Time for a feel-good track, in the form of an early Take That song:
It's "Pray", released in 1993 from Everything Changes, the band's second studio album. I first heard "Pray" on the Heart Radio network when my family and I were all living in Cambridgeshire. I have no association with the song beyond hearing it in Cambridgeshire and in Northamptonshire, and finding it to be a track that boosts a good mood.
Showing posts with label Cambridgeshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cambridgeshire. Show all posts
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Liveland History: 5 July 2011
On the 5th of July, 2011, I wrote the post "Fireworks (again)":
In it, I posted a short video that I had filmed on one of family's last days of living in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. The video featured sound effects of some fireworks that had occurred the night before on the 4th of July. We attributed the Independence Day firework celebrations to the presence of United States military bases and personnel in the area; even so, we did not expect to see or hear any fireworks that evening and we were pleasantly by them.
The post is also significant because it was the first time that my friend and fellow blogger Jessica commented here. This was after I commented on this post of hers. I first encountered Jessica when I clicked on her Blogger profile from another blog, titled Green Eyed Opinons; she also once guest posted on Green Eyed Opinons. Unfortunately, that blog no longer exists.
In it, I posted a short video that I had filmed on one of family's last days of living in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. The video featured sound effects of some fireworks that had occurred the night before on the 4th of July. We attributed the Independence Day firework celebrations to the presence of United States military bases and personnel in the area; even so, we did not expect to see or hear any fireworks that evening and we were pleasantly by them.
The post is also significant because it was the first time that my friend and fellow blogger Jessica commented here. This was after I commented on this post of hers. I first encountered Jessica when I clicked on her Blogger profile from another blog, titled Green Eyed Opinons; she also once guest posted on Green Eyed Opinons. Unfortunately, that blog no longer exists.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
Littleport, Iowa
When I began Air Nice-to-Livelands, I was living in the town of Littleport in North East Cambridgeshire. In that linked post, I briefly mentioned our then-house being located on a lower level to the levees holding back the Ouse. Naturally, while my family and I lived there we were worried about potential flooding, but fortunately, nothing ever happened during our time there and nothing has happened since. However, back in 1999, the tiny city of Littleport, Iowa, which is mostly unrelated to the Littleport, Cambridgeshire, was destroyed by a flood.
There is little (no pun intended) available about Iowa's Littleport beyond its destruction. The place hasn't ever had a large population, and in 2005, it lost its city status, resulting in it becoming an unincorporated community; it was already a dying town prior to the flood. It had a population of 26 in 2000, and the only 2010 census information I could find said that Littleport was no longer inhabited. While I have never been to Littleport, nor have I been to or near Iowa, but I can't help feel a touch of sadness for the place. Humans once lived there and now it's another one of the many ghost towns littered across the United States.
The two Littleports have nothing in common except the name and the potential to flood. The Littleport in Iowa was on the decline for decades, with barely over two dozen people living there when it flooded. By contrast, the Littleport in Cambridgeshire is a thriving town with nearly 9,000 people as of 2011 — an increase in population from the decade before. It's unlikely to meet the same fate as its Iowa namesake, for the name is merely a coincidence, but it's always wise to be prepared...just in case.
There is little (no pun intended) available about Iowa's Littleport beyond its destruction. The place hasn't ever had a large population, and in 2005, it lost its city status, resulting in it becoming an unincorporated community; it was already a dying town prior to the flood. It had a population of 26 in 2000, and the only 2010 census information I could find said that Littleport was no longer inhabited. While I have never been to Littleport, nor have I been to or near Iowa, but I can't help feel a touch of sadness for the place. Humans once lived there and now it's another one of the many ghost towns littered across the United States.
The two Littleports have nothing in common except the name and the potential to flood. The Littleport in Iowa was on the decline for decades, with barely over two dozen people living there when it flooded. By contrast, the Littleport in Cambridgeshire is a thriving town with nearly 9,000 people as of 2011 — an increase in population from the decade before. It's unlikely to meet the same fate as its Iowa namesake, for the name is merely a coincidence, but it's always wise to be prepared...just in case.
