Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 43
June 13, 2015
I Don't Like Cricket...
I love it! Especially with England playing with such entertaining energy just recently.
Ok, so they lost yesterday. But only just. And a short time ago, faced with such a daunting target, they'd have collapsed like an empty suitcase.
There are many theories in this morning's papers explaining England's sudden change of form. Personally, I think I must take just a little of the credit. Because on Wednesday evening - just before the first of the one-dayers - I availed myself of a rather wonderful offer through my TV provider - TalkTalk - which means that, for the first time since 2005, I can watch live cricket rather than have to wait several hours for a very brief glimpse of the highlights.
Personally, I think such sporting events should be free-to-air anyway. And at just £6 a month, for six months, with no ongoing commitment, they are, almost. I know, I couldn't believe my luck either - and in an Ashes summer!
So, I thought it only right to share the offer here and now with you. If you're a cricket lover or you know someone, and if they take their TV services through TalkTalk (others may be offering something similar, I don't know) then spread the word. Let's all go cricket man again.
You never know, England might just win!
Ok, so they lost yesterday. But only just. And a short time ago, faced with such a daunting target, they'd have collapsed like an empty suitcase.
There are many theories in this morning's papers explaining England's sudden change of form. Personally, I think I must take just a little of the credit. Because on Wednesday evening - just before the first of the one-dayers - I availed myself of a rather wonderful offer through my TV provider - TalkTalk - which means that, for the first time since 2005, I can watch live cricket rather than have to wait several hours for a very brief glimpse of the highlights.
Personally, I think such sporting events should be free-to-air anyway. And at just £6 a month, for six months, with no ongoing commitment, they are, almost. I know, I couldn't believe my luck either - and in an Ashes summer!
So, I thought it only right to share the offer here and now with you. If you're a cricket lover or you know someone, and if they take their TV services through TalkTalk (others may be offering something similar, I don't know) then spread the word. Let's all go cricket man again.
You never know, England might just win!
June 4, 2015
William Denis Browne 1888-1915
The roll-call of artists, poets and musicians lost to the world in the Great War is a long one and many of the names - Owen, Brooke, Butterworth, Thomas, Rosenberg - are as familiar as those of the Battles - Gallipoli, The Somme, Arras - in which many of them died.
But one name is seldom heard. William Denis Browne died on this day (although his service record also records June 7th as the day he was listed missing, presumed killed) in 1915. He was born in Leamington Spa in 1888 and showed early musical talent. He went up to Cambridge in 1907 (Clare College) where his tutor, Edward Dent, regarded him as 'by far the cleverest of the musicians' then at the University.
Browne was commissioned into the Royal Naval Division in September 1914 along with his schoolfriend, Rupert Brooke. Neither were to return from Gallipoli. Browne's body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the CWGC memorial on Cape Helles
Try listening to this - one of his finest songs - without shedding a tear...
But one name is seldom heard. William Denis Browne died on this day (although his service record also records June 7th as the day he was listed missing, presumed killed) in 1915. He was born in Leamington Spa in 1888 and showed early musical talent. He went up to Cambridge in 1907 (Clare College) where his tutor, Edward Dent, regarded him as 'by far the cleverest of the musicians' then at the University.
Browne was commissioned into the Royal Naval Division in September 1914 along with his schoolfriend, Rupert Brooke. Neither were to return from Gallipoli. Browne's body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the CWGC memorial on Cape Helles
Try listening to this - one of his finest songs - without shedding a tear...
May 26, 2015
Fairy dust
We've been away with the fairies. To whit, a tooth fairy has been. I know. I arose from my bed at five a.m. to make sure she'd been. She had. So this morning, in addition to the excitement of finding a dead lump of enamel transformed into a shining coin we had the following philosophical discussion.
What does the tooth fairy do with the teeth?
Suggestions ranged from decoration (think South Sea island head-hunters only safer) to planting them in the gums of babies. After all, there'll be a lot of teeth.
Meanwhile Myownfairy.com has been in touch asking if we'd like a fairy door, like this one.
Of course, we said yes. Just think of the imaginative possibilities! If a mere tooth can be such a source of inspiration, well...
I'll show you where a fairy lives -
She has a tiny house;
She has taken the apartment
Of an absent field-mouse.
She has to hang her washing
On a line the spiders pin
And she wears a pair of slippers
Cut out of orange skin.
She carries an umbrella
No bigger than a pin,
And she bought an empty acorn,
To pack her dresses in.
The petal of a pimpernel
She uses for a frock,
And she tells the time by blowing
On a dandelion clock.
