Tag: Thoughts

England expects….

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Nelson’s message to his men

Lord Horatio Nelson is my favourite historical figure. My favourite teacher in my junior years at school was responsible for this. He himself was a sailor and taught us to sail as well, as a result we learned knot tying skills, were regularly tested on our skills and generally fell head first into the whole nautical thing.

We learned of the battle of Trafalgar and many other naval operations, and Lord Nelson was our superman of the day. His whole history, what he achieved and his dalliances outside of the navy all became the topic of conversation in many a history lesson.

And then the message he displayed to rally his men, all by using flags/semaphore just blew my mind. I do honestly believe this was what got me into amateur radio communications in later life especially learning Morse code.

Still interests me to this day, a few years ago we were fortunate enough to have a tour of Windsor castle and there in a display is a musket ball pulled from Nelson’s body. I stood transfixed to that item for ages.

Probably my only true historical hero. Nothing has changed. He’s the man in my eyes.

Stay safe everyone.

It’s gotta be Mum

Write about your first crush.

Probably the first and only person to give you love and security unconditionally. Your Mother.

Well, not your Mother but I’m talking about my Mother. That wonderful person who sacrificed so much in her life to ensure I had a good life. Right up to the day she drew her last breath she declared her everlasting love for me. No one has ever done that and I doubt very much you will ever find such a love as that maternal instinct only mothers possess.

My first crush definitely. Never to be experienced again.

Stay safe guys.

Where in the world…..

What countries do you want to visit?

To be honest I’m a creature of habit, i will continue to go to that little quiet part of Cyprus that we love as the people are lovely souls and the life is good. If we had the chance I’d up roots and move there lock stock and barrel. Iceland is another one I will continue to frequent as I absolutely love everything about the place. Two crazy totally different environments.

Akamas peninsula
Reykjavik Iceland

There is only one other country that I’d love to visit, and that’s Canada. I’d love to do one of those Rocky Mountain explorer train trips, the sheer wilderness and beauty would really appeal to me.

Other than that there is no other country I wish to travel to. To be honest there are still too many places in my home country I still yet have to see.

Have a blessed day

A little self appreciation

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

It’s all about me

I’ve got a few things I don’t like but that’s not what the question asks.

The over riding thing I do like about myself is that I’m not totally reliant on others. I quite like my own company and can quite happily just get on with things without having to have a large contingent of hangers on, or fake friends.

I know who I like and what I like and I’m happy with that.

Keep it simple.

The long plod up to retirement

How do you want to retire?

That would be nice….

Now this is a prompt I like. I’m in My late 50s and I’m looking into this seriously. My boss knows i plan to retire 2 years from my next birthday and the planning has already started to be looked into.

I want to retire comfortable, not looking at massive amounts but something that will keep us as we are currently. The mortgage is already paid so we are fortunate there, and outstanding debts will all be realised within the next 18 months so in theory by the time I do retire we will owe no one anything, so the need for a higher Income will not be necessary.

I am paying extra into my pension and we obviously have a small amount put aside for incidentals, to be honest the future looks ok. Touch wood (That’s my superstitious side shining through

I may take a little no responsibility, part time job to keep my hand in, but to be honest we want to travel, and just take it easy. Oh and my hobbies and garden can then get the attention they all deserve.

That’s of course as long as fate doesn’t throw a spanner in the works.

Peace all

Thruppenny Bit

What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

The old Three pence piece in the UK, other wise know as Thruppence or the Thruppenny bit went out of circulation in 1971 when we went decimal

And that’s when my dear old nan gave me one as a keepsake when I was a five year old tot.

Three pence piece

So I guess that’s the oldest physical thing I have but unfortunately it isn’t used daily so I guess I’ve wasted my time with this post. But then again I do use money daily, and this was money so I guess I might be able to sneak this in on a technicality.

Never mind, it’s nice to hold it every now and then and think of my lovely old nan.

Peace all.

STS 79 Launch Kennedy LC-39A

Describe one of your favorite moments.

I was very fortunate to see the launch of a space shuttle.

STS-79 mission patch

The date was 16th September 1996 and the launch was the 17th launch of the space shuttle Atlantis as STS-79. Its mission was to dock with the Russian space station Mir, and to deliver equipment and supplies and relief personnel.

I was fortunate that we were holidaying in Florida at the time, so it all blended in just lovely.

Launch pad 39a
KSC Shuttle display

We had travelled to KSC a few days prior to launch and did the full touristy thing, we went back a few days later in the very early hours of the morning to watch the launch and were not disappointed. It truly is a moment that will stay in my mind forever.

Happy day to you all

Anything interesting happened today?

What notable things happened today?

It’s just after 5 in the morning and the only notable thing that has occurred so far today is that I have woken up.

And to be honest for everyone that’s no mean feat. The fact we have awoken from our slumber is something to be grateful for. You have another day on this planet, another go at trying to have a good day, another day to mend relationships and to forgive those little misdemeanours and mistakes.

Another chance to be a better person.

I’ve had my first cup of tea of the day and my next big decision is whether to make another.

Tea – typically British

Start the day with a blank canvas, and go paint a masterpiece.

Hopefully you’ll get another go at it tomorrow. You just never know.

Just do it. And enjoy it.

Happy days all.

Is it worth being Passionate?

What are you passionate about?

I only ask, as being passionate in anything sometimes makes people question if you are just being obsessive in your actions.

There’s obsession in relationships that can more often than not be one sided, and lead to a number of unwanted and uncomfortable situations and poor behavioural traits such as stalking.

There is passion in your work, that can also lead to you being seen as a person who doesn’t see black and white, there’s no other option it’s your way or no way!

Passion seems to partner obsession in my opinion, maybe I’m looking to deep and need to step off the gas a little.

What am I passionate (obsessed) with then?

I’m passionate about time keeping, and competence. I simply hate incompetence in anything and it is one of my pet peeves.

I guess I’ve woken up in probably not one of the best frames of mind to answer this question. I’m passionate about a good nights sleep though, but that’s about as rare as rocking horse s**t these days.

Keep obsessing all…

The four seasons

What is your favorite season of year? Why?

And I’m not talking Frankie Valli and his pals, neither am I about to burst into song, you don’t deserve that.

Every season has its good and bad points for me, but I have to say Spring is probably my favourite.

My reasoning for each season is listed below:

  • Spring: crisp mornings but now is the added bonus of the sun poking its head out, the plants are starting to awaken and the birds seem to be singing a different song. It’s all about awakening and looking forward. This is my favourite season, as it’s all about progression, it seems positive to me.
  • Summer: Sun, heat all the things we haven’t had and have missed for the last five months should now be here in abundance, however here in the Uk in the middle of what should be flaming June, we have single figure temperatures and even more rain than usual. Mother natures clock seems to be out of sync.
  • Autumn: Nature is about to go into hibernation, the trees put on awesome displays of colour and the last sprinkling of warm sunshine takes a bow. Cold days reappear and Jack Frost starts to make his presence felt.
  • Winter: warm coats come out of storage, the common cold hits with a vengeance and crisp mornings and more rain appears. And then the slight dusty sprinkling of snow appears that makes the country grind to a halt, and makes us the laughing stock of the world.

Oh how I love our four seasons.

Take care people..