Monday, 17 September 2012
"Jump to the Beat" - Stacy Lattisaw
Perhaps the best thing about listening to Heart Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire is hearing hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Prior to listening to Heart I wasn't very familiar with disco, but it's a genre I've come to appreciate more; one of my favourite disco tracks is "Jump to the Beat" by Stacy Lattisaw:
The sole sad part is when I research songs that I really like, only to find out that the performer was a one-hit wonder during their career or their career ended long ago. In Lattisaw's case, she had one other song that excelled on the charts, but she does not appear to have released any more music since 1990.
The sole sad part is when I research songs that I really like, only to find out that the performer was a one-hit wonder during their career or their career ended long ago. In Lattisaw's case, she had one other song that excelled on the charts, but she does not appear to have released any more music since 1990.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Two years
My family and I have now been back in the United Kingdom for two entire years. This is the first June in a few years where we are not in the process of moving: in June 2009 we were making preparations to return to the United Kingdom, in June 2010 we returned here, and in June 2011 we were moving from Cambridgeshire to Northamptonshire. It is a relief to not be currently worrying about moving.
Another difference is that June 3rd for those past three years has been a sunny/cloudy day, whereas today it has been raining. My brother and I went out for a walk earlier, despite the continuous rain, as I have managed to take a walk every day for this past week and I was not going to stop today. I have found in interesting that the week began with hot weather and now its cold outside; hopefully some warmer weather will return soon.
The past couple of years have not exactly been perfect for us, but we are still relatively "new" to this country and there are plenty of things we have to do/are still working on. In the immediate future we do have quite a few things to look forward to this coming summer, and I will be sure to write about them here.
Another difference is that June 3rd for those past three years has been a sunny/cloudy day, whereas today it has been raining. My brother and I went out for a walk earlier, despite the continuous rain, as I have managed to take a walk every day for this past week and I was not going to stop today. I have found in interesting that the week began with hot weather and now its cold outside; hopefully some warmer weather will return soon.
The past couple of years have not exactly been perfect for us, but we are still relatively "new" to this country and there are plenty of things we have to do/are still working on. In the immediate future we do have quite a few things to look forward to this coming summer, and I will be sure to write about them here.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Short Stories: The Missing Coat
During an afternoon, I prepared myself for a short trip out: I cleaned my teeth, changed my shirt, and ensured the shoes I would be wearing were my decent pair. I was almost ready when I went to reach for my coat; however, it was not in its usual place on the floor, so I looked in my wardrobe for it there instead. The coat was not put away in there, so I looked on top. Alas, it was not up there either! Where had my coat gone?
This was not just any coat...it was my favourite! I frantically began searching for it, but then I heard voices from downstairs demanding that I hurry up, as everyone else was ready to go and they did not want to be late. When the voices became angry I grabbed another coat of mine at random...one that turned out be be too short for me but was still better than not having a coat at all...then headed down before the complaints became excessive.
On the way to our destination my coat was the only concern I had in my thoughts. What had I done with it? Had it been put away in an effort to tidy the house? Had I forgotten it someplace, never to retrieve it? Had someone else taken it? Had it been accidentally put in the washer and shrunk so much it could not be seen anymore? I did not pay any attention to the places we drove past on our journey, being too preoccupied with the disappearance of my best coat.
Even during the time spent at our destination I was too distracted thinking about my coat to appreciate the event we were attending. I merely hid myself until it was time for us to leave, distressed to point where I did not want to be seen by anyone else or have to talk to them. It was a relief to be back in the car and returning home.
Upon arriving back at out house I rushed upstairs and turned my room upside down in a newly-energised search for my beloved coat. I emptied my wardrobe and cabinets of all their contents and even moved my bed in case the coat had somehow been trapped beneath or behind it. As before, the coat was nowhere to be found, and I came to the conclusion that it was lost forever.
I sat down on the floor and faced the door. The afternoon had been a real downer, and now the evening was going the same way. Not only was my favourite coat missing, but my room was now a mess! Granted, it was all my own fault; if I had just been more careful...wait. What is that behind the door...
...my coat! It had been in my room all along! I had hung it up on the doorknob on the inside of my room, but I had not noticed the coat earlier since the door had been open wide all day and I never thought to look behind the door until I just saw part of the coat peeking out.
My worrying over the past few hours had been unnecessary, but I felt relieved when I reached for my coat and put it on. Next time I shall be more observant, and better at remembering where I leave my belongings.
