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Stats are always interesting - apparently this post is big in Russia!
Здравствуйте и добро пожаловать! - This says "Hello and welcome!" according to google translate...

Not much to report, but some good news about interviews: I have some! Just been putting newly-learned skills into practice, telling thin air what my skills are!

Did have the chance to watch some sport earlier. I can't believe how cruel Judo rules are! The Brit, Euan Burton, had a match that lasted all of five minutes before the Canadian put him in a hold, and won the bout. I thought it might be best of three, but no. He was so incredibly disappointed, and had to be interviewed! I don't know how they hold it together. Such a pity.

Oh, and the rain's back. Pfft.

London 2012 opening ceremony

Finally, London 2012 Olympics is underway. Catching only the last part of the opening ceremony on Friday, I purposely avoided mention of what occurred beforehand. Saturday night we sat down to watch the event in full. What a uniquely British and silly affair, and fantastically enjoyable. I thought the TV coverage was great, and wished that I had been there, as there must have been so much more to see.

Great fireworks, great music, great enjoyment visible by all involved there, and Corgis! Clearly some excellent stagecraft had been prepared, though I did find myself wondering where the sheep were... Voldemort, light-up duvets, Mary Poppins, speedboats, birdy creatures, dance, acrobatics, wonderful. And Sir Tim Berners-Lee of course! (And JK Rowling, and Mr Bean with Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO, and James Bond, etc, etc!) And it even ended with a singalong.

The best bit though, was the cauldron. I've been interested in the designs of Thomas Heatherwick for a long time. I hope that the spectacular achievement of this will override the negative feelings that so many have for his sculpture, The B of the Bang. Found to be unsafe, this sculpture had to be surrounded by fences for health and safety, after one of the vast prongs came away, and has been dismantled. I was so disappointed that it failed, as it was a fantastic sculpture. The beauty and simplicity of the cauldron's formation is testament to the skill of Heatherwick in inverting shape for purpose. Phenomenal.

Well done to the organisers - it was a great opener, well considered and sensitive, and inclusive.

It feels a bit of a whimper following a bang, but I saw the weekly steam train pass by the bottom of the garden this morning. I might have to try and spot it from the local station next weekend, because the trees block any view of it from here.

Links
London 2012 Opening Ceremony
Fabulous fireworks
Cauldron
Thomas Heatherwick
The B of the Bang

Stripy

Stripy legs after a morning (and afternoon) spent sat in the sunshine. A bit of tanning, and a lot of educational reading, and work towards a new improved CV, and maybe two chapters of my novel. (Reading, not writing. Not at the moment, anyway.)

I also spent an hour winding a ball of the most fabulous red wool. This photo was taken between skeins. It is so much effort, one is plenty to do at once. I really do wish that I'd asked the shop to do it on their winder - it certainly looks tidier and is more even than my hand-rolled affair. Lovely opportunity to enjoy all the various oranges, pinks and purples that make up this type - Wollmeise 'Rubin' (This means Ruby, but I thought it might mean Robin - not too dissimilar after all.).

Between windings

Links
Wollmeise blog
Educational reading
Novel - although the link wasn't working when I tried it...

British Library and brave new steps towards employment

I went to the British Library yesterday. Slightly bizarre utilitarian designed exterior, fabulously imposing and exposing interior. A giant wall of books! Heaven. I even bought a pencil in the giftshop. I did not manage to take much time to investigate further, as I was there for a meeting, but this went very well, and has re-energised my job hunt. Thank you to my coach!

A long list of things to do today, so I'd best get on and do them. Brand Daisy begins here!

See a photo by Gavin Stok of the library interior here: Flickr photo of interior

Worcester and Stanage (and some architectural complaints)

What a shift in the weather! More please. Saturday night held a trip to Worcester (via Malvern) and some interesting architecture. I like it when you can see that buildings have had different functions in the past, and seeing the evidence in window shapes and closed-in doorways. It makes a change from the bizarre choices that Birmingham's town planners have made recently. FASCIAS! Let's have LOTS and LOTS of FASCIAS! Examples: Selfridges (although I like the silver buttons), The Qube (daft crisscrosses in ugly colours), and finally the new library (daft and ugly concentric circles, and truly bizarre shape). I'm starting to prefer the old wind tunnel library!

