tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54161611396935272582024-03-11T03:23:48.405+00:00White StuffThe thoughts and trials of a don't know daddyBarry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.comBlogger2130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-12021510456995696462023-08-19T16:40:00.003+01:002023-08-19T17:10:51.259+01:00Prime time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpoOwNmO0DZPvzoHPT-tXqG2cFGDfSt33LSEn_7RbP7yGr9oXR5IZsx29UzflDtBlbdiO_I2UbShVjNW5KXIe9mCHa4JR2Z4RbsJZg7TD6g6FJKFVzxYzGU5d6iyHsbH04NjIZuNULl571I4dejbXOpPIvix3noegCagqmISrY5dBb3n2kuEhUjLsNyc/s1512/Penguins%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1512" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpoOwNmO0DZPvzoHPT-tXqG2cFGDfSt33LSEn_7RbP7yGr9oXR5IZsx29UzflDtBlbdiO_I2UbShVjNW5KXIe9mCHa4JR2Z4RbsJZg7TD6g6FJKFVzxYzGU5d6iyHsbH04NjIZuNULl571I4dejbXOpPIvix3noegCagqmISrY5dBb3n2kuEhUjLsNyc/w400-h300/Penguins%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And they're back.<p></p><p>Yes, the Prime Penguins returned to Yorkshire from South Korea in the early hours of yesterday morning and posed for one final group pic before going their separate ways. </p><p>It wasn't the World Scout Jamboree they or anyone else expected. You may have heard. </p><p>Poor preparation of the event site coupled with a shortage of provisions, record high temperatures and a looming typhoon led to its evacuation after only a few days.</p><p>But things were not anywhere near as disatrous for the overall experience as many news outlets would have you believe, at least not for Unit 37 of the UK Contingent. </p><p>After returning to Seoul, they saw many sights from up high...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgQEnoaTAAYuh_Vt6_H6eKD83Z9CP6nRFmVA3EiLxZ8zWAeUlpxYAbHG_YSnMM7mLcBkZhCLUoOz8NVh84aFfXj12OjGYIGxDT1TdpWEv2CDtxV_sOiTqfJ4fEA_28lVszrwD_pSaclbEizBN1UburTrVTWqGFzGJwV_YsmFIr03KKrFXZlMQ274Qfwc/s1024/Penguins%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgQEnoaTAAYuh_Vt6_H6eKD83Z9CP6nRFmVA3EiLxZ8zWAeUlpxYAbHG_YSnMM7mLcBkZhCLUoOz8NVh84aFfXj12OjGYIGxDT1TdpWEv2CDtxV_sOiTqfJ4fEA_28lVszrwD_pSaclbEizBN1UburTrVTWqGFzGJwV_YsmFIr03KKrFXZlMQ274Qfwc/w400-h300/Penguins%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>..and down low.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3uWvf3byK1heLvoa4b93r9Pr5SA_18Zn-Ea_1Cy-yVrS_Zj9566xRktF1aXMONcm5Klabvh-kMOHMGhG74xYa_crgVxN9f_RslGkFLD9xJxPjkuaILQ8XtfmK5anrUKGOOH0Bmk-yi1k7Gv6y0LMqp-K-0e3doL20O84IrEu0zMVp0ncvrhzIwzgMqA/s960/Gangnam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="960" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3uWvf3byK1heLvoa4b93r9Pr5SA_18Zn-Ea_1Cy-yVrS_Zj9566xRktF1aXMONcm5Klabvh-kMOHMGhG74xYa_crgVxN9f_RslGkFLD9xJxPjkuaILQ8XtfmK5anrUKGOOH0Bmk-yi1k7Gv6y0LMqp-K-0e3doL20O84IrEu0zMVp0ncvrhzIwzgMqA/w400-h226/Gangnam.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They ate together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmI5iZbsngTfR2vQIp9w9rkl-vtJdZ-diJUBsXso1fWi7G-DBZuMB-e1YK2U3ASPahwj1F2vFYrrGdjTAmOPmCQyEM78D8FbNIOBhT-zrICMiZqpUBNdtgzqSM6XarNEe44cZSpa3WGk7dsxjxAC5XXOKHJawhP7yhpUofTPXvvRrmrewoeKYpB__BAQ/s1600/Penguins%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmI5iZbsngTfR2vQIp9w9rkl-vtJdZ-diJUBsXso1fWi7G-DBZuMB-e1YK2U3ASPahwj1F2vFYrrGdjTAmOPmCQyEM78D8FbNIOBhT-zrICMiZqpUBNdtgzqSM6XarNEe44cZSpa3WGk7dsxjxAC5XXOKHJawhP7yhpUofTPXvvRrmrewoeKYpB__BAQ/w300-h400/Penguins%203.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>They sang together.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iZpZ78lXR2jxpRJRSRLtQTe04mPNN0ZAwGw1glDv9X4bwXf5MC1UUIav_2YRGjavg5s9k2F5idv8zLZmdkLVtSZCbPh4kotxhLFrqE1GVYWj3G3gnajU-qZf7oeyM3VKvO-QPU8wUIjrRV22LTwMmnKgD8rCsE9Bwc8RbfgIWTR2XlXuAJ6_JEoIavA/s960/Penguins%207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iZpZ78lXR2jxpRJRSRLtQTe04mPNN0ZAwGw1glDv9X4bwXf5MC1UUIav_2YRGjavg5s9k2F5idv8zLZmdkLVtSZCbPh4kotxhLFrqE1GVYWj3G3gnajU-qZf7oeyM3VKvO-QPU8wUIjrRV22LTwMmnKgD8rCsE9Bwc8RbfgIWTR2XlXuAJ6_JEoIavA/w400-h300/Penguins%207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>And they even had the chance to dress up. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-YEWwtkqhGGigauaSOeUYBzaknLRGRNp789b2R__3ht_fS07VQzMANpz9ea7Rv7qqOu2EmAIC4gXcxSRQ19h9PZ1sL52zbKhYnOdkLU8hRIcWUFuAduMYEapmY873dubw5ifawGtOkjhjWbQmmqUF0VBkHUPcw0S5J9riNcvg0Of96yWJJ-hgi6zqZA/s1503/Penguins%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-YEWwtkqhGGigauaSOeUYBzaknLRGRNp789b2R__3ht_fS07VQzMANpz9ea7Rv7qqOu2EmAIC4gXcxSRQ19h9PZ1sL52zbKhYnOdkLU8hRIcWUFuAduMYEapmY873dubw5ifawGtOkjhjWbQmmqUF0VBkHUPcw0S5J9riNcvg0Of96yWJJ-hgi6zqZA/w300-h400/Penguins%202.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />I'll leave the storytelling to Jamie, who will be more than happy to talk about his experiences - just as soon as he remembers what continent he's in.</div><div><br /></div><div>But for now, sincere thanks from him and us to everyone who supported his adventure. We're forever grateful. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJCfLbNQCVGlMXZcG6F_66X33YcL3xzvg_LKzso094uAKuu9V9ur3PsGD5H2kOaWLjjX8Hicv0zdBYivOcHaFs1WY2j2aFqlaymGBNPGSb8VlqAK8StdVdnu58JFFzIHS0QE-3Ez2Go4ZnvBbMItBx2XFKVtIsuPY3iG3kYloNbhiMs6qqfBVlKEcZY/s1600/Jamboree%20flag%20portrait.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJCfLbNQCVGlMXZcG6F_66X33YcL3xzvg_LKzso094uAKuu9V9ur3PsGD5H2kOaWLjjX8Hicv0zdBYivOcHaFs1WY2j2aFqlaymGBNPGSb8VlqAK8StdVdnu58JFFzIHS0QE-3Ez2Go4ZnvBbMItBx2XFKVtIsuPY3iG3kYloNbhiMs6qqfBVlKEcZY/w300-h400/Jamboree%20flag%20portrait.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-34364079446643075122023-07-29T13:19:00.004+01:002023-07-29T13:31:58.384+01:00Heart and Seoul <p>Good afternoon from Guiseley where the local time is 1319. The local time in Seoul is 2119.</p><p>Meanwhile, the time in Frankfurt is 1419. I tell you this because Jamie and his fellow members of World Scout Jamboree Unit 37 are currently in Frankfurt Airport before flying to South Korea in less than a couple of hours from now.</p><p>Vanessa and I were up shortly after 2am to cart Jamie to Castleford where he boarded the coach to Manchester Airport.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uczdmtbYM0inuKdDZYEbsL_iB0otAdfnqztu5gGsj2bBqz2NAZwRoAnjPJKC_kdHgJGaM5T7dL_citzApnZ-n_3Aw58cbHCZ-ws9EeZ16goRjBJnHe5CRpubXJHozrz33ie1w4sjERRFeIRhfn0lZDZEXQr8MvjhJ58kwc2Bwc72ogMsyxNoERSebxA/s3848/Prime%20Penguins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="3848" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uczdmtbYM0inuKdDZYEbsL_iB0otAdfnqztu5gGsj2bBqz2NAZwRoAnjPJKC_kdHgJGaM5T7dL_citzApnZ-n_3Aw58cbHCZ-ws9EeZ16goRjBJnHe5CRpubXJHozrz33ie1w4sjERRFeIRhfn0lZDZEXQr8MvjhJ58kwc2Bwc72ogMsyxNoERSebxA/w400-h217/Prime%20Penguins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>He'll be gone for just under three weeks. The Prime Penguins (as his unit are known) are due to land in Seoul mid-morning tomorrow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFuWfDBH2AakgJBkYTyFBVRdfuaF1AgpFWRcfk1MNEYYJYfDWp84MWb-zDBUOawTrzblVY3s_F1UlcRjmIONmKFGFW3IMjDH4l4MgmP32Dm65mph1Y52NbKxO-Vqu1Adkk9UL9trYLJR5jtHzV-gUVTRKEWhLK7tKmIfOBYRIqMybc5aeN21ASTNQjq4/s1024/PP%20logo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1022" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFuWfDBH2AakgJBkYTyFBVRdfuaF1AgpFWRcfk1MNEYYJYfDWp84MWb-zDBUOawTrzblVY3s_F1UlcRjmIONmKFGFW3IMjDH4l4MgmP32Dm65mph1Y52NbKxO-Vqu1Adkk9UL9trYLJR5jtHzV-gUVTRKEWhLK7tKmIfOBYRIqMybc5aeN21ASTNQjq4/w399-h400/PP%20logo.JPG" width="399" /></a></div><p>Then it's two nights in the capital before heading into camp to join more than 50,000 scouts and leaders from 158 countries for the 25th World Scout Jamboree.</p><p>They'll be there for 12 days before the Prime Penguins have another three nights in South Korea - including a visit to the infamous DMZ separating South from North - before arriving back in Manchester on Friday 18 August.</p><p>Needless to say, it will be a trip of a lifetime. </p><p>On behalf of Jamie, I want to say a massive and heartfelt thank you to everyone who enabled him to go.</p><p>It begins with the kind people who attended Charlotte's Christmas cake sale in December 2021 to kick off his fundraising efforts just a few weeks after he was chosen to attend.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh57eALgV0zZfLll0dkAUisE8mvu3ojg6E9uRk7tWniJYNGY2Mad2cEBt2TSruL4yM2LQFQCUoMNhHxQDpzr-eqz6w_QCbo3bAMlx04A_Yhvpbp3iSBYcPF4r6gviG5qfb3xaRkNB6IEzz30VP_gs2ymaDNrvNiCFLPXz8cZWSDqXHkDEM1GLMnq55CI/s4032/cake%20sale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh57eALgV0zZfLll0dkAUisE8mvu3ojg6E9uRk7tWniJYNGY2Mad2cEBt2TSruL4yM2LQFQCUoMNhHxQDpzr-eqz6w_QCbo3bAMlx04A_Yhvpbp3iSBYcPF4r6gviG5qfb3xaRkNB6IEzz30VP_gs2ymaDNrvNiCFLPXz8cZWSDqXHkDEM1GLMnq55CI/w400-h300/cake%20sale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>To those who took part in or donated to Jamie's 12-hour Spinathon in July 2022 (or bought one of Charlotte's second batch of cakes). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JNKjDmQbKL2nzHtlmXx3D58qqjCeqxzcvw9RoN-Rdp0y7V46XKyZRfW86Io2xyAoY_F0dhGj545Z0smdcZi0oA95VihXwC7yhwEdDJgZ4VvLTgC7XvbH-k8XK-TwDBVPJqM-xniN5cVMYnyDPfjKBW0yJQD6pPpNfCf2EoHXwV7RrPq-lzUnzDDSF4M/s4032/Spinathon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JNKjDmQbKL2nzHtlmXx3D58qqjCeqxzcvw9RoN-Rdp0y7V46XKyZRfW86Io2xyAoY_F0dhGj545Z0smdcZi0oA95VihXwC7yhwEdDJgZ4VvLTgC7XvbH-k8XK-TwDBVPJqM-xniN5cVMYnyDPfjKBW0yJQD6pPpNfCf2EoHXwV7RrPq-lzUnzDDSF4M/w400-h300/Spinathon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>To those who attended his pub quiz or played in the band on that very special night in January 2023. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEc8fuVJwAb4jUmWTC-FUrdWQ9XF0RGrg8JKcof4MCiOHA3VNksyK0dKgJkcxoFAcU0Xi8cYIbfVZ4sFJSwWyO5DsGCbIrw3Q3R-Hgk3LynBF-NY8yQFAtljx3hpXFi3DpPgv5aFFTZzeMSqicSY2EjVPsJ3EtOZhtoU_7sXhT8yjXxq3RyzFa8s62BA/s4032/Pub%20quiz%20supergroup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEc8fuVJwAb4jUmWTC-FUrdWQ9XF0RGrg8JKcof4MCiOHA3VNksyK0dKgJkcxoFAcU0Xi8cYIbfVZ4sFJSwWyO5DsGCbIrw3Q3R-Hgk3LynBF-NY8yQFAtljx3hpXFi3DpPgv5aFFTZzeMSqicSY2EjVPsJ3EtOZhtoU_7sXhT8yjXxq3RyzFa8s62BA/w400-h300/Pub%20quiz%20supergroup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And, of course, to all those generous souls who contributed to his fund - many without ever having met him.</p><p>I also want to give an extra special mention to James Haigh and Kathrin Dunning, the inspirational leaders of 15th Airedale Scouts, who kept the Group active and creative throughout lockdown and beyond. Without them, Jamie would now be sitting on the sofa beside me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIebd2lAbGz3mduXpbT5DBYFzaOcZGyqMDXZCoQugi2n6qjFe548xQq-xw88KtHlDoq7KQwOfKQ4J5y6bQ25x7z595NtuEI2Ya0fOo4XNlAzvlGUxydlSfSPlHH0-E9rv1GlG_713BYdBarAWGdd1o2w5yaJTcVcFDb6wvKNcn5EhSOCg67fNjxy8HWeA/s4032/Setting%20off%20JW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIebd2lAbGz3mduXpbT5DBYFzaOcZGyqMDXZCoQugi2n6qjFe548xQq-xw88KtHlDoq7KQwOfKQ4J5y6bQ25x7z595NtuEI2Ya0fOo4XNlAzvlGUxydlSfSPlHH0-E9rv1GlG_713BYdBarAWGdd1o2w5yaJTcVcFDb6wvKNcn5EhSOCg67fNjxy8HWeA/w300-h400/Setting%20off%20JW.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>He's humbled and eternally grateful to you all. </p><p>THANK YOU!!!</p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-17462939743356510402023-04-01T08:04:00.000+01:002023-04-01T08:04:51.093+01:00Meet Bannside Boy <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Life begins at 40" is a phrase I rarely hear these days. The optimitic part of me thinks that's because people now live longer, making 40 seem much too young to consider doing anything stamped with the words "middle" and "aged." More likely is that most of my friends are now well past 40 and we have an unwitting collective pact to pretend we're not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I am unashamed in my steadfast commitment to sad dadness and this approach has just reaped a surprising result. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Very few people know this (because I wanted to keep it a secret) but, during lockdown, I took up a new hobby. DJ-ing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My nephew, Nathan, moved to New Zealand in January 2020 - just weeks before borders closed around the world. Prior to leaving Belfast for Auckland, he had already built a successful part-time career as a DJ, performing under the name Gammy. He even had a track played on Radio 1. He has continued to achieve on the other side of world, adding the new <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; white-space: nowrap;">persona </span>of Fluid Haunts to his reportire at festivals across his adopted country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">He has done all of this with new equipment, having chosen not to take his old kit with him. So I borrowed it. They say practice makes perfect but, when it comes to my DJ-ing, I wouldn't pretend to be in that cateory. But I have become better than I ever thought possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">That has led to me playing a small number of local gigs under the name Bannside Boy in homage to my beloved Coleraine Football Club, known as the Bannsiders. I've only done short 45-minute sets featuring a mash-up of dubstep, psychedelic trance and children's TV themes. And with great respect to Vanessa and the kids for their generous gifts, yesterday I received the best 51st birthday present any middle-aged apsiring DJ could ever dream of. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngtC0ga3dfexE_PCIvGLcaDazzEshiBuiy3PmNwE9sEXBX8GmIskYRRtw2nxEyH1rv0v4bokIvBSriD_Py0hHMANi2c386d6p2CKO08cfsc4vMLNwtt6Vx2K-bVX12a5MWbRTS3tOMl8-iM1TJaYb3cjOq0mKlaVgC2bX-Q7h4bvFm-rWKblCR7V/s3088/Bannside%20Boy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngtC0ga3dfexE_PCIvGLcaDazzEshiBuiy3PmNwE9sEXBX8GmIskYRRtw2nxEyH1rv0v4bokIvBSriD_Py0hHMANi2c386d6p2CKO08cfsc4vMLNwtt6Vx2K-bVX12a5MWbRTS3tOMl8-iM1TJaYb3cjOq0mKlaVgC2bX-Q7h4bvFm-rWKblCR7V/w300-h400/Bannside%20Boy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been booked to play at the Bingley Music Live festival on Friday 4 August and, not only that, I'm doing warm up for Noel Gallagher who is headlining that night. I can barely believe it.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's only a 20-minute set and I'm not getting paid. However, I do get free weekend tickets for the whole family and a taxi for the short journey there and back on the night of my performance. What's not to like? </span></p><p>Maybe life begins at 51. </p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-47960875548288743672022-08-08T23:06:00.001+01:002022-08-09T09:08:39.143+01:00 Rocks and rollsGreetings campers (although we’re not camping, that’s next week) and welcome to Corfu.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_6da1_3946_8157_1bc0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2bkHgoPVy_EjzReUV0M8q4SE776oe328Bo_Sw0n8-_x4oxXHkhqlqYpHIuBFKfviJXs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div>With Jamie hopefully off to the World Scout Jamboree next summer and possibly doing something else the following summer (don’t worry, no fundraising), this could be our last sunny family trip for a while. So we’re determined to tear the arse out of it.</div><div><br></div><div>I’m thrilled to report that it’s going to plan thus far. Yesterday’s journey across the sea and stuff was spot on. It seems Leeds Bradford Airport - Jet2 in particular - are outdoing themselves, good for them.</div><div><br></div><div>The food’s been great (and not stupidly expensive), the locals here have been chilled and even the sea’s been get-inable (I’m not good with cold water, especially at this age).</div><div><br></div><div>I can swim but I’m not a good swimmer. That’s why I was a bit pleased to make it all the way to the rocks with Jamie, and even make it back too.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_61e0_deac_7cdc_dcd3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CNL7IfvQPaBLLcID0pJzLSBW7alP-c_b_uBXo9rYuFWBKJKTg_KXQ1XWiqAabMXXXho" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>That said, I was late to the party, with Jamie having already made it there and back with his mother and sister only minutes earlier.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_66f0_ed2a_b7a_4ff2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EaZrwd_MpJFwDjYNgBfmqsWHhY7iOIqgjjm-O4gDDzN65rn_vP4IIZALktsaNmGbzM4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Then we went to the pool.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4817_45af_5668_6675" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/D6G-zCfCXmq1TNgqSC8iCK5qJRMy6_HJcstGgR_BaXlHFjYmj_bEpFSaVJEfq2gek58" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Tonight, we had some Greek food, as you/we would.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_202e_fb74_3782_765c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/reaTK63CRAk4p8RFDn7CA3BkhBfthzynvqrUJq5rWNC1jzI7ipJ0czzv6PdXemc0V50" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>It came eventually.</div><div><br></div><div>And afterwards, Jamie met a little kitten.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ed43_27f3_b337_73c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MqXzHGeD0doFPaUnJwj5qgUS97TQAgodrsYAJllV7fLlKtdF7JlbYetQwz0JlNY--4Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>We called him Barry because, in normal circumstances, you wouldn’t even lumber a stray animal with that moniker. And yet we did. </div><div><br></div><div>Before I go, let’s talk bathrooms.</div><div><br></div><div>Here’s ours. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b1e_3630_2531_9a96" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kAabuzNgqdLicBz3wmiQsV93NCiATs8t5YSxUaSjFlXn8vq-yu6vwh77Q7TfN_87ZO0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>It’s been quite a while since we’ve been to Greece so I forgot about the national arrangements.<div><br></div><div>I make two observations.</div><div><br></div><div>First, why is there only one side on the shower thingy? The drain on the floor is there for a reason. (The reason being it’s not a fab idea to have a one-sided shower).</div></div><div><br></div><div>Second, check out the sign above the shitster.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ce3f_a244_c548_38ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DJxcpYQ7LJv9038bi-0heVBoYhBhSJMMSvbtztOPfviKP91LQHo7ax7Ay7HAks6w7ZM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div>The dark depths of my brain reminded me of this state of affairs but let’s not dwell/smell.</div><div><br></div><div>On a practical level, the rule in our resort is that you’ve got to request more hole roll from reception. </div><div><br></div><div>So, because ladies don’t poo, Jamie has been designated as our pipe wipe picker upper because I’m not doing it. </div><div><br></div><div>I’ll be in touch.</div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-75678641829886655742022-07-17T17:14:00.003+01:002022-07-19T15:47:01.647+01:00Job done <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkIRQWjhWHKQ6OkdKihu-L1XBiSHaKHBbkZG1M7obZAWL9n8CLN1Jtw9Z0yOcnIAbqWtVf11E2sRLPuzqz3XhsHSuFbj6eH-RPQQxPGQV1cRPhmLE7bPRB-3orQoYM1iDjNGHvq1KWIzCkDOPQxnMziYUDkqk9yxhAgOnifMkfyquNnv0zDNT9V8p/s4032/IMG_4281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkIRQWjhWHKQ6OkdKihu-L1XBiSHaKHBbkZG1M7obZAWL9n8CLN1Jtw9Z0yOcnIAbqWtVf11E2sRLPuzqz3XhsHSuFbj6eH-RPQQxPGQV1cRPhmLE7bPRB-3orQoYM1iDjNGHvq1KWIzCkDOPQxnMziYUDkqk9yxhAgOnifMkfyquNnv0zDNT9V8p/w400-h300/IMG_4281.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Thanks to the support of many, many magnificent people, Jamie's 12-hour spinathon to help fund his trip to next year's 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea was a huge success.<p></p><p>Indeed, it could not have gone better.</p><p>The sun shone, the flow of people to help with the pedaling and cheer him on never stopped - and neither did the donations.</p><p>If one major pledge of support materialises, it seems that at least £1,000 will have been raised, a simply eye watering amount. We'll let you know a precise figure when everything is in. With £3,800 required for the trip, there is still a lot of work to be done but we are well on the way.</p><p>As well as the pedaling, Charlotte's cake sale was a stormer with every one snaffled well before the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKqMqY5NCtQsRfwXc6fYeMLbSqRQvSD8is6AggAn5Q5iFE_c-V204EQw73z-ijP3u_ucOaTC57uKpXre6Axe7soscYuQ06eCf1X7PcBpIFMSTxKe2aPtQkHTCC6yGGBhuiG8GzR5ne0RG1lcF80pu_fKrAfo6P_CQ8pkd_nTpF3CsgofkU4Ihb4aX/s4032/IMG_4302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKqMqY5NCtQsRfwXc6fYeMLbSqRQvSD8is6AggAn5Q5iFE_c-V204EQw73z-ijP3u_ucOaTC57uKpXre6Axe7soscYuQ06eCf1X7PcBpIFMSTxKe2aPtQkHTCC6yGGBhuiG8GzR5ne0RG1lcF80pu_fKrAfo6P_CQ8pkd_nTpF3CsgofkU4Ihb4aX/w300-h400/IMG_4302.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Leaving Charlotte with time to do a bit of pedaling too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19ljXnZtiO8AXaE3hHwz_9No5pGxsTIJUBecKxOVMCEAtXYtKmAZ4iQ1qdZHTSplBHqmsTh-Mp2ERSBRyWXlyuKO2679-5wXrZFDhW3WsN6QlCTvj8Rvdkr545-2ZwFsnMgGn2MooFbqjcTObYCGz0zwE6bgwDc34RPjr8l_xvCShKOlz9BkI2KlV/s4032/IMG_4300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19ljXnZtiO8AXaE3hHwz_9No5pGxsTIJUBecKxOVMCEAtXYtKmAZ4iQ1qdZHTSplBHqmsTh-Mp2ERSBRyWXlyuKO2679-5wXrZFDhW3WsN6QlCTvj8Rvdkr545-2ZwFsnMgGn2MooFbqjcTObYCGz0zwE6bgwDc34RPjr8l_xvCShKOlz9BkI2KlV/s320/IMG_4300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Earlier in the day, my old mate Paul "Merv" Gail came along on behalf of the Coleraine massive, with lots of donations making their way across the Irish Sea throughout the day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUZxL_SfKiESYcM-b2I7V5oNR9spiC4h9kdKwWpuk_XbI6UFKUFGYCRyjsztF0xSd9JD5y0Yz_0xRqM9eFZTrRGxzIpz3z3f1nLKMedgWAvB6G2bnpjp9kEj4u4w2-E-Yz0xvuEd9RSLM0bjvgesgJmt6QwFp-xV-ceh6esmgCr54Ez1zS5RHfWcQ/s4032/IMG_4250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUZxL_SfKiESYcM-b2I7V5oNR9spiC4h9kdKwWpuk_XbI6UFKUFGYCRyjsztF0xSd9JD5y0Yz_0xRqM9eFZTrRGxzIpz3z3f1nLKMedgWAvB6G2bnpjp9kEj4u4w2-E-Yz0xvuEd9RSLM0bjvgesgJmt6QwFp-xV-ceh6esmgCr54Ez1zS5RHfWcQ/w400-h300/IMG_4250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The most heart-warming moment was when the wonderful members of 15th Airedale Scouts arrived to support Jamie - and stayed for three hours.<div><br /></div><div>Almost all had a go, including James who, along with Kathrin and Harry, have led the pack in such an inspiring way - despite the challenges of Covid.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprvmorjwiT03iYR4y7B--sgwFozkxF2Jw1Gf316G-0qHZDxA4WORZiJExfeh1YyiLJMk4o4QgBiYNlCbZ9FScIB3nUt8g7REHYhi3OwlOC2i4R3RdOd6crYKNESHJWqUIFQYRew9ErCCFg1uQZVU65S2mThFmEbRkZiBRWAw8wD99JGzQVyG5hT7R/s4032/IMG_4292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprvmorjwiT03iYR4y7B--sgwFozkxF2Jw1Gf316G-0qHZDxA4WORZiJExfeh1YyiLJMk4o4QgBiYNlCbZ9FScIB3nUt8g7REHYhi3OwlOC2i4R3RdOd6crYKNESHJWqUIFQYRew9ErCCFg1uQZVU65S2mThFmEbRkZiBRWAw8wD99JGzQVyG5hT7R/w300-h400/IMG_4292.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Without their help, Jamie would not be going to South Korea. He will be forever in their debt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks so much to them and to everyone who has supported him in any way with the spinathon and in other ways. </div><div><br /></div><div>A special mention must go to Rob Rattray at Syno Education, who was lead sponsor of yesterday's goings on, Chris Kempton for providing the extra kit needed for Jamie's bike, plus Guiseley AFC, Wharfedale Observer, Ilkley Gazette, BCB Radio, Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post, Telegraph & Argus, Leeds Live and Bradford Zone who did so much to help us promote the event. We are grateful to you all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thoughts have already turned to what comes next, with a couple of straws in the wind. Full details will be revealed when everything is nailed down but fun will be the prime motivator in what we do.