My eldest used to know that verse by heart. Now, she's memorising a million facts about Stalin, Soviet Russia and such-like for 'A' level history.
Where does the time go?
What does the tooth fairy do with the teeth?
Suggestions ranged from decoration (think South Sea island head-hunters only safer) to planting them in the gums of babies. After all, there'll be a lot of teeth.
Meanwhile Myownfairy.com has been in touch asking if we'd like a fairy door, like this one.
Of course, we said yes. Just think of the imaginative possibilities! If a mere tooth can be such a source of inspiration, well...
I'll show you where a fairy lives -
She has a tiny house;
She has taken the apartment
Of an absent field-mouse.
She has to hang her washing
On a line the spiders pin
And she wears a pair of slippers
Cut out of orange skin.
She carries an umbrella
No bigger than a pin,
And she bought an empty acorn,
To pack her dresses in.
The petal of a pimpernel
She uses for a frock,
And she tells the time by blowing
On a dandelion clock.
My eldest used to know that verse by heart. Now, she's memorising a million facts about Stalin, Soviet Russia and such-like for 'A' level history.
Where does the time go?
May 20, 2015
Known unto God
Oh blog, thou art neglected!
And this is the reason why.
It's only a draft cover. But seeing it at least makes you realise that the book itself - and three years labour - is at last closer to becoming genuine, physical reality.
It's about the war. Here's the blurb. And you can read the first three chapters - and leave a comment should you want to - here. I'd love to know what you think.
When the guns stop firing, JACK starts digging - not trenches now, but graves. But will those like him who bury the dead also lay to rest their own wartime ghosts? And what secrets remain to be discovered on the abandoned battlefields of Flanders?
Amid the ruined city of Ypres, one enterprising local has opened what he cleverly calls the British Tavern, and Jack and the men quickly become regulars. The landlord’s daughter, FRANCOISE, takes a romantic interest in Jack as he makes faltering attempts to learn the local language. But Jack’s interests lie elsewhere until the girl becomes another victim of the winter 1919 outbreak of Spanish ’flu and he at last begins to realise that the living matter more than the dead that he is still burying.
But even a year after the Armistice, the Western Front is still claiming its casualties. And when the youngest member of the party, FULLER, is killed by an unexploded bomb during a mysterious night time exhumation, their officer, Lt INGHAM, seems to know more about the incident than he lets on. Jack and an Australian straggler, OCKER, take it on themselves to find out the truth and to administer summary justice.
Finally the British Army packs up and the last few demob papers are issued. But on the morning of his departure, Jack is suddenly confronted with the secret of his own past when a visitor to the cemeteries comes searching the battlefields - for Jack’s own grave.
And this is the reason why.
It's only a draft cover. But seeing it at least makes you realise that the book itself - and three years labour - is at last closer to becoming genuine, physical reality.
It's about the war. Here's the blurb. And you can read the first three chapters - and leave a comment should you want to - here. I'd love to know what you think.
When the guns stop firing, JACK starts digging - not trenches now, but graves. But will those like him who bury the dead also lay to rest their own wartime ghosts? And what secrets remain to be discovered on the abandoned battlefields of Flanders?
Amid the ruined city of Ypres, one enterprising local has opened what he cleverly calls the British Tavern, and Jack and the men quickly become regulars. The landlord’s daughter, FRANCOISE, takes a romantic interest in Jack as he makes faltering attempts to learn the local language. But Jack’s interests lie elsewhere until the girl becomes another victim of the winter 1919 outbreak of Spanish ’flu and he at last begins to realise that the living matter more than the dead that he is still burying.
But even a year after the Armistice, the Western Front is still claiming its casualties. And when the youngest member of the party, FULLER, is killed by an unexploded bomb during a mysterious night time exhumation, their officer, Lt INGHAM, seems to know more about the incident than he lets on. Jack and an Australian straggler, OCKER, take it on themselves to find out the truth and to administer summary justice.
Finally the British Army packs up and the last few demob papers are issued. But on the morning of his departure, Jack is suddenly confronted with the secret of his own past when a visitor to the cemeteries comes searching the battlefields - for Jack’s own grave.
May 11, 2015
Help make moments count this Children’s Hospice Week
Almost 50,000 children in the UK live with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, one that in some cases may mean that they die young. Children’s Hospice Week (this week: 11-17 May) is the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for families caring for seriously ill children and celebrating the organisations that support them.
Led by national charity Together for Short Lives, Children’s Hospice Week brings together the UK’s 53 children’s hospices and children’s palliative care services and this year focuses on helping children and families make every precious moment count. Together for Short Lives is calling on the public to support Children’s Hospice Week by sharing a memorable moment on social media, using the hashtag #momentscount and to support their local children’s hospice service.