-------------
This post was inspired by our recent trip to Cambridgeshire: before we left, I could not find the coat I usually wear when going out, and it was missing until it was found this morning in our garage. Most of the events in the above piece did not occur in real-life, and the parts that did were exaggerated for the sake of storytelling: in reality, while I was slightly annoyed that I could not find my coat, I was certainly not fussing over it the entire time we were out! In fact, I barely thought about it at all! If I ever did lose the coat for certain, I would be disappointed but I would not break down over it.
This was not just any coat...it was my favourite! I frantically began searching for it, but then I heard voices from downstairs demanding that I hurry up, as everyone else was ready to go and they did not want to be late. When the voices became angry I grabbed another coat of mine at random...one that turned out be be too short for me but was still better than not having a coat at all...then headed down before the complaints became excessive.
On the way to our destination my coat was the only concern I had in my thoughts. What had I done with it? Had it been put away in an effort to tidy the house? Had I forgotten it someplace, never to retrieve it? Had someone else taken it? Had it been accidentally put in the washer and shrunk so much it could not be seen anymore? I did not pay any attention to the places we drove past on our journey, being too preoccupied with the disappearance of my best coat.
Even during the time spent at our destination I was too distracted thinking about my coat to appreciate the event we were attending. I merely hid myself until it was time for us to leave, distressed to point where I did not want to be seen by anyone else or have to talk to them. It was a relief to be back in the car and returning home.
Upon arriving back at out house I rushed upstairs and turned my room upside down in a newly-energised search for my beloved coat. I emptied my wardrobe and cabinets of all their contents and even moved my bed in case the coat had somehow been trapped beneath or behind it. As before, the coat was nowhere to be found, and I came to the conclusion that it was lost forever.
I sat down on the floor and faced the door. The afternoon had been a real downer, and now the evening was going the same way. Not only was my favourite coat missing, but my room was now a mess! Granted, it was all my own fault; if I had just been more careful...wait. What is that behind the door...
...my coat! It had been in my room all along! I had hung it up on the doorknob on the inside of my room, but I had not noticed the coat earlier since the door had been open wide all day and I never thought to look behind the door until I just saw part of the coat peeking out.
My worrying over the past few hours had been unnecessary, but I felt relieved when I reached for my coat and put it on. Next time I shall be more observant, and better at remembering where I leave my belongings.
-------------
This post was inspired by our recent trip to Cambridgeshire: before we left, I could not find the coat I usually wear when going out, and it was missing until it was found this morning in our garage. Most of the events in the above piece did not occur in real-life, and the parts that did were exaggerated for the sake of storytelling: in reality, while I was slightly annoyed that I could not find my coat, I was certainly not fussing over it the entire time we were out! In fact, I barely thought about it at all! If I ever did lose the coat for certain, I would be disappointed but I would not break down over it.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Cambridge picture or two (again)
Here are four pictures that I took yesterday during our trip to Cambridgeshire. I was indoors for most of the time out, as I was meeting up with some people; however, I did manage to get a few photographs while in the car. While I was at my event, Dad, Mum, and my brother all went to Littleport to see how much the place has changed since we moved from the town last July. All of these images were taken with my phone:
One of Cambridge's numerous spires, and this particular one belongs to the Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church. There was a bit of a traffic jam in this part of Cambridge as we left the city, but it meant the car was still enough for me to get a couple of good pictures of the building (despite the side mirror present in the picture, I was completely inside the car and my window was closed).
The same church, just from a different angle. I am pleased with how this image turned out.
A picture of a random park area during another time when our car was paused from the traffic. Unlike the region where aforementioned church is, I am not sure what the road the park is located on is called or where in Cambridge it is.
This was on the way back to Northamptonshire. It is blurry, as it was taken while our car was in motion at high speeds (well, 60-70mph). However, I like the contrast of the blurred, green plants in the foreground with the yellow of the flora in the field behind them.
As you can see, I did not take many pictures of the afternoon trip, but I hope the ones I did post were pleasing.
As you can see, I did not take many pictures of the afternoon trip, but I hope the ones I did post were pleasing.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Cambridge picture or two
We went to Cambridgeshire for a couple of hours this afternoon. Tomorrow I will post a couple of pictures I took while we were in Cambridge itself, as well as give a little insight into why we were there.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
The move to Cambridgeshire
It was exactly one year ago today that we fully moved into Littleport in Cambridgeshire. I remember feeling mixed emotions about the move: on one hand, we were leaving my grandparents' home and would be living independently again; but on the other, we would no longer be seeing family on a regular basis...which had been good considering we had not seen most of our relatives since leaving for the United States in 1996.
