Ikea - Printer trouble - Jill's cruise

First minor problem of the day was that the papers weren't delivered. New owners at the Newsagents, regular girl off, new lad let them down etc., etc.,.

Off to Ikea around 9am and we breakfasted in style and so cheaply. We have a bonus card which entitles us to free unlimited coffee and discounts off certain lines. I bought the lamp shown which uses these new bulbs that take time to warm up. Incredibly low price of £2.95 and it really is just the ticket.

Rather than put the customary 50p piece on the scanner to show scale I decided on a photo of the lamp in action. Unsure of what white-balance I might need for these sort of bulbs I used RAW which, although against my religion, gave me the options to subsequently select the appropriate setting.

Picture 2 is it, and I didn't realise at the purchase stage what a handy design feature the horse-shoe base is. Allowing one to stand a coffee mug (if you will permit me a temporary lurch into the metaphoric) in its welcoming harbour thereby releasing more tabletop for essential clutter.

I've had this little rough 'ole table for many decades and have always loved its utilitarian quality. You can stab knives into it, spill hot drinks on it, scrape off paper that gets stuck to it....and it never bats an eye-lid (mixed metaphor country now). The late great Bill Deedes loved to say "We will burn that bridge when we come to it". David has always loved the table too and I hope he will love and cherish it one day.

My printer has been playing up again and printing gibberish...(Just be careful Bungus, ...ed) and I've spent hours uninstalling and then reinstalling. It seem OK now. Brian S told me how to fix it easily and I shall ask him again on Wednesday. Dave B who runs the 'retired local police-forum' which I am an appreciative member of, has asked me to help out with the admin. I consider it an honour to be asked and shall do my best. As Y says "Another excuse to spend time on your laptop". She thinks it is a good idea though , of the contact with colleagues, and it will keep me out of mischief. I am assured by Dave that there isn't much walking involved !!

Had an e-mail from Jill earlier to say their Cruise has been cancelled at the last minute. She and Ro are justifiably furious... but I'm sure she will tell you about it herself.

Comments.....Thanks Bungus and AnonymousRob for running the 'sports desk'. Re: Panfotheram. I've always used your first pronunciation suggestion Rob. Of course examination of the word reveals Pan-fo-the-Ram, perhaps that is its etymology? Bungus can't abide the smell of lamb cooking, so however we pronounce it won't tempt him to a portion.

And no! I wouldn't have Patum Peperium under scrambled egg. Maybe smoked salmon on top though.

Re Birdwatch. It is strange to allocate a specific hour. My bird feeders can be deserted for hours and then, without any apparent pattern, can be busy for half an hour and then go quiet again. There does seem to be a breakfast time but this varies and is usually around an hour after dawn. I wouldn't have thought their sampling technique was at all sophisticated.

Quotation.....another unarguable piece of wisdom :-

"The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution".

Hannah Arendt

The above reasoning is why it was stupid to stand-down the Iraqi Army and The Police following the overthrow of Saddam. The would have just done an abrupt about-turn and started to serve the new administration. And the present mess might have been avoided.

..... Bit of a brain-teaser for you ? How's that done then ? Feel free to use it though..... Sleep tight folks....Catch you tomorrow (A Karen Day)................

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