Come on town planners, Birmingham was built from BRICK. Examples: the Law Courts, the old Eye Hospital, the Custard Factory! Employ some bricklayers with talent, will you! They have even managed to destroy part of the brickwork persian carpet pattern in Centenary square to make way for a subterranean ampitheatre for the new library. Sure, it makes the skyline a bit more distinctive, but I'm not keen.

Rant over.

On Sunday, we took a trip up to Stanage Edge in the Peak District National Park for a day of climbing. (Snoozing and watching for me.) The sun was lovely, there were lots of climbers, and some very lost sheep, and it was what summer Sundays are all about. Lovely.

Have some photos:

Swirly grass in the gardens outside 'the hive'

Sandcastle outside the GOLD hive

The Sandcastle has BAT BOXES!
I did wonder if it was clever marketing for Batman...

Weird windows in Worcester

Looking out from under Stanage Edge

Lake District Weekend

This weekend involved climbing, abseiling, walking, a bit of swimming and plenty of Pimms. Here's some scenic photos for you.

Hodge Quarry

Inside Hodge Quarry

Looking out of Hodge Quarry

Rain on Hodge Quarry

Near Coniston

Looking back towards Coniston

Coniston village from above

Somewhere on Coniston Old Man (Lots of Foxgloves)

Busy path up Coniston Old Man

Old slate mining/quarrying equipment on Coniston Old Man

Zen and the art of packing

It starts with a list. And then the list gets edited. And then forgotten things are added to the list. And then you try and put it in a bag. And then you leave your washkit on top, for the toothbrush, inevitably the last thing to be packed. And although you're charging all the electrical stuff now, you're probably going to wind up taking the charging leads too. Wonder where I can stuff that? Have you brought the...? Did you remember the...? And so on.

Dreadful weather here and guaranteed rain in the Lake District, despite occasional warm temperatures and sunshiney moments at the moment lead me to want to take a lot of the warmer things with us. Fingerless gloves, thick socks, and definitely, definitely the down-like mid-layer jacket! But the hopeful part of me has also packed the flipflops.

• UK to Canada, we took a big bag each, a rucksack and a bicycle carrier. Mode of transport: plane.  Time to pack: 2 weeks approx.
• Vancouver to Big White, we took a big bag each, a rucksack and a ski bag each. (And ski boots.) Mode of transport: greyhound bus. Time to pack: 2 days.
• Going to Hawaii from Vancouver we took a rucksack each (for two weeks stay). Mode of transport: plane. Time to pack: 1 evening.
• Returning from Canada we had a big bag each, a rucksack each, a ski bag each and a pair of ski boots. (Picture below.) Mode of transport: plane. Time to pack: 2 days (And much stress!)

This weekend (found the coolbox)

This weekend, where we will be away for no more than 72 hours, we each have a large bag, I have a rucksack, and there is a massive bag of climbing gear, pillows, sleeping bags and a coolbox. (Yet to be found from its hiding place.) Crackers.

Luggage for the Canada - Manchester journey.
For scale, those long bags are almost two metres in length.

Wishes

Hello from a silent radio announcer! It's been a few days, hasn't it? It is still tough to not be working, but I am seeking out interesting things that perhaps can be commented on here. I went to a cabaret performance at mac on Saturday, which was a bit peculiar, but was a good laugh. Some excellent acts. Sunday we had smashing dinner at Jyoti's. Excellent and pretty authentic Indian food. And today? More job hunting!

After nine months of conscious thoughts of "can't buy that, it won't fit in my case" or "can't buy that, don't need it", it is increasingly challenging to not be overcome with a capitalist desire of THINGS. Particularly now as I'm not living out of a suitcase! Biggest thing on the wishlist today? The "indiespensable" release from Powells bookshop. A new book in a special binding every six weeks, which comes with goodies. At $52 every six weeks, it is not one for the moment. (But I did succumb to buying a London 2012 tshirt today...)