Moving all our belongings from the storage container to Littleport took two trips in a personal moving van to complete, plus help from my uncle and later my grandfather: the first journey had been done on the 7th, during which time the region in which the storage area was located as receiving a lot of snow: it did slow our work down, but we still got the job done in a timely manner. Fortunately, when we made the second trip the next day (when my grandfather accompanied us), the ground was wet but it was no longer snowing. It was sunny when we arrived in Littleport, but that day we learnt about the strong winds that occur in Cambridgeshire.
Shortly after unloading the van, Dad had to take it back to the local renting agency. I went with him while my uncle followed us in his car (he had to drive down in it to transport himself, my mother, and grandfather), and my grandfather in our car. I remember the moment when we said goodbye and parted ways at the agency, and another moment a little later when I watched my uncle's car travel back up the A1 road back to Nottingham until our own car turned a corner and they were out of sight. That was it...we were once again independent.
Six months later, we had then moved into our current location in Northamptonshire. While our stay was short, I am glad we had the change to experience Cambridgeshire, and can say that we once lived there, but I do admit that I prefer Northamptonshire and am happier here.
Moving all our belongings from the storage container to Littleport took two trips in a personal moving van to complete, plus help from my uncle and later my grandfather: the first journey had been done on the 7th, during which time the region in which the storage area was located as receiving a lot of snow: it did slow our work down, but we still got the job done in a timely manner. Fortunately, when we made the second trip the next day (when my grandfather accompanied us), the ground was wet but it was no longer snowing. It was sunny when we arrived in Littleport, but that day we learnt about the strong winds that occur in Cambridgeshire.
Shortly after unloading the van, Dad had to take it back to the local renting agency. I went with him while my uncle followed us in his car (he had to drive down in it to transport himself, my mother, and grandfather), and my grandfather in our car. I remember the moment when we said goodbye and parted ways at the agency, and another moment a little later when I watched my uncle's car travel back up the A1 road back to Nottingham until our own car turned a corner and they were out of sight. That was it...we were once again independent.
Six months later, we had then moved into our current location in Northamptonshire. While our stay was short, I am glad we had the change to experience Cambridgeshire, and can say that we once lived there, but I do admit that I prefer Northamptonshire and am happier here.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Closing of 2011
New Year's Eve...the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, in just a few short hours. We began this year watching television at my grandparents' house, but fortunately, this will not be the case for 2012 (well, I would not mind being at my grandparents' house, but I am glad we will not be watching TV!).
2011 has certainly been an interesting year, although there are several occasions where I wish it had been better: we all could have done without moving to Cambridgeshire in January, only to have to move again in the middle of the year to Northamptonshire (having to move really did slow things down for us). I also think I could have spent more time outside...thanks to the situation this year I spent a greater proportion of time inside than usual. On the bright side, we have able to see more of the United Kingdom this year, I have met interesting and kind new people, and we had a brilliant week in Nottingham with family during the summer. Another great event this year was starting Air Nice-to-Livelands! It has been good to share my thoughts, improve my typing, and meet new people through my blog...all at once.
I am looking forward to 2012: to begin with, there are some very important world events that I will be keeping a close eye on, although I admit I have already been following their progress for this year. There are issues that my family...and myself...have to work on in 2012, but I am sure we will deal with them accordingly.
Finally, I should also note that 2011 is the first year since 1995 that we have lived entirely in the United Kingdom.
I have said all I wanted to say for now. Have a good New Year's Eve everyone.
2011 has certainly been an interesting year, although there are several occasions where I wish it had been better: we all could have done without moving to Cambridgeshire in January, only to have to move again in the middle of the year to Northamptonshire (having to move really did slow things down for us). I also think I could have spent more time outside...thanks to the situation this year I spent a greater proportion of time inside than usual. On the bright side, we have able to see more of the United Kingdom this year, I have met interesting and kind new people, and we had a brilliant week in Nottingham with family during the summer. Another great event this year was starting Air Nice-to-Livelands! It has been good to share my thoughts, improve my typing, and meet new people through my blog...all at once.
I am looking forward to 2012: to begin with, there are some very important world events that I will be keeping a close eye on, although I admit I have already been following their progress for this year. There are issues that my family...and myself...have to work on in 2012, but I am sure we will deal with them accordingly.