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, <a href="https://gofund.me/7d0007dd" target="_blank">Jamie's GoFundMe page </a>remains open should you have some spare coppers to chuck in his virtual bucket. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you again, you're fab. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-4377617826299174132022-07-10T16:43:00.000+01:002022-07-10T16:43:40.892+01:00In a spin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CQ4LzISsA5a1yFL2neqJdNbqvFvPoTI89RKvkdMXlT2fh6ZlZb6xAz9LD4glC_nxQUzLvy2ZZ0vASQKK-x8zcwLAebN8C55k3FfGK5P78sZan7NH4OrvJjvP1FWf90Tzbn_6jKUG1IcXQ9B4yHU2GKf9laYm8KOWJSwQrs_hwgQUZ_FYmSX65R6Y/s807/Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="807" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CQ4LzISsA5a1yFL2neqJdNbqvFvPoTI89RKvkdMXlT2fh6ZlZb6xAz9LD4glC_nxQUzLvy2ZZ0vASQKK-x8zcwLAebN8C55k3FfGK5P78sZan7NH4OrvJjvP1FWf90Tzbn_6jKUG1IcXQ9B4yHU2GKf9laYm8KOWJSwQrs_hwgQUZ_FYmSX65R6Y/w400-h300/Bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I wrote <a href="https://barry-whitestuff.blogspot.com/2021/11/korea-blimey.html">here</a> late last year that Jamie had been chosen as a member of the UK Contingent travelling to the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea next summer.</p><p>He'll be one of over 40,000 scouts from more than 150 countries around the globe.</p><p>One of the conditions of attending the event, in the best traditions of the movement, is that each scout must raise the costs of making the trip themselves.</p><p>Charlotte held a little cake sale just before Christmas to get the ball rolling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietq7dUYN14ys08jiRGdwAblab_lTulOHVYeTQiWT4sEKomJMTq9Uppm9cZhvXkBo7mHol3sqac6T7SSJc4rx-4JfT4Mn_y1NEZ5MIXPx0lVGVMHyzMnspb05iSRP4Yq76mhNTyhwqNj_AiN0pA0jRnv4_QIUCMB8U_MXp5BbsnOB4OcnSKVs1bcVe/s1030/Cake%20sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1030" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietq7dUYN14ys08jiRGdwAblab_lTulOHVYeTQiWT4sEKomJMTq9Uppm9cZhvXkBo7mHol3sqac6T7SSJc4rx-4JfT4Mn_y1NEZ5MIXPx0lVGVMHyzMnspb05iSRP4Yq76mhNTyhwqNj_AiN0pA0jRnv4_QIUCMB8U_MXp5BbsnOB4OcnSKVs1bcVe/w400-h306/Cake%20sale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Then, in April, Jamie fronted a jamming session at Aireborough Rugby Club with musical friends. That's him on the mandolin beside Andy Smith (left), the brains of the operation. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk59FIsL9v9-RDZ0us5ndHQoS9xuO3dMCwpbecrveccC9u1mJ1arhvqeHc2tFutK7Ldiw0K9wn6JXwiaIrGrhbQsZ-k2hIL6utBJBziHYggXdZWkSFe7k43mVlHCmPR0D0uTsfXcFdVnyMSDZv03GdesVg9PcXXybiY-17l1UXQ62O9Kui41w0Wdf4/s1446/Mandolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1446" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk59FIsL9v9-RDZ0us5ndHQoS9xuO3dMCwpbecrveccC9u1mJ1arhvqeHc2tFutK7Ldiw0K9wn6JXwiaIrGrhbQsZ-k2hIL6utBJBziHYggXdZWkSFe7k43mVlHCmPR0D0uTsfXcFdVnyMSDZv03GdesVg9PcXXybiY-17l1UXQ62O9Kui41w0Wdf4/w400-h263/Mandolin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Act Three of the fundraising thriller will be written on Saturday when Jamie begins a 12-hour spinathon on our driveway. </p><p>Thanks to Chris Kempton, who kindly provided the necessary equipment, Jamie and assorted others (yes, including me) will keep the wheels turning from 8am to 8pm with passers-by gently encouraged to chuck some spare readies into his bucket. </p><p>And, as the good folk of Yorkshire may have read in their local papers, his sister has stepped forward again with the offer to sell more cakes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPsuLJmKwxrI2OasXAaJmL623HaGZ2GmNoGVqaRISz372WzS9I6juLuR1Xt0L8Ug6y5nU5y7JogiJowLfyoHtwC-wB7QE0kiA8fv5UqC4N0FyIu9maC5_9N8cruAvIRJTZR776az1AGEsUX4mST-NW8zC9o2PPaRzylNZLyq7nx91uC2CoZ9DA0qY/s1472/YEP%20crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1361" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPsuLJmKwxrI2OasXAaJmL623HaGZ2GmNoGVqaRISz372WzS9I6juLuR1Xt0L8Ug6y5nU5y7JogiJowLfyoHtwC-wB7QE0kiA8fv5UqC4N0FyIu9maC5_9N8cruAvIRJTZR776az1AGEsUX4mST-NW8zC9o2PPaRzylNZLyq7nx91uC2CoZ9DA0qY/w370-h400/YEP%20crop.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The media coverage - including a long radio interview with Jamie - has really helped to stimulate donations.</div><p>The wonderful Rob Rattray, the main man at Syno Education, has also stepped forward as Jamie's first corporate sponsor. It is greatly appreciated and where Rob has characteristically led, hopefully other businesses will follow by getting in touch with me directly (Tel 07787 514324 or email barry@vanbarassociates.com) </p><p>Jamie also has a GoFundMe page which has attracted support from friends and strangers alike. Should you wish to join them, you can do so clicking on to <a href="https://gofund.me/7d0007dd" target="_blank">THIS LINK</a>. </p><p>Saturday should be a fun day. I'll keep you informed. </p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-484896499783390602022-04-01T10:41:00.001+01:002022-04-01T10:44:16.313+01:0050-year old Virgin<p>Wednesday 2 July 1997 is a date I will never forget.</p><p>It was the day I met Richard Branson and John Major, and appeared on the BBC Six and Ten O'Clock News. (Oh, and I also met my future wife but that's not relevant to this story).</p><p>Yes, Richard Branson. He was hosting a Virgin Atlantic reception in Westminster that night and one of the MPs I worked for took me along as his plus one.</p><p>My experience of meeting my first billionaire was initially underwhelming. First, he had broken his right hand which was in a cast and was reduced to giving guests a rather limp left hand to waggle. Second, as he waggled my hand, he was actually talking to someone else and didn't look at me. </p><p>Unperturbed, I was determined to have a word which I did after a couple of glasses of posh fizz. </p><p>I wanted to tell him about the time he flew over our house in Coleraine in his big balloon in July 1987, after initially touching down in Limavady before landing with a splash in the sea off the coast of Portrush. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZSXSdBApD_qTARbtBaJQBWDg-7gBjaGjlk79R_KIumAK6Pl8PPbrFSLZkRfoWOc4yja4-C7DZtQhmHRnb-wR-t6bRtem0LZAqNAFk94caHdIEJr2sEtLpwFknti7lzRfNjbjLPlAroBfuXpMQZxFKakVPMIRQ1_cnOGeaiNMBR6g8suUk2XCRuaB/s620/Virgin%20balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="620" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZSXSdBApD_qTARbtBaJQBWDg-7gBjaGjlk79R_KIumAK6Pl8PPbrFSLZkRfoWOc4yja4-C7DZtQhmHRnb-wR-t6bRtem0LZAqNAFk94caHdIEJr2sEtLpwFknti7lzRfNjbjLPlAroBfuXpMQZxFKakVPMIRQ1_cnOGeaiNMBR6g8suUk2XCRuaB/w640-h398/Virgin%20balloon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My dad was in our back garden and saw Branson's stricken "Virgin Atlantic Flyer" drift overhead. </p><p>Sadly, I was on the toilet at the critical moment and missed the whole thing, but chose not to share this anticlimactic fact with my host. (To be fair, I'm not convinced this would have heightened his enthusiasm for my monologue which did not appear to be hitting its target).</p><p>We all had to put our business cards in a big bowl as we left (I had a homemade card I designed in the Post Office) and, about a week later, all attendees received a signed letter from the great man to say thank you for coming and what a wonderful company Virgin Atlantic was.</p><p>As the least important guest at the event (on the grounds that I hadn't been invited), I took it upon myself to respond to say thank you back.</p><p>To my surprise, I received a second letter from Branson about a month later, this time a handwritten job on notepaper headed with his home address. </p><p>I make no apology for saying that I have written to him at least a dozen more times over the past 25 years although never received another reply - until yesterday.</p><p>Because last night, when I was celebrating my 50th birthday at home with Vanessa and the kids, a knock came to our front door. It was a courier with a letter for me.</p><p>It was from a gentleman by the name of George Whitesides, Chair of Virgin Galactic's Space Advisory Board. </p><p>Unfortunately Charlotte has taken the letter to school to show her classmates so I'll have to paraphrase. But in short, he said that Richard Branson had told him of my many years of writing to him and he was aware that yesterday was my "special day" (i.e. I had turned 50).</p><p>And to celebrate this "momentous occasion" (I remember some of the phraseology) he was inviting me to "take a trip to the stars" on board one of his Virgin Galactic planes. Goodness knows how much these flights cost but I suppose that's not my problem. </p><p>It takes off and lands in New Mexico where I've got to go for two days' training with the flight on day three. They will cover the costs of getting me there, plus accommodation - further details to follow. Sadly the flight won't be until 2025 - when I'll actually be 53 - but I'm not going to quibble.</p><p>Because for the next three years I can go to bed every night every night in the knowledge that I am to become Coleraine's first spaceman. (Eat your heart out, Jimmy Nesbitt). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkVhE6Vk2DkDVKpky0v5apxUMnaVdOoEeC3DiQGhfgygwQG2RJrG7IILipXEo0EpNl0yl44YUU2wflFH0YdCjqHk__1XE_obDSMOFB0YkV5o2iRWJhLz00tawYGKqcAYajOTPmwT4yd5KcjvPoI8sj39Q_1Yc9duWlQDqp573Ash_6-DAZLFm2jTj/s300/Virgin%20Galactic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkVhE6Vk2DkDVKpky0v5apxUMnaVdOoEeC3DiQGhfgygwQG2RJrG7IILipXEo0EpNl0yl44YUU2wflFH0YdCjqHk__1XE_obDSMOFB0YkV5o2iRWJhLz00tawYGKqcAYajOTPmwT4yd5KcjvPoI8sj39Q_1Yc9duWlQDqp573Ash_6-DAZLFm2jTj/w640-h358/Virgin%20Galactic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-69000491386714396372021-11-14T17:52:00.007+00:002021-11-14T17:56:39.124+00:00Korea blimey <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHHdY-M73M6TQm-ebWRrzpwM1hrsQJ4Dc6Q0wr8nAsoWO56ZZueGlaK0Zop7xMIX04rRBJne_w3-Gais9_5FvHwzj6NjDZ1fJCC6n5_m3rmswjuJpWWue72HLHHj-sJlB-3ivYyqlM2A/s1523/Jamie+Scout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1523" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHHdY-M73M6TQm-ebWRrzpwM1hrsQJ4Dc6Q0wr8nAsoWO56ZZueGlaK0Zop7xMIX04rRBJne_w3-Gais9_5FvHwzj6NjDZ1fJCC6n5_m3rmswjuJpWWue72HLHHj-sJlB-3ivYyqlM2A/w400-h278/Jamie+Scout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I started this blog in the run up to the birth of our first child, who turned out to be Jamie, and chronicled the early years of his life along with his sister Charlotte's.<p></p><p>I haven't updated it much in recent times because I think it best to let both of them get on with what they do without me publicly embarrassing them more than necessary.</p><p>However, less than an hour ago, Jamie received a letter to say that he has been selected as a member of what's known as the UK Contingent to travel to South Korea in 2023 to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree.</p><p>We're just as proud - Charlotte included - as he is excited.</p><p>There is a lot of work to be done between now and his big trip but that journey has now officially begun. </p><p>Well done son. </p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-69333283384362234752021-04-14T15:00:00.004+01:002021-04-14T15:31:37.680+01:00Jab - Chop - Drink<div style="text-align: left;">A notable day today as I had my first dose of vaccine... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_8217_a617_39ea_2336" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7-oTu3Wapn14tnracLzJUhYBYS6pQ8yS-JGJrRUkqS2N1a0vahGxMy_imEGr8DsXc4g" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div>...before getting a long-awaited haircut. <br /> <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_6c92_8643_3261_4681" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eimbkVxQ-grXI7t7f_FEiEJCnPvelp17iutq4qxD_GYI6rbfS-1OEIOGGD1wTUOYgBU" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Lots of others seemed to be following an identical itinerary. </div><div><br /></div><div>Getting vaccinated reminded me of going to vote. I spent some time getting all built up and telling myself that what I was about to do was quite important. And then it was over in a matter of seconds.</div><div><br /></div><div>A dedicated vaccination centre in the centre of Bradford was my port of call, after booking myself in yesterday when supposedly healthyish specimens aged 45-49 were invited to join the queue. </div><div><br /></div><div>The mood was positive and the folks involved in providing the service were every bit as impressive as I imagined they would be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Their professionalism contrasted sharply with my local barber experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>I only go there as there's rarely a long wait, mainly because few other customers choose to visit and the act of getting your hair chopped only takes about 10 minutes. In that short period, a random man who I've usually not met before hacks at your locks with an assortment of metal implements before requesting £9 for his efforts. My rule is to hand over a tenner if I've avoided a blood injury, which was the case today but still a rarity.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was the upside of today's styling experience. The downside was that I now like a grey Gareth from The Office.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJcUCkbUj2ohzTATXCHkAYRrqccjxoU7n32E07E0gsRdOeGec6GsZolGvyyDcnQJ46iGs0e_v7MW3Ozbzrxq33oU4o2Lh4v0KhLvcak7V_Deg8BzcwpRxHx3V9csPNDRQ6lJm2_SDMqQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="599" height="226" id="id_a415_313e_177_24c8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJcUCkbUj2ohzTATXCHkAYRrqccjxoU7n32E07E0gsRdOeGec6GsZolGvyyDcnQJ46iGs0e_v7MW3Ozbzrxq33oU4o2Lh4v0KhLvcak7V_Deg8BzcwpRxHx3V9csPNDRQ6lJm2_SDMqQ/w400-h226/image.png" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Jamie had his hair cut today too, but he went to a proper barber..</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_5886_93b8_777c_7092" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mdgbOzWZndtO1IOy1RdKRUVm8tAUrfTt5i15-QzvAVXSP03A2BLFgAIwYrG1-C2kjr0" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div></div><div>And now looks like this.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_3635_9641_1318_a02c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iidbHHBNuTLkgJTrF21Vgddsqa2uvlAqaMxAUmaV6NwiXJl1sWaT8SsTEktJYk-hY_I" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Have had my jab and a hair assault, I now have a desperate craving to find a beer garden to complete my one day Covid triple crown.</div><div><br /></div><div>I seem to recall that life used to be a bit more complicated than this. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-37513443215493015682021-02-12T17:37:00.009+00:002021-02-12T17:56:31.701+00:00Marching On Together<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPzsgld4Xg41Gsf7IYAXrOKnMnQ4189LtedgOlsJpPg0_wV2NenmdDKhRkPhqh8IkPKLLu0p6E-coTRfUh7uEITGLcpt_WQurmMuAI0-vOD-Sl-QMM-iLtS2bdM03bbda_xq85unvvlI/s1000/Leeds+Tech+Angels+blue+background+logo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" id="id_7932_ef37_893d_5300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPzsgld4Xg41Gsf7IYAXrOKnMnQ4189LtedgOlsJpPg0_wV2NenmdDKhRkPhqh8IkPKLLu0p6E-coTRfUh7uEITGLcpt_WQurmMuAI0-vOD-Sl-QMM-iLtS2bdM03bbda_xq85unvvlI/s320/Leeds+Tech+Angels+blue+background+logo.png" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" /></a></div> <div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been
a "memorable" few days.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I was recently asked to write an <a href="https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/how-leeds-tech-angels-helping-digitally-excluded-children-get-back-track-learning-barry-white-3084001">article</a> which was published on the same day last month by the
Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post. </span><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was about a project called Leeds Tech Angels, dreamt up and piloted by my
big-hearted genius of a friend Ben McKenna.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Helping kids
without access to the internet or a suitable machine has become a huge issue
around the country for reasons we all understand. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, Ben
was already on top of this in the early weeks of the pandemic. First, he helped
establish Digital Access West Yorkshire (DAWY) to acquire, refurbish and distribute unused IT equipment - preferably laptops - to d</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">igitally excluded children in the
region. In the four months from April, DAWY had given over 50
machines to those in need. That took us through until August when Ben gave me a call. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks to support from a gaggle of partners including Leeds Community Foundation, Leeds City Council, Ahead Partnership, Zero Waste Leeds and DAWY itself, Ben was preparing to launch a new project which is now known as Leeds Tech
Angels. It went live at the beginning of December with the aim of encouraging employers and the public to donate any spare laptops and tablets for use by young people across the city who were without one. Ben's busy team of volunteers would then wipe them of data, install new software and get them out to the right homes. My mission was to help promote the good works, a task made easy thanks to incredible levels of support from the Yorkshire Evening Post and its wonderful editor, Laura Collins. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And it was all going well, the highlight being a delivery - just days ago - of a large consignment of top notch laptops from L</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">eeds-based
financial services firm Hitachi Capital. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, on
Wednesday morning, I received a phone call. Around 40 Leeds Tech Angels
laptops had been stolen overnight from a storage facility and the police were on the
scene. </span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnokgfYqHSfOiF1Zb-smn9Bje5BZmWF4h8KBrqS1eaZIXHiVmRvKkpHX52spZCOmWhVdr7MKomJrOkS3MfZX-jbHQEk3jhPeMoDduVNLHiumlre6lXTgB9E2yvH5na4uG1T6W0Mi-Y9zc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" id="id_b7b6_7b38_5f14_cb8b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnokgfYqHSfOiF1Zb-smn9Bje5BZmWF4h8KBrqS1eaZIXHiVmRvKkpHX52spZCOmWhVdr7MKomJrOkS3MfZX-jbHQEk3jhPeMoDduVNLHiumlre6lXTgB9E2yvH5na4uG1T6W0Mi-Y9zc/w400-h300/image.png" style="height: auto; width: 400px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a truly devastating moment. 40 laptops snatched from the hands of deprived kids. Classy.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was no way we were going to let the baddies win although, clearly, we couldn't do it alone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I contacted the Yorkshire Evening Post who ran a <a href="https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-tech-angels-scheme-left-incredibly-sad-after-40-laptops-donated-disadvantaged-school-children-are-stolen-overnight-raid-3130568">great story</a> to help us. We were also put in touch with Leeds United who had indicated a willingness to help. Those conversations took place precisely 48 hours ago.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday morning, Ben set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/leeds-tech-angels">GoFundMe page</a> and, at lunchtime, Leeds United's star striker Patrick Bamford tweeted this.</span></p><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4SZFuqbFBdPNaRcoVtRhbSm9jeTAX0kO53dfRx0ueciyM_LFlkcFvxAwXG89ihX8AaD7cmTOO_6yL6AtdSgqRZ_CwSzhoie4OR-38oGB6sDXupmsUehSThbl8smHyhbvhlvHNQEawsU/s744/Bamford+tweet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="744" height="398" id="id_f7e1_3a8a_f510_67aa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4SZFuqbFBdPNaRcoVtRhbSm9jeTAX0kO53dfRx0ueciyM_LFlkcFvxAwXG89ihX8AaD7cmTOO_6yL6AtdSgqRZ_CwSzhoie4OR-38oGB6sDXupmsUehSThbl8smHyhbvhlvHNQEawsU/w400-h398/Bamford+tweet.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 400px;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since then (at the time of writing), £17,000 has been raised. It would be good to get that total up a lot more by Monday when the draw for Patrick's shirt is likely to take place. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, after the draw, the appeal will go as we want to help as many kids as the generosity of the people of Leeds allows.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once again, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/leeds-tech-angels">HERE</a> is the link to the GoFundMe page.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, if you have laptops or tablets that you no longer need, we'd love to have them too and <a href="https://tech-angels.net/donate/">HERE</a> is the link to explain the simple process.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks if you've managed to read all of this.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">And double thanks if you're able to help </span></p></div></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-36628762978868065792020-12-20T15:52:00.002+00:002020-12-20T15:56:07.009+00:00Bitter pills <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_6771_f74c_35e7_5ddb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/X8N8O-Um2eBwKSc2TNwQ_MTS9_ctT3WEgUmgiSCsn4DHlcAtAW_UxYTQuGVI7tg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /> <div>I ran out of vitamin tablets this morning so went to Boots to buy some more. (I take them because I eat a lot of rubbish and not as much healthy stuff as I should, but don't tell the kids). </div><div><br /></div><div>They had a 3 for 2 offer so it seemed logical to go for that. But I noticed that they only had two six-month packs of normal A - Z pills left. The others were for old timers aged 50+ and I only turn a mere 49 next March. Then I did some maths.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given we're already into late December, it will be almost 2022 when I get through the two "standard" packs. And at that point I'll just be weeks away from my 50th birthday. How bloody depressing. So I dried my eyes, added a 50+ pack to my basket and headed off to pay.</div><div><br /></div><div>In happier news, yesterday was Charlotte's 10th birthday. Quite a moment. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_7156_e39a_3d5a_3bff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sk5JCpdpFqeKkUCSgYp21CNcwXGZj3z089L6SCLeBRBOYfAfbaLzkDJ3w34sP9s" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />She was delighted with her haul, with lots of family members and close friends being particularly kind to her.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_29ba_b85_ded9_2a76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R1QtZpBwT9wS7_PJOgqkiOcfYwXSP1w5g9NJl06QNcJEkPx2uILeWu07R-BDNMs" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />This included her cousin Holly who produced another show-stopping cake with her own supremely talented hands. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_1cac_f0ca_5da1_ce20" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fVyR6SDk3zUfudAIg52cWhvTHp0WwT7qJdQY9Zks2fqgBAoAkNUUIzaZYHvGm_M" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Fuelled by frosting and with little else to do, we decided to have some family fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was the moment Jamie met his little sister in hospital precisely 10 years and one day ago.