In other news, my fingers have gained a tinge of green. I have kept my Gran's plant cutting alive, and it seems to be thriving, flowering for the first time today, and even done some garden weeding. (For about five minutes.) And I was a recipient of some lovely Lilies and Roses on Sunday. Lovely!

It's ALIVE... still

Lovely gift

Links
mac (Midlands Arts Centre)
Jyoti's Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
Powell's Independent Bookshop

(Decisions)

Well, the weather still can't make a decision. Rain and rain, and today? Sunshine and warmth. Really can't dress for it! I pity holidaymakers coming here - they'd be very confused!
I had some mini decisions since my last post, and have more to make, probably. During a rain shower on Tuesday: Shall I carry on cycling (quite a long way) to the supermarket? Yes. I got wet in the rain, but I also got chocolate (and managed to cycle up a big hill)! (And the bonus of contact lenses is being able to see in the rain... and the shower!)
Wednesday: Shall I go to the zumba class, or should I go for a chinese takeaway? Ended up doing zumba (loved it) and then getting takeaway - win!
Thursday: Shall I go for the job on the other side of Coventry? No - a bit too far!

I've had a few interesting movements on the job front today, the agency got in touch twice, and I've been called for another interview. Happy!

Today I also went to my not-quite favourite place: the job centre. On the way I walked down a local road that felt like walking through a tropical hot house - it smelled so green! You know the smell that bombards you as you enter a greenhouse. So far, not totally itchy with hayfever - yes!

One more little aside, is a 'did you know'? We have a friend serving in an active warzone, and have just sent a parcel. FOR FREE. Cheaper than posting a card to the other side of town! If you know someone who might appreciate a parcel or a letter, even if you can't send it for free, you can get preferential rates for members of the military. Good job, Royal Mail!

Links
Zumba at Bournville College
HM Forces Mail

Brave New World

Ok, it isn't quite as grim as in Aldous Huxley's novel, though my trip to the job centre today came close. Apparently I am now a gentleman - or always was, according to my paperwork. Very peculiar short interview. But hey, we have to jump through hoops for help now and again.

As a new blogger, I'm very much still learning about blogging more frequently, and with a community in mind.  The audience of the old blog was friends, family, and whoever had added me on facebook that could be bothered to look! With UK Appreciation though, I've linked it to my twitter (sort of), and have been a bit better at advertising new posts on my facebook page. Family and friends are now aware that I will be taking note of events, curious things, and brandishing a camera "for the blog" - said with a glint of mania in my eye. (Think Toad of Toad Hall... although there are no current plans for grand theft auto.) Now I've started, I'm really very enthusiastic! It's great to encourage others in their new blogging endeavours as well.

One acquaintance has a very useful blog and website that you might be interested in: Libro Editing. Liz is self-employed, and provides the following services: proofreading, copyediting, copy writing, typing, localisation and transcription. Phew! Her website is a great resource for those who are not sure if they are 'wondering' or 'wandering', or are interested in how a self-employed person stays employed! Just explore the tabs at the top of the page - very well laid out.

Despite the rain today, I had a lovely time catching up with a friend - happy birthday! Hope to see more of her very soon. And I can because I'm nearby! Still enjoying being home. More job hunting over the next few days - any recommendations welcome!

Links
Libro Editing
Old blog
Twitter

Day 43

Well, we saw the Olympic Torch Relay, just about! Apparently Cliff Richard passed on the torch to a local lady just in front of us. I say apparently, because it was totally impossible to see the handover behind two trucks, many many security people, and the loads of press that surrounded them. Great to see so many people turn up to see it though. And no rain!

Spot the ball

Overhead monitoring

Our view of the handover - nil!

Finally!

She walked - good on her - meant we could all see!

The bus (one of many, actually)

Afterwards...

"Shall we stick around for a bit?"

What the apocalypse migration will look like

And behind

Jubilee flowers at Cannon Hill Park