Secondary School : Part ONE Hillcrest

We spent a couple of hours around Hillcrest school for girls a couple of nights ago. We were generally very impressed with the facilities, the range of extra corricular activities, the disciplin and the attitude of the girls we saw.

They have a Drama and Dance department, they are also a "Microsoft Partner School" with excellent (for a school!) computing facilities.

We have another couple of schools to see over the next two weeks, and then we need to work out what is going to be the best for Amy.... Is it too late to change my mind about having kids?

Finally Getting Some Ink Done...

[Listening to: 17-Notes.../Twisted Every Way... - Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom of the Opera (09:40)]

Well after some 15 months of thinking about it, I finally decided I was going to get a tattoo, I drew up the design over 12 months ago - it is an Armband based on the headband worn by Elrond in the Lord of the Rings Films, the sword is "Sting" Bilbo/Frodo's trusty side arm.



When I discussed it with Amanda, she agreed to pay for it as my birthday present. The design has been given to the tattooist, and a provisional date of 2nd week in October has been agreed for the work to be done. Stevie K - No stranger to a tattoo studio, has agreed to go along with me for moral support.

SV 1000 - What a machine

[Listening to: All I Ask Of You - Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom of the Opera (04:14)]

I have had the new bike about a week now, and managed about 100 miles. All I can say is WOW!

It really is a nice ride, It feels much more stable in a straight line, sits nicely on the road in corners, and accelerates like S*!t off a shovel!

My only criticism would be that after about 40 minutes, my back was starting to ache a little, I may have to change the handlebars to raise them a little, and I definitely want a "Fly Screen" to just take some of the pressure off speeds above 50.

Problems with w.bloggar since upgrade to Media Player 10

[Listening to: Mouses Big Day - - (09:38)]

As you may have realised, I have no been listening to the same track for the last half-a-dozen posts... There is a MediaPlayer plugin which w.bloggar can use to allowit to determine the currently playing track, and add it to the top of every post.

Since upgraing to Media Player 10 - this plugin does not seem to be returning the correct information.... Oh Hum!

Moto Guzzi Breva 750 - The Saga Finally Ends

[Listening to: Mouses Big Day - - (09:38)]

Today, I took delivery of a six month old Suzuki SV1000, the Breva has gone... Its fate is to sit in the warehouse of the dealers till MotoGuzzi can be actually bothered to send an exhaust and disk to the UK, when it will be sold for whatever they can get for it.

The SV is a Very different beast to the Breva - the throttle is very lively, the riding position is less "Sit up and beg", and it feels very tall when riding. I think it will take a few days to get used to this one....

Amy has a new bedroom

[Listening to: Mouses Big Day - - (09:38)]

I put the finishing touches on Amy's bedroom this weekend. No not me taking forever to decorate a room again, we were waiting for the new curtains to be made...!

New cutain rail was fitted, and the curtains hung... She has now gone from a "Barbie Palace" to a sophisticated room suitable for a young lady.

Latest on the ongoing "Broken Breva" situation

[Listening to: Mouses Big Day - - (09:38)]

It's now been over 4 months since the warranty claim went in for the exhaust and disk on the bike, and I am still no close to getting it fixed.

I phoned Speedaway today, and told them I want rid of it, and I have e-mailed "Trading Standards" asking for clarification on my legal position. I am now waiting for the sales manager to call me back with an offer on the bike, hopefully involving a trade with a 2nd hand 2004 Suzuki SV1000 that they have in stock.