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSbcOTLGfMf1KSQbLeHzdFJFmin8scCrWBSI7dFYLj9ol4IWPOz19RmgNYMG4AH6fMM18MnpSduJkaraaZkKKy0BvZ4FMXX97l_Yc4Zh-8EHgTwfHU7ZoUyZZxvNaAowlyaowEXosZds/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" id="id_6100_4fe3_1d09_73af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSbcOTLGfMf1KSQbLeHzdFJFmin8scCrWBSI7dFYLj9ol4IWPOz19RmgNYMG4AH6fMM18MnpSduJkaraaZkKKy0BvZ4FMXX97l_Yc4Zh-8EHgTwfHU7ZoUyZZxvNaAowlyaowEXosZds/" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><br />Yes, he was a little bit shocked.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_b1d2_8d1c_a1af_be4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dKN-A2DtD6yB3JVgk8uQeyZKgk2XSCdT7mByO9qVOiQryr0sJYIVXOvnOIy81aA" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>A decade later, he remains baffled by who she is and what she's there for. <br /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_1b60_2f91_ab3d_2f82" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/A0PZLbv8IgHIisJm_JLy2JNZy158aolxYhc5f-IWl0X1a3ONndbapnHWsMxOo1k" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-64327415990158828352020-10-28T14:39:00.000+00:002020-10-28T14:39:00.355+00:00No York, No York<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_d6a8_cafd_e8f6_c0e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7lCWgJlNbT7v4Q7P_Ul4ABDrj9HHiKgDVdU1kwUyGO_kvdH5y-DnfXoPR7CwMqc" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div>Today's Amazon delivery just arrived. It was a tub of screen wipes (which aren't particularly damp and don't wipe up much) and a stapler which is much smaller than I thought and therefore not what I was after. <div><br /><div>I wonder what I can order next?</div><div><br /></div><div>In common with most other parts of the country, it's half-term here in Leeds. But all of our best-laid plans have been scuppered. Twice. </div><div><br /></div><div>The original idea was to spend half-term in Northern Ireland. I haven't been back since March and we haven't been there as family since New Year. The flights were booked in August but, a couple of weeks ago, Northern Ireland was hit with new restrictions including a ban on entering other people's homes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that the whole point of going across was to visit people, there was no point in travelling.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, as a mini-fallback, Vanessa booked for us to spend last Sunday night in York, arriving there at lunchtime. But, late on Saturday evening, she received an email from Jamie's school to say that someone in his form had tested positive for you know what. The result was a mandatory period of self-isolation for Master White until Wednesday 4 November. (This has since been extended by an additional 24 hours). </div><div><br /> <div>Hopefully we'll get to York another time instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>To his huge credit, Jamie is putting a brave face on the situation and keeping himself busy. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_e6da_eb56_47c6_ddf0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lXm8IyYH6X_TnvZmnBukZy4wwyTzev1unzRUN36C19M1pR3aHkdR0qt9jtOiXj4" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />But as someone who likes nothing more than to get outside and be active, another week and a bit of this will be a challenge for him.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Still, as has been the case so far with this blasted pandemic, there are so many more people coping with much bigger challenges than us and we will simply suck it up. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you're getting a bit of respite from all the bad stuff and, like us, looking forward to better times ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div>They will come, you have my word for that. </div></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-26054169859236719262020-09-26T17:27:00.000+01:002020-09-26T17:27:12.650+01:00Action Barry<p>Well, it's all got a bit crap again, hasn't it?</p><p>As Leeds folk will be all too aware, the city has become one of the latest parts of the country to have new movement restrictions placed on its residents.</p><p>We can't have friends or family over, not even into our gardens, and the rule could be in place for many months to come. </p><p>Leeds City Council have also gone a step further than Bozo Johnson by advising locals not to go to pubs and restaurants. It's not backed up by any kind of legal enforcement, it's the Council trying to take a lead and people can make their own minds up. Fair enough.</p><p>In the meantime, we've got to try to keep ourselves busy. My two pieces of physical activity today have been to go to the supermarket. And then go back to the supermarket.</p><p>This was not the plan. This morning's visit was to get what we need for tonight's tea. Exciting stuff indeed.</p><p>The second trip was to get what we need for tomorrow night's tea (Charlotte and I are cooking a two-courser). But I didn't really need to do that today.</p><p>In truth, the only reason I went was to avoid reseeding the lawn. </p><p>I bought the soil and seeds the weekend before the last lockdown, almost precisely six months ago. And since then I haven't been arsed to do the job.</p><p>But I'm determined to enter the next phase of nothingness not doing nothing. </p><p>Nope, its Action Barry from now on.</p><p>Starting tomorrow. Or maybe Monday. </p><p>By the way, I saw this sign outside Morrisons. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_1c99_4eed_90f8_4784" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fIOHbm0SBR0kUCcBovagbt6TNq0wVGiLSIucwcSVpRCsZ4-UKO28NrEuCHvGOg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Really?!<p></p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-21647179074507946792020-09-13T11:51:00.000+01:002020-09-13T11:51:12.061+01:00Belfast gorilla<p>As is my habit on a Sunday morning (I'm a dull and predictable animal), this morning I listened to a recording of yesterday's Pick of the Pops on Radio 2.</p><p>It was special episode with not two but three charts from this week in years gone by. (Exciting, I know).</p><p>It began with 1978 (when Grease was the word), 1987 (when the streets had no name according to Bono and the boys) and 1998 (when the Corrs wanted to know what I could do to make me love them but needn't have worried).</p><p>This was all good until Vanessa pointed out that, despite feeling like yesterday, 1998 was 22 whole years ago. And then I did some maths. I'm currently 48 years old. If you had 22 to that, I'll be 70. What a heartwarming thought that was on a hungover Sunday morning. </p><p>More merrily, the kids returned to school this week which was a positive development for all involved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJHXpj7Vz8QHX0wCXdiMLYFucoPVREMtC14ka1AzqDEyX2WIuVdA1gBeY6qgBdkLCbu1kuv8gJcGvENLqnixjOr0DfqC8bTl-iLFuooBDAw4wf8DAbh_dH6etpENmTXZ_IADNM_B2osA/s640/Back+to+school+pic+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJHXpj7Vz8QHX0wCXdiMLYFucoPVREMtC14ka1AzqDEyX2WIuVdA1gBeY6qgBdkLCbu1kuv8gJcGvENLqnixjOr0DfqC8bTl-iLFuooBDAw4wf8DAbh_dH6etpENmTXZ_IADNM_B2osA/s320/Back+to+school+pic+2020.jpg" /></a></div><p>Let's hope they get to keep going for a few more weeks at least.</p><p>Meanwhile, the increased coronavirus restrictions have not helped people's moods over the past few days, necessary though they appear to be. And it means we've never been in more need of a laugh.</p><p>So thank you to my tiny friend Jason Kyle for sending me this short video which has made me chortle ever since.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyw_aQSGqERVqaHGv1b1R662ocarthZ5OIKmvaqF5Z1GaFtPo7zSm7uEQ4N6osyYEiqQVEWyCOvzEI1KmG4GA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></span></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-20126168610482253752020-09-07T17:17:00.002+01:002020-09-07T17:21:49.527+01:00 Flying the flag for Northumberland <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_46b2_b2ef_b033_dc3d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Lufp8f-66ClDTo2iwXLTT2ZMuqi56alnc5KpWkYQn10ihZgaKNAHIrGPgt8X_7g" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><p>It's the night before the big return to school, for Charlotte at least. Jamie goes back for a bit on Wednesday in advance of his first full day on Thursday. </p><p></p><p>Charlotte is still mildly hesitant about the prospect, but will hopefully settle in well. Meanwhile, her big brother got up early this morning for a "practice walk" before returning to try on his uniform for the first time in more than five months. </p><p>Leeds schools are amongst the last in the country to go back, which has only served to increase anticipation levels.</p><p>But, with time to spare last week whilst other kids crept back into their classrooms, we headed to Northumberland. Thankfully our tent stayed locked in the shed with a nice caravan our living receptacle of choice.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_8d64_cf01_7e9b_d15a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/d1NXfHhhFM_4zSKYm1FSLhiWvO-frqoaiCfxLki8RQBqp_TI15uTdoVwuJVfaJE" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>I do love Northumberland. My three years as a student in Newcastle in the early 1990s left me with a huge love and admiration for the people of the North-East. I was also fortunate to be chosen to represent Northumberland in the 1990 rugby union county championship, pulling on the famous green, red and yellow jersey five times. That gave me the chance to meet fellow teammates from other parts of the county and to visit different places for training and games. </p><p>The Yorkshire Dales are fab, as is the Lake District which we visited last month. But most tourists are well aware of them. </p><p>In contrast, I regard Northumberland as a well-kept secret. It obviously varies from place to place but, in general, Northumberland is not as crowded as some destinations a little further south and therefore feels a little more relaxed. </p><p>The natives also have a wonderfully laid back but self-assured attitude to life and, of course, there is no shortage of wondrous sights.</p><p>We stayed in Cresswell with its golden sands...</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_770e_59e9_bfa0_f292" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dTPeDvsEPJlpfk3mfrStbSY5r0Gi8QXS6LjVdsVE7OG7n-JUrk8TwPHmjxZoWI4" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />...breaking waves...<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_da4c_bf4_275a_ce7f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zKYfRvx4c_2lidxi0hy9g7MgvtIkvcFjneelvBHo5iFyEBIYZEqpLxhKfOdiH9Y" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />...and spectacular sunsets.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_8904_5c14_2bfd_ffa6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WN4Icv0wMVTeJw_M0qIfSzMdJuAIX9kM-9YGhN5v7Bkqg6v1sFd-ZnKp9pi5ffo" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We visited Warkworth Castle...<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_51c2_f261_58a_b4f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j2torlxHt82zSOrnNvd5E9NnqwFL0XeF2OGQecmAU_4kZ7b-mCg8Vx8wwnfzQTI" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>...and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_6991_8cc9_4810_cc76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y6q_mS40jW0uXSxP6XAWU0bwCFO4xSYwUVNut7aUVL6WdwtJUzuW8UIeP6yX9V8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We conquered the stepping stones at Druridge Country Park...