This year Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has offered a supportive message for Children’s Hospice Week, as Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH):
“For families of children with life-limiting conditions, every moment is precious and every memory needs to be cherished and celebrated. Children’s hospices strive to create happy moments in the most difficult times any family could face. I hope you will join me in supporting Children’s Hospice Week and work to make every moment count for all of our families.”
Children’s hospice services are all charities that rely on donations to provide their specialist care and support to children and families across the UK. Without public support, families may lose this vital life-line. Together for Short Lives aims to ensure that services, like children’s hospices, are here to support families today and in the future, every step of the way.
For more information on Together for Short Lives and Children’s Hospice Week please visit: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/chw
Led by national charity Together for Short Lives, Children’s Hospice Week brings together the UK’s 53 children’s hospices and children’s palliative care services and this year focuses on helping children and families make every precious moment count. Together for Short Lives is calling on the public to support Children’s Hospice Week by sharing a memorable moment on social media, using the hashtag #momentscount and to support their local children’s hospice service.
This year Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge has offered a supportive message for Children’s Hospice Week, as Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH):
“For families of children with life-limiting conditions, every moment is precious and every memory needs to be cherished and celebrated. Children’s hospices strive to create happy moments in the most difficult times any family could face. I hope you will join me in supporting Children’s Hospice Week and work to make every moment count for all of our families.”
Children’s hospice services are all charities that rely on donations to provide their specialist care and support to children and families across the UK. Without public support, families may lose this vital life-line. Together for Short Lives aims to ensure that services, like children’s hospices, are here to support families today and in the future, every step of the way.
For more information on Together for Short Lives and Children’s Hospice Week please visit: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/chw
May 10, 2015
It's good to TalkTalk
Picture this. You're away from home. You've just found out a once-in-a-lifetime must-see TV programme is about to start... and there's no way you can watch it.
Although I watch little in the way of TV (I've just broken my TV news fast, sustained for the entire duration of the General Election campaign) there are some programmes that I have to see. With TalkTalk fibre-optic broadband I can catch up easily enough. But there are still times when you want it 'taped', when you need a recording, something you can keep indefinitely and not have to fret about thirty day download self-destruct settings or similar.
But if you're away when they're on and if you didn't know and hadn't programmed the YouView box...
Then simply click 'record' on the YouView App on your phone and - hey, presto! - when you get back to base the programme of your choice will be waiting on the hard drive. It's that simple. And reliable. And wonderful.
Although I watch little in the way of TV (I've just broken my TV news fast, sustained for the entire duration of the General Election campaign) there are some programmes that I have to see. With TalkTalk fibre-optic broadband I can catch up easily enough. But there are still times when you want it 'taped', when you need a recording, something you can keep indefinitely and not have to fret about thirty day download self-destruct settings or similar.
But if you're away when they're on and if you didn't know and hadn't programmed the YouView box...
Then simply click 'record' on the YouView App on your phone and - hey, presto! - when you get back to base the programme of your choice will be waiting on the hard drive. It's that simple. And reliable. And wonderful.
May 8, 2015
Good Morning Britain?
So, all that hot air, huffing, puffing and endless, tedious, navel-gazing broadcasting and... what have we learnt, eh? What do we now know as the Balls stop spinning and the murky Westminster waters start clearing? Allow me to sum up the situation as I see it. I'll be quick. I promise. In fact, I'll sum it up in one sentence. It is this:
You don't get what you vote for. It's a cliché, but...
You get what media moguls make people believe (and just remember how they do it). Like him or loathe him, Ed Milliband stood up to the Murdoch empire and paid the price.
You get what corporate bosses and fat cats pay for - want to donate to another election, anyone?
And you get what a weird, out-dated election system dictates: 4 million votes for UKIP = (so far) 1 seat; in Scotland, the 'SNP Lion' certainly roared but the party only garnered 1,434,291 votes and yet won 55 seats.
For all their expertise and exegesis and analysis, the pundits and the experts and the Westminster wonks got it wrong. It isn't a hung parliament. It isn't even close. There won't be another election later this year. What's the point of all that endless analysing?
For what it's worth my analysis is this. This the end of the UK as we know it. And it's the end of the Tories, too. Scotland will vote to leave the union. The Conservatives will implode over the Euro referendum. And one day, in the far distant future, in a post-Murdoch, kinder era, we'll realise that Ed Miliband, quite possibly, may just have been the best Prime Minister we never had.
You heard it here first!
