertainer, Tom Lehrer has died at the grand old age of 97. I was introduced to Lehrer by one of our two bone hopeless history teachers at school: he left me with that legacy at least!
Anyway, Tom Lehrer, look at his works if you don’t know him. He did something for everyone!!!
Duncan Williamson
29 July 2025
I just read an article on how Gordon Ramsay cooks Basmati rice. It’s a joke.
Basmati is a fragrant rice yet he smothers it with not one but two strong spices. He then gives a rice to water formula that does not compute. Then he boils the rice for ten minutes with the lid on, takes his spices out, fluffs it up and calls it cooked.
He even doesn't know how to wash the stuff.
DW
3rd April 2025
Mrs W is famous in the family for making and taking phone calls that rattle around the car and the house like a peal of thunder.
In the kitchen this evening, it happened again so I asked her: do all of your friends a relatives live in loudland?
Guffaw!
DW
3rd April 2025
Every now and again, I go to look for my past to see how it has developed. Last night I did just that and I came across this story:
I also remember Duncan Williamson, my instructor in Financial Accounting. My personal experience with him was very interesting. There was the last exam, which I could not attend due to personal circumstances. I asked the professor beforehand to let me take it separately, so he gave me a very interesting assignment to complete.
It was financial statements of 20 unnamed companies from different industries. I had to determine which statement belongs to the aviation industry, which to the hotel management sector or oil and gas production, and so on. No other hints.
At first, I was shocked. How can I possibly identify these companies? Luckily, there was and still is a great library _____. I spent three days there trying to identify sources of information. Fortunately, I found a guide from Robert Morris Associates: a guide to all US companies from different industries. I checked the list and was more or less sure in 10 companies. For example, one balance sheet had very large indicators in leased assets. I realised that most likely these are airlines, because airlines lease their planes. Thus, I was certain in half of the answers and the second half I just completed by trial and error.
I ended up getting a B. I was very happy. I remembered this assignment for the rest of my life. I realised that even without any knowledge in the very beginning you could come to solutions by searching for information.
I am grateful to this professor for giving a chance to not fail the course and for giving me such an interesting assignment.
I have to admit that I do not remember that story but it clearly meant some thing to my former student, wh is now the deputy CEO of a major bank!
DW
28th February 2025
It's a day to see me as others see me.
Firstly, a software updated version of a photo of myself:
I saw this 1962 Land Rover parked in the street and could not resist taking this photo.
Lucky for me that the owner and restorer just happened to come out as I was there so I had a chance to share a few insights with him.
Year of manufacture 1962
BHP 60 ... 60!!
1,500 post restoration miles
Fully restored including air conditioning!
I don't think I've ever seen a Land Rover in that colour before and I found it stunning!
He's turned it into a sort of a song kaew for his daughter and her friends!
A great find!
DW
9th February 2025
It's almost thirty years since I first started to watch Schindler's List and said to a friend of mine then that I had only watched the first half of it and I thought it was a terrible story, in spite of all of the hype at the time.
My friend said, no, you'll understand once you've seen the rest of the film. Well, I have seen the second half of the film now and my friend, Carl, was right.
It is both an horrific story and something like redemption: is that the right word?
Lesson learned, don't form a judgement until you know the whole story and I'm glad I watched it all the way through now.
DW
9th February 2025
Over the weekend just gone, we took a trip to the Phetchaburi River: about 30-40 minutes' drive from our home in Hua Hin. Here are some of the photos I took of the various places we stopped at and I am sure you will find it as attractive as I did.
We didn't go there but there was a camp site near to our first port of call and I am sure it is a bit of a dream to set up camp somewhere like that. Remember, this is Thailand and even though it is officially winter, the lowest temperature in 24 hours is something like 25 degrees and the maximum 34 degrees. You're not going to need to be togged up like a Himalayan Mountaineer, are you!
We skimmed stones here: I got 7 skims on one attempt. The kids all got, PLOP! Yet to learn how to do it properly.
Here is another spot, just down the river a short way:I have always loved the structure of trees like this one: you can see from the label it is a Yellow Oleander. It's the roots that grab me!
There you are! A lovely spot and we went on to a quad bike riding place near here. Everyone else went but I stayed at the base camp! I would have done something that only a clot would have done! They enjoyed themselves anyway.
Good trip!
DW
4th February 2025
Yesterday we went to buy Abi a new pair of football boots. As we arrived, a sales assistant was standing at their counter, hunched over her phone. We stood there for a couple of minutes discussing this and that. The assistant didn’t move.
Mrs W asked the assistant something and she slowly turned around, still tapping away in her phone. Mrs W asked again … tap, tap, tap.
I said, OK, let’s go somewhere else and we left.
In a similar situation, years, ago, I left that shop and never went back.
DW
24 Jan 2025
I made a simple stew comprising half a sliced onion, sliced celery sticks, thinly chopped carrots, half a can of chick peas and half a can of green peas. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan then add the onions … soften … add the celery … soften … add the carrot. Then add the chick peas and peas and simmer until the carrots are cooked to your liking. I added a small packet of Thai stew made from plants.
Once cooked, I set this aside for a couple of hours to let the flavours develop.
Meanwhile, I thinly sliced half an onion a fried it in a small amount of oil until it was heavily caramalised.
Return the stew to the heat and add coconut milk to create a a runny sauce that you will now reduce to your preferred consistency.
Serve your stew with mashed potatoes or rice or buckwheat. Sprinkle the onions on your potatoes and the stew.
DW
5/1/2025
Another latte story!
Three out of four days I went to Starbucks and this happened as I was served by the same server each time.
Day 1 I ordered hot latte and an oatmeal cookie. I got hot latte with oat milk. No biscuit
Day 2 I ordered a hot latte. Pause to look at the food cabinet. And an oatmeal cookie. I got what I ordered.
Day 3 my turn arrived and the server asked, hot latte grande and an oatmeal cookie?
Satisfactory!
DW
12112024
As I understand it, a cafe latte is milky coffee. So, I drink it almost every time I go to a cafe or want a drink away from home.
The other day, I went to 7/11 and ordered a latte. Their delivery rider was given the job of making my coffee. He made the coffee and then frothed the milk.
I saw him pour in the coffee, about half a cup’s worth. Then I saw the milk going in: a few drops slithered out and he scraped out the froth with a spoon!
Definitely not cafe latte!
This takes me back years to Manchester Airport, airside. I stood in the queue at Starbucks as an older woman ordered a latte. After a short pause, she added: and can you put milk in it ;). The barista smiled and I smiled and she got her wish
DW
11th November 2025
A while ago, I stayed at a hotel I have stayed at many times. I’ve even received loyalty gifts from them.
The last time I stayed there, with my family and these days we take two rooms since they don’t have family rooms, all was well.
Then, to check out. Everything was clear and we waited for the shuttle bus. Suddenly, a check out clerk with a face like thunder said I had to pay for the KitKat that one of the kids took … I had no idea they had done that and they all denied it, of course. I paid without hesitation.
On the way home, I realised that in the room I used, I had left two pots of yoghurt and some bananas in the fridge. In the feedback form, I asked them why they had dashed to charge me the small amount for the KitKat but made no mention of the items I had left in the fridge?
It rankled with me, I have to say.
DW
Halloween 2024