<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_9445_4de1_43a4_6825" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2mldP2YgAxDSSZgLFhIdRLY7aAtKrlLoImQ3_QM8wBAyBATdbtQFv3IsWmh60iM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />...went to Alnmouth to celebrate National Fish and Chip Day...<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_de54_a5c6_b2ef_b914" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ekdURjNM1VF-p7tMG3Tjv0BINSyoeQ9-vk8pSKfgtoakNlp1gTC-nPbRwd2F-GQ" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>...and popped into Ashington because I've never met anyone from that famous town who doesn't have an interesting story to tell.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_6701_b38d_2d5c_5a36" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/g_kRhuHRqZ4e-ZgWfcdldGadvPjWjK468UWMr10cPAFGH6ABruslOtvfQfmZNg8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Us being the Whites, we obviously didn't completely miss the rain which fell hardest in Amble. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_f35a_ab22_d3f3_9bf1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xQL8oK3cR-9m_F7-t8s5oU3FG6c4sNiBi63aJqm-0r7La_CNkzrT8DgJd4hyuOI" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>We hoped to go on a Puffin Cruise...</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_875_97e6_5fa3_f33" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nV2egV_H2Ny4vS6rvbx-EOTSGpHKrmNudrd041ZxvCjDdxm1VwW9C_p4EYGPSFE" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />...but Dave was forced to disappoint.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_e95e_4dd1_b1ea_f982" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_h_x03fOFfp3rCxQOdndp-Q2q_XpX9X80ICR6tAf4TJtuK_vWGvuYD2WvkISWrI" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><p></p><p>To stay dry, the kids bought some snazzy clothes from Amble's array of charity shops.</p><p>Jamie looked the part.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_df0_9a01_9cb1_3fba" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z33qyA6gVrJ36fUghQd7MI4W1sz4cxWeVUVtL5QgPzf2UP6iGSgVdAG9m7juAMc" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />And Charlotte did too. It was only later that Vanessa mentioned her "crop top and hairband set" was actually a toddler's dress and belt. <p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_df76_6d6_2a01_9f34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LsVIlvS7bCqi7X-A9TgtEufmBRGA5bS-mOhgr7R9gLzepQ3Da-s7dw6on3s31do" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />And with that, summer 2020 was officially done.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_26f5_1b72_8a0f_62ae" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/n5lcElAXGD_SREFoCwXBlBQVV8iTbmcahQvm8pCWIP1x4SKuPXMmF8w-wNEF3Ts" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><p></p><p>Good luck to all kids, mums, dads and teachers for the big return tomorrow. </p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-51995089824016715622020-08-16T16:09:00.000+01:002020-08-16T16:09:14.138+01:00Home alone<p>Three quarters of the White family are currently in Lytham on an overnight seaside trip. Latest reports suggest that it's not raining there. </p><p>Here in Guiseley - where this quarter of the family unit remains - the rain is about to restart and my plan to paint the garden shed is in tatters. Excellent!</p><p>This "unfortunate" turn of events has forced me to watch the cricket, snooker, Moto GP and Formula One thus far. </p><p>Later I shall feel compelled to tune into the rugby league, rugby union, baseball and football (plus more snooker if the player who's not called Ronnie O'Sullivan makes a fight of it).</p><p>Since my last ramble on here, we hired a motorboat on Lake Windermere and didn't capsize.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_322d_619c_ba81_c00d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/avKITsQhlw8RRptG0IhnylPZLiqb0WjrJtdoQwVMUB5WhM3GkGUECLo2jN0utns" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We embarked on our first "Rishi Dishy," taking advantage of the Government's uncharacteristically generous "eat out to get fat, then go for a bike ride" scheme.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_2bbe_c0db_47a4_d633" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2XzxDNOBvleq3JzJKrvFGt5SMR03XKtyQgK4ihr2zGeUXPUVRyUHj3J1rshkk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We went for afternoon tea to fulfil a commitment Vanessa made to Charlotte at the start of lockdown. (Plus she had a voucher).<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_5346_4875_6b29_d28d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mBX-93vRGFcZCHB9GtLozpEo1z5ECieh56Gxtzd1OaImLZ0NmdMl1fVQNPTcXW0" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />I had two huge boxes of beer delivered.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_f054_5be5_a52d_1804" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Bu6cYTsg0kYNu-guv05Sc9K8N5wrzB9gUKSVE6i4qt_QNLZhOuTD_xJJVRWfZeA" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>Followed by another one.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_8a6a_175_c04b_b975" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bqYnBVztsgLgIZEKqiBEAkkTKjHFiC1GXDz8xn_4szxEja_i1sbWne5HcWmdcvo" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>And most excitingly of all, Charlotte had another promise kept when Vanessa finally allowed her to get her ears pierced. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_667a_84bc_972c_19d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DvOulXclLQ-4yb5u7jjBZ8QIBmsLPsiP8eX4klqreNRtsF60s_E03RA9hunX57E" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></p><p>The rest of the clan are due back in Guiseley tomorrow afternoon, by which point I hope to have most of a day's work competed.</p><p>And then on Wednesday, we're due to back out on the road as a reunited four-piece band to cower in a tent in the middle of a field until Friday, Heavy rain and thunderstorms are inevitably forecast. With added lightning. Can't wait. </p>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-78697069193861366522020-08-01T18:24:00.000+01:002020-08-01T18:24:46.304+01:00 Spacers<div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_dd1d_76fa_1978_f40f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jOwSjwKiVYWi6z4POHVBSQvEusGtBNIYbUy5bCeLEGrr6nWM35u-gEyTWT89QNk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /></div>There they go, the intrepid high wire artists about to spend the following three hours fumbling around on the edge of space - or high ropes assault course to you and me. They'll eventually return to Planet Earth via a zip wire.<div><br /></div><div>And me? Not a chance. I'm watching the FA Cup Final. Yes, my team Arsenal are playing. But that's not the real reason. Heights are not for me. And neither is publicly soiling myself in front of a wife and two children who already don't respect me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier today we went on yet another walk, this time to Orrest Head where the views of Lake Windermere were spectacular. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_4138_744b_b7e_865e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uiI_rXWXyLNDw_KSKwRAONneO7gwD-j9UF1tFWO3BocTBoOmvIbhxwXqZ7nDEzk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Charlotte was a little bit bored by this stage and chose to use binoculars to watch Vanessa and Jamie marvel at the scene rather than get too close herself.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_c5fd_a39d_bd4e_6e0c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hIpSqDv9Bsx6LIJ7NC0FZXoxy5qAgD8jPN0mM0kvkxIsNjr-8CXuDE0tN9-U8zs" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />At least she was able to see more than if she'd been sitting on this bench placed behind a big tree.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_2171_3b30_b80_c250" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5N4E0coBWvSGcnDH7uKzePjFylBFMPsOboVAjnjEpQaQg47gc1NKCZDLbiKwoj8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />The weather has been OK today, which is always more than acceptable to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>But yesterday it was, well, 30-odd degrees with full sun. We could barely believe it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We visited William Wordsworth's house.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_38d3_adef_1f5a_e1ce" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/isbKfQJ9f95ErTixAtuL5z6KV8TSswwZvGLBgqFudOWi7WEu_V16k9DryHSUDyA" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />The kids went for a paddle.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_16f0_65de_6564_c9ea" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2MDgCGoWOGt2wd0KTL2H0GgvLvh1Zjh4lSTqlJXbVoo4jakEpriZV-SMPO7we5w" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />And later they had for their first swim in a proper pool since the start of lockdown. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily Vanessa and I found an ideal place to watch them in action (on the other side of the glass).</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_12f2_d7a8_eabe_6403" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sITMWdVUkpp5At7NE_V1k6xWTJ-a8H5ax-PIIEIxgBdvRijul9Ut9zl9Q4eaeZw" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />The weather was so exciting that Jamie and I put on our party shirts to celebrate, whilst Charlotte had a chocolate sundae.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_cac5_3a89_d5c7_b9e9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/W5sWuooOazEjocCKLakBqtWKKZYtFcvdoM0vHRpW9CUq5GVgYfN4KovKScwFlNk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />I'd better be off now as I've got football to watch and beer to drink. I really hope the rest of the family don't have nightmares tonight because I'm bound to be tired. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-69565212266409947982020-07-29T17:40:00.000+01:002020-07-29T17:40:39.466+01:00The sun won't come out tomorrowSomething really strange happened today and it's thrown all of us into a state of confusion.<div><br /></div><div>The sun came out.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_a1f9_bd85_4af8_7b9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8NbJpYs5JfCJNJpKdcsb0btjpcnLzBJCOSVUTt6o-fPDRRsKJbR3s7_qfXYjniw" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />This is not a holiday experience we can recall and we're not really sure what to do next. </div><div><br /></div><div>As luck would have it, we did pack shorts but only because we've heard of other families having gone on holiday and the sun's come out. We're grateful to them for encouraging us to pack for all weathers. </div><div><br /></div><div>It rained pretty much all day yesterday, as it did on Monday. It is due to rain again tomorrow too.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, today has been, well, nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday Jamie took us on a big walk. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_7b68_44cf_5729_1432" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/t2d0m7zDh3KuyMMY_o7PLjTRJ6Jw3tV1Xd_LdWmuGi4Oo8UqPfHN7BZc2rSPf9w" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />(He also bought a new snazzy hat.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_f97e_a1e9_5022_4b7d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ktdXQ7j3LOK0N37jgcL_S5X0ELyUnUqncnq1M7Ky7_IivmEczwbCPd77WyZWevg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />And Charlotte bought an equally swish Dick Turpin mask).</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_cde5_db54_b06a_3fc" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5VWvi39eAPqRJ3w2NGakAwdncLIajKOUaRqcUZSrmOGsNZ-5sV9WSok60jMA8A8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Jamie took us on another walk today. But walks are very much his thing rather than hers and younger sister protests have resulted. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example, she refused to look over this big stone wall to admire the view.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_d0ae_808e_bcc7_f8ff" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BxGVfCq-_iO2gnY9GPxUzOw5x6ifReu4JTgN-Dd6-UgkKRpmlei3g2jwIK7J_Gk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />She also refused to climb this hill, unlike Vanessa and Jamie (who you can just about see).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_724a_9a2e_2357_d570" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7yFkShVXKQAXZU6rzS5TmXVUv7UCgXSCYs0y5jn7RUt3Ty4uvN1H1MyGBkDyagY" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /><div>Here's a kind of close-up.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_3dea_9f40_8324_db30" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DijDc2EDjeH5Em9uNJ9uW2AGCfceFcTZWWiwzefx9ecwuk9H-sC58d_upl95k9s" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We're planning to get our bikes out tomorrow, which Charlotte (who I fear may actually be allergic to forward motion) is also dreading.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, for now, it's chillax time. And we're all good with that.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_6b1e_9a1_78a2_8e73" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/23OhoehPHTdLAMcHBqhn7OBXEpgQ9mdqszIBihHaLGdDriHfD9QNGX1lv5xHDxE" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-87723592465423759492020-07-28T07:36:00.001+01:002020-07-28T09:41:30.095+01:00Putting the wind into Windermere<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_d91_f9a2_f107_f608" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1TQ1-AXcoUST-VomzF4KYAFD9cYxtU5s9Y9sgqchTI4m44NKefP9dDL9TttxY8I" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /> <div>The Whites are back on tour, this time in the Lake District where it rained all day yesterday apart from a brief intermission to allow this picture to be taken.</div><div><br /></div><div>(We were supposed to be in Greece but that was cancelled after the island we were going to ran out of Corona. Or something like that).</div><div><br /></div><div>Our trip here started off with a bang.</div><div><br /></div><div>I attached the bike carrier thingy on to the car the wrong way. The result was that it bounced off the road a couple of miles after departure, forcing us to return home to stick one set of brake lights and the registration plate back on with white gaffer tape. Here you can see Vanessa reassuring the kids that our luck was sure to improve.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_b785_7a3e_8dcc_a460" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iFT82ts1phxn3hUUjQyCEDsLOkFikGFwNCOOQNQsA-2J3nUYFILoLHFjq3uQ_fo" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Sadly mine didn’t. I watched the first half of Coleraine’s Irish Cup Semi-Final on my phone on the journey across. The Bannsiders were leading 1-0 until the 97th minute. They eventually lost to bitter local rivals Ballymena Utd on penalties. Gutted.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_1f20_c057_53c_7eb6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AfNb7ywu4iNFa6CS_vATof4uT1LVTYaDmx30MxJgY1T9yymwOlPCOKCHs4yhgQU" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Whilst I sobbed uncontrollably, Jamie took himself off for an introductory tour of the holiday park where we’re staying for the next week. His main aim was to make a guest appearance on the CCTV feed which is piped into everyone’s lodge. He succeeded - see below.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_2b25_51d2_b4d4_800d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hzw3_AOYcKw6SlxvOpQ9Y-tWHdfvs5FJnMKFCAlACUw4n9Pz1KVxE2gjotONzes" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We ended the evening by introducing the kids to the joys of Gavin & Stacey. Other than the incident with the bog brush and one filthy comment from Doris, the first episode wasn’t too racy and we might let them see a few more.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_f99b_ce0b_3ca1_6382" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/r1eDCsr2BfJpVHynADD4981NukdIw9Huvb31iECch-JRqRaub_vv-KitPFgSX0s" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />As for today, we’re planning a walk into Windermere where showers and high winds are expected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Further updates to follow.</div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-75362271932408580432020-07-23T17:35:00.001+01:002020-07-23T17:35:20.060+01:00Ghost train<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_f46a_622f_c5fa_aa2e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/R1OftqFWl7tDsOtC__XY6LGI5BomMF9mmdKM6k5ueCpmVabYyjJIcsQ8pSQDzE4" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /> <div>Before today, I hadn't travelled into Leeds city centre for more than four months. The purpose of this morning's journey was a trip to the dentist after a crown became loose a few weeks ago. I was surprised when she agreed to see me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I donned a mask for the first time and boarded a train with barely anyone on it. That was eerie, as was Leeds station itself was which also deserted. With the odd exception of several members of train staff, everyone else had their faces covered as I trudged through.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I reached the dentist's door, I had to wait outside for a few minutes until a lady with face shield, apron and gloves greeted me cheerily and asked me to cleanse my hands with sanitiser before coming inside. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next, she asked if she could take my temperature.</div><div><br /></div><div>I said yes and opened my mouth nice and wide.</div><div><br /></div><div>She laughed and pointed a gun at my head and pulled the trigger.</div><div><br /></div><div>Five seconds later: "You're fine."</div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't, I felt like a right idiot. I'd not had my temperature taken that way before. I reckon I would have blushed less if she'd shoved a thermometer up my bum. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then I was invited to go upstairs to be welcomed by my dentist and her nurse, both in full PPE.</div><div><br /></div><div>They did a great job, despite not being able to use a drill or that squirty water thingy. My dentist explained that they can use those tools in afternoon appointments when they have to wear even more protective gear. A bit like those scientists in ET. Possibly. Those appointments are scheduled for an hour to allow time for a deep clean afterwards. Mine was in the diary for 30 minutes, despite only being in the chair for five of those. </div><div><br /></div><div>My dentist added that my six-month check-up, which was due this month, will now take place at some point next year - in theory. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then I left, walked back through the quiet streets of Leeds, into the station, mask on and back onto another empty train to Guiseley.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am actually due back in the city centre in a couple of weeks for a meeting, possibly followed by some socialising. I'm not really sure how I feel about that. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's not a fear of contracting coronavirus that puts me off, it's the "new normal" factor; even more irritating than the X Factor and set to last a heck of a lot longer than a run of Simon Cowell and co. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-11718751805935708882020-07-21T17:25:00.000+01:002020-07-21T17:25:20.572+01:00Flip and dale <div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="331" id="id_3648_ea60_f88e_7e4d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ssJB-RQR1dJ06NConY1cKXuAXEloGlw8A8XmNsVyzC7S_C7Tss59poXk-xNHoCc=w441-h331" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="441" /></div><br /> <div>With wind and rain forecast and campsites reopened, the time was right for us Whites to get soaked and cold inside and outside a tent. </div><div><br /></div><div>We chose the little village of Muker in the heart of the dales.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_16e2_c794_9ccd_3e04" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5fMRW00JuUydgFVuF4BjPTqnzLLcpvdElZ3yPCc5pxWCfNAqQoH7JAYA9VzLfu0" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />That was on Friday but, for the next two days, the weather actually picked up and the beauty of North Yorkshire was revealed. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="331" id="id_7180_7e6d_56b6_94b8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PPEY3oEx9jb8aVE5jH7q9YQrIybLesojzhJnzwlJLCBEaoPHEF37MJazQM1rsBY=w441-h331" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="441" /></div><br />We met some of the locals.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_5f3f_7bb9_4da0_43d7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QBkcVO0o_68XpQYbzR2Y2MLd9IHmJAQeKUeJGnRZhNxh-v5mrtPHZ4EG7-2B__4" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And even had our first lockdown pint. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_88a_f648_34aa_90ec" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c-zcBaXb4shkEhu0PNq1FtQenLWh28n_TkU9GOrjNfwkbON8BfYi7KhvFwDf_lg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /></div><div>Thankfully it was. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_e766_5b58_9f5_1bf8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M33nVFeCLegBfe3Yo8czC_t4ItYENoMf_t963H1XUagbWJFHn4wq_DiEHfQu_wY" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Back at the campsite, Jamie saw an opportunity to earn a Scout badge for being helpful. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_810f_3542_55e9_ab15" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/boTOIziGAernb9eA05r47wV4warMd8naxIDpFo0g8F-RhYU5HKfOWuz9y23SlVk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />He grabbed it with both marigolds.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_7e30_f3ff_7170_8120" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/de4jsjUEryhLgqm_XYGgdEJZwFZT6bZGchAwh4KAct7pKPUM1C6GZRCJQ6ossIY" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />We're due to spend next week in the Lake District where steady rain is predicted by the weather folk.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has not come as a surprise. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-62376334431458933672020-07-06T17:17:00.001+01:002020-07-06T23:18:04.165+01:00Half-cut<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_9e0f_e0eb_7836_d08" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Sp2CdKg63vJ4J58_ohnT4FF2K2J-3acogpPHzhungCYj1GZu02ghBxwcjbPm41U" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""></div><br> <div>Jamie and I had our long-awaited post-lockdown haircuts today and, in my case, it did not go as planned. </div><div><br></div><div>The barber cut the sides but, for some reason, seemed to forget to cut the top - and I forgot to notice.</div><div><br></div><div>The result was that I came home looking not unlike Michael Portillo.</div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_e836_41ed_90d0_6dbd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kDyl0ERiZo54rdn54ACay12aya55GOkIBPP6BKqp3Hj1cYZw-qZxv5fatzTDxDE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;">Worse still, Charlotte took one glance and announced that I resemble a hammerhead shark.