You don't get what you vote for. It's a cliché, but...
You get what media moguls make people believe (and just remember how they do it). Like him or loathe him, Ed Milliband stood up to the Murdoch empire and paid the price.
You get what corporate bosses and fat cats pay for - want to donate to another election, anyone?
And you get what a weird, out-dated election system dictates: 4 million votes for UKIP = (so far) 1 seat; in Scotland, the 'SNP Lion' certainly roared but the party only garnered 1,434,291 votes and yet won 55 seats.
For all their expertise and exegesis and analysis, the pundits and the experts and the Westminster wonks got it wrong. It isn't a hung parliament. It isn't even close. There won't be another election later this year. What's the point of all that endless analysing?
For what it's worth my analysis is this. This the end of the UK as we know it. And it's the end of the Tories, too. Scotland will vote to leave the union. The Conservatives will implode over the Euro referendum. And one day, in the far distant future, in a post-Murdoch, kinder era, we'll realise that Ed Miliband, quite possibly, may just have been the best Prime Minister we never had.
You heard it here first!
May 5, 2015
More tea, vicar?
Children’s charity, Action Medical Research, is again calling on you and your friends, schools, colleges and businesses to enjoy a cuppa as part of its annual fundraising Cream Teas in a box campaign.
Wonderfully scrumptious and refreshing British Cream Teas will be delivered directly to doors on Thursday 18 June 2015.
This year, the perfect afternoon pick-me-up (which comes in a box priced just £6) will contain two freshly baked scones, two small jars of strawberry jam, Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream, and three strawberry crème chocolates, as well as the more traditional Yorkshire Tea, knife and serviette.
Tracey Edwards, Action’s Cream Tea Events Manager, “Come on, why not take a tea break for charity? You know you deserve it! Place the minimum order of 10 to bond over a brew with friends, other mums, or colleagues and help raise funds for sick babies and children. The choice of scone topping is yours – jam and/or cream, or maybe have ‘tea with a twist’ and choose banana and chocolate sprinkles!”
The charity’s mascot, Paddington Bear™, likes his scones piled high with marmalade, Dr Dawn Harper, from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, likes hers with more ‘real strawberry’ than jam and BBC Correspondent Katie Adie likes a ‘classic’ (with jam either on top or underneath).
Celebrity chef Lesley Waters is once again supporting the Action Cream Teas. Well-known for her regular television appearances on Ready Steady Cook and This Morning, Lesley is also a former Head Tutor of Leith's School of Food & Wine, author of several Cookery Books, and runs her own cookery school. Lesley’s ‘twist’ is that she’s often partial to a savoury scone with cheese and her home-made Tamarind, Pear and Date Chutney (recipe below). She says:
“I’m delighted to be supporting Action Medical Research’s Cream Teas because, quite simply, they taste delicious. Traditional fare for a perfect afternoon – splendid! Just put the kettle on, relax, have a chat and help raise vital funds for the children’s charity.”
Order online by 5 June 2015: www.action.org.uk/cream-teas
May 1, 2015
Music to your ears?
My post ten days ago about the Sony Walkman® NWZ-A15 Hi-Res MP3 player plus Sony MDR-1A Headphones ('every dad should have one... especially if staying in a caravan) seems to have gone down well at Sony HQ. They've now offered me the selfsame rig to give away to one lucky reader.
Have a look at what I thought of it first. You can read the review here. Then, if you fancy having a go at winning one yourself, enter the giveaway below. There are the usual range of entry options -liking my Facebook page, tweeting about the competition, commenting on this post and such-like.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a look at what I thought of it first. You can read the review here. Then, if you fancy having a go at winning one yourself, enter the giveaway below. There are the usual range of entry options -liking my Facebook page, tweeting about the competition, commenting on this post and such-like.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Win Sony Walkman® NWZ-A15 Hi-Res MP3 Sony MDR-1A Headphones
My post ten days ago about the Sony Walkman® NWZ-A15 Hi-Res MP3 player plus Sony MDR-1A Headphones ('every dad should have one... especially if staying in a caravan) seems to have gone down well at Sony HQ. They've now offered me the selfsame rig to give away to one lucky reader.
Have a look at what I thought of it first. You can read the review here. Then, if you fancy having a go at winning one yourself, enter the giveaway below. There are the usual range of entry options -liking my Facebook page, tweeting about the competition, commenting on this post and such-like.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a look at what I thought of it first. You can read the review here. Then, if you fancy having a go at winning one yourself, enter the giveaway below. There are the usual range of entry options -liking my Facebook page, tweeting about the competition, commenting on this post and such-like.
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