</div></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsvvgZa9sqUY_9IgvV4d4dJSrTysVO5IFyHC2LB3CJX1KiwuoNrcdqYczWd-2AlERnnaKwXeXM7lJcNWS_NB4Cq4YxKGHUOuIKcahUlnLs-RyytLqmXVAmVnIYuoVtXJzDkE72iN_C8Q/s849/scalloped-hammerhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="849" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsvvgZa9sqUY_9IgvV4d4dJSrTysVO5IFyHC2LB3CJX1KiwuoNrcdqYczWd-2AlERnnaKwXeXM7lJcNWS_NB4Cq4YxKGHUOuIKcahUlnLs-RyytLqmXVAmVnIYuoVtXJzDkE72iN_C8Q/s320/scalloped-hammerhead.jpg" width="320" id="id_b7fe_b931_7ad3_181c" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bit harsh, surely.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was us yesterday when we put gel in our hair and combed it back for a laugh. </div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_47eb_a755_39a2_8910" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vdbw5myqJAXZYn4iepu-k1yoQH3x2GvM5g0_EjpGcpi7YFlPf7zdgxmz2847DUM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip=""></div><br>But I'm not sure I look that different (other than the hangover face I was wearing after a well-hydrated weekend).</div><div><br></div><div>In need of some form of comfort, I'm reminded of that well-worn quip: </div><div><br></div><div>Q. "What's the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut?"</div><div><br></div><div>A, "About a fortnight."</div><div><br></div><div>So I'll go back soon. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope you have better luck when it's your turn to face a scissoring. </div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-24473331355923526182020-06-28T17:19:00.001+01:002020-06-28T17:19:06.385+01:00 Katy Perry FestWe've had a better week this week with Jamie's 12th birthday on Tuesday the highlight.<div><br /></div><div>Being in lockdown and all of that, options for him were sadly limited.</div><div><br /></div><div>His choice of activity was therefore to drag us all up a mountain to have a picture taken beside something called a triangulation pillar. That'll be the tenth such lump of rock he's reached over the past few weeks which is good for his Scout badge collection. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_baaa_67c3_cf70_d903" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vckZ1h4B3lt6fb6fa-GLCZzjvzPDRFqLgq_Osm_ZDL-ooCIofl_uT0vng2LC0Hk" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br /></div><div>Happily, Vanessa brought a little cake along to mark the occasion (and replace the lost calories from a five-mile trek).</div><div><br /></div><div>On our return, we threw a little barbecue in Jamie's honour with steak as the main course. That's unless your name was Charlotte who requested a microwave pasta meal from M&S. Anything to avoid my cooking.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_8ae0_2a27_50a5_e346" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8J5iD_0pvNL_PbRrUI4vthgXEQ5LZ-mwcitUnSaeB9Fej9nmxzkfX2TkwRHHAAM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the birthday boy received another cake in time for dessert, a full size one this time. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_67e6_82a5_5cd6_5ea4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VOMQC1eRWU2tfhh0brugPDE3E4I5yVVt4dxPzdqUfaCs8TtRXWYdsW7xRZ7dJvM" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />There isn't any left.</div><div><br /></div><div>The week has been book-ended by Father's Day last Sunday (loved my card)...</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_7814_6bbb_a03_d9a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/l1o9QT7dWrA4MYMUDw5HxKoS3On90i0F9UxczT94gE1YwkBotOp2DD2VJKKB8EI" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />...and the "Glasthomebury Festival." </div><div><br /></div><div>With the 50th anniversary of Glastonbury canned because of you know what, a wise social media person came up with the idea of everyone recreating the festival experience at home for the entire weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>How far you're prepared to go is obviously a matter of personal choice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jamie and I have camped in the garden for the past two nights.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_962e_9c38_456b_a119" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uOEiEeUk5ggNkqkxbPCCku16GIMMXCFIeedNNR3VrQP-2zHW_5sRQEOipECB0ZI" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Under a makeshift Pyramid Stage. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_dbc2_d981_2c18_b653" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7znb1jULwF2lLvbkT-ElXNnf2TRW7JNn29jG8YWwonOU_XT4RZcyApHIQsFRx14" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />Vanessa and Charlotte kind of joined us last night by sleeping on camp beds in our converted garage.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, as someone once said, it's all about the music. </div><div><br /></div><div>And thanks to the BBC showing wall to wall highlights from previous years, there has been plenty to choose from.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amongst those acts I have insisted we watch are Katy Perry, Coldplay, REM, Katy Perry, James, The Killers, Katy Perry, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Katy Perry, Shakira, Status Quo, Katy Perry, Adele, U2, Katy Perry, Happy Mondays, The Verve, Katy Perry, Oasis, The Waterboys, Katy Perry, George Ezra, Katy Perry and Katy Perry. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was never a huge David Bowie fan, but we will watch him tonight although I hope there may also be some time for a burst of Katy Perry. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I've particularly enjoyed about watching scores of performances is the sight of large crowds of people enjoying themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div>And whilst I appreciate that a high percentage of Glasto-goers are off their faces, the images still serve as a timely reminder that we can all have festival fun again one day.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-89185702712950933422020-06-20T14:15:00.000+01:002020-06-20T14:15:55.107+01:00Beware of the cat<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_fb5a_27dd_cffb_3076" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/guN4svS7nfxnlCJ4sUxObvMR4NCqv38LCUj8r64KwXqbV66XqsYFE-PtoKvVljg" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This has probably been our worst week of lockdown thus far. </div><div><br /></div><div>A combination of the kids not getting back to school - Boris Johnson is a liar, who knew?! - having to cancel our summer holiday and general lethargy have added up to a universal feeling of crapness. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this morning, we had a bit of drama to at least inject some life back into our household. Unless you were the poor bird involved (and no, PC Police, I'm not talking disrespectfully about Vanessa). </div><div><br /></div><div>Jamie was up early, as per usual, and went downstairs for his brekkie - letting Cleocatra (pictured above) out first for her morning........whatever it is she does. </div><div><br /></div><div>But a few minutes later, he came running into our room whilst simultaneously waving his arms and making loud noises. (Most males can't do two things at once, never mind three, so I was initially very impressed). </div><div><br /></div><div>Jamie explained the scene in what we call the toy room and asked me to come down to survey it with him.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this was what we found. </div> <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_4134_3949_c22b_e39e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fPbID27-ccoEVgzwjliIpR5TYshCTOHpof74BGvsD-Kqs4hk2GtbxEVnFsU5O_s" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yup, the bird was still alive at this point - barely.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jamie, a proud ornithophile himself (look it up, I had to) initially offered to take it outside, after donning personal protective equipment.</div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_e3dc_94b8_6678_36ca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w4yodOaLmh6HKZLU_R_Gg4d_dnwjEf_Co5kv55dSKYTB_TM52tilhy3b0f6Pilw" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><div><br /></div>But by the time he'd got everything on, Cleo had finished what she may or may not have started (hopefully the bird was already injured when she put it in her mouth) and we had to move on to consideration of burial options. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, I bravely scooped the deceased into a dustpan before running screaming across the garden and throwing it over the wall. At least it got to fly one last time. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I really must have a word with Cleo. Call me mean if you feel you have to but, whilst I don't mind the kids bringing friends home for dinner (albeit not during lockdown), this is not a privilege I wish to extend to the cat.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, we've erected a gazebo in our garden for socially-distanced chinwags. I'm heading there shortly to drink beer because there's bugger all else to do.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" id="id_9c16_1f01_99a2_fb45" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/j3UQzGyLfsnVe7tf6CQZ0e-7ABIUaLWTVZZ98P3TUMPgHSa6EJN0jlq3S6H_ob8" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div><br />You will note that the elaborate set-up includes a patio heater. That's because we live in Yorkshire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy your weekend.</div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416161139693527258.post-71199749316426427812020-06-08T13:25:00.001+01:002020-06-08T13:29:56.551+01:00Meet The Soul Band<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://files.schudio.com/guiseley-school/images/news/Thumbnail(1).png" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">I haven't updated this since my annual second rate April Fools Day post, mainly because there has been very little upbeat news to share. But, henceforth, I intend to up my game and see what I can come up with.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">To begin, I want to share a video with you that has really brightened up my day. </font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">It's been made by Guiseley School, which Jamie misses like a limb.</font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">This is how the project is explained on the school's website: </font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><font face="arial">"Our young
musicians should now be taking full advantage of our new building with a
brand-new Music Department. Sadly, due to Covid-19, these plans are now on
hold. But this hasn’t stopped Guiseley School’s Soul Band coming together,
remotely, to rehearse and produce a performance.</font></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><font face="arial">"Lean on Me carries a touching message which we feel couldn’t be any more appropriate in
these testing times of uncertainty. The Soul Band, with students across all
three Key Stages, rehearsed this brand-new piece without any teacher input
which is a testament to their devotion to music and their craft.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><font face="arial">"The Music
Department is incredibly proud of each of our young musicians and can’t wait to
reunite and create music in our amazing new facilities." </font></i><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><font face="arial">You can see what they achieved by clicking <a href="https://youtu.be/ZcmjscfXxNM" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </font></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><font face="arial">Jamie's face is the first one you'll see. </font></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><font face="arial">He hopes you'll enjoy it. </font></p></div>Barry Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06300916888642064587noreply@blogger.com0