Finally, I should also note that 2011 is the first year since 1995 that we have lived entirely in the United Kingdom.
I have said all I wanted to say for now. Have a good New Year's Eve everyone.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Thanksgiving 2011
All because we moved to the United Kingdom last year does not mean I have stopped celebrating Thanksgiving. If anything, one of the things I am thankful for is that my time in the United States and the United Kingdom has allowed me to be able to celebrate an expanded variety of occasions, and Thanksgiving itself is one of them. There were a few times in the United States where our friends took part in a British event with us, and I am looking forward to the day when we can do a similar thing in celebrating American events with people over here.
So what am I thankful for this year? Well, I am always thankful that my parents, brother, and myself are healthy; and that we all care for and about each other. I am thankful for being able to spend time with relatives both this year and last; and the Nottingham trip from three months ago is something I will not ever forget.
I am thankful that we left my grandparents' house at the beginning of the year to move to Cambridgeshire, and although the stay in Cambridgeshire was shorter than the time we spent living at my grandparents', I am thankful that we at least had the chance to experience that county. I am thankful that we have moved to Northamptonshire, and that our moves to both Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire went smoothly for the most part.
Finally, I am thankful for the new people I have met since I started this blog, and also thankful for my friend who convinced me to start my blog. You have all been great and I hope to meet more people, both in real-life and online.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So what am I thankful for this year? Well, I am always thankful that my parents, brother, and myself are healthy; and that we all care for and about each other. I am thankful for being able to spend time with relatives both this year and last; and the Nottingham trip from three months ago is something I will not ever forget.
I am thankful that we left my grandparents' house at the beginning of the year to move to Cambridgeshire, and although the stay in Cambridgeshire was shorter than the time we spent living at my grandparents', I am thankful that we at least had the chance to experience that county. I am thankful that we have moved to Northamptonshire, and that our moves to both Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire went smoothly for the most part.
Finally, I am thankful for the new people I have met since I started this blog, and also thankful for my friend who convinced me to start my blog. You have all been great and I hope to meet more people, both in real-life and online.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
A bridge in Ely
My Dad read the following article last night, and asked if any of us recognised the bridge subject in the article and shown in the pictures:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064815/Hapless-van-driver-roof-torn-ignoring-SIX-warning-signs-low-bridge.html
It was the bridge that we drove under several times when we lived in Cambridgeshire, as it is located just outside Ely. We also occasionally crossed around it, and there is a brief side lane for vehicles higher than 9 feet/2.7 metres.
When we moved to Cambridgeshire, we rented a large van so we could personally ship all our belongings to our new house. On the way back to Nottinghamshire that evening (it took two trips to move everything, and it could not all be done in one day), the route we went along took us on the road where the aforementioned bridge is located: a mile or two from that bridge, we drove under another bridge, and it had height warnings, although they were higher than 2.7 metres...standards that the van easily met.
At that point, Dad tried to remember the exact height of the van (I think it was a little over 3 metres in height). We did see the warning signs to the bridge in Ely, and upon reaching it, we slowed down then took the small side lane to dodge the bridge. Dad was still unsure of the van's height, but he knew it was definitely taller than 2.7 metres, and when we measured that van later we were glad he made the decision to turn off (although he was planning to use that road before we even made it to the bridge).
It was certainly interesting to read about somebody causing an incident that we were smart enough to avoid, and according to the article, nine vehicles exceeding the bridge's height restrictions have crashed into its underside this year. This is astounding, as the side lane to dodge the bridge is not exactly hard to miss.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064815/Hapless-van-driver-roof-torn-ignoring-SIX-warning-signs-low-bridge.html
It was the bridge that we drove under several times when we lived in Cambridgeshire, as it is located just outside Ely. We also occasionally crossed around it, and there is a brief side lane for vehicles higher than 9 feet/2.7 metres.
When we moved to Cambridgeshire, we rented a large van so we could personally ship all our belongings to our new house. On the way back to Nottinghamshire that evening (it took two trips to move everything, and it could not all be done in one day), the route we went along took us on the road where the aforementioned bridge is located: a mile or two from that bridge, we drove under another bridge, and it had height warnings, although they were higher than 2.7 metres...standards that the van easily met.
At that point, Dad tried to remember the exact height of the van (I think it was a little over 3 metres in height). We did see the warning signs to the bridge in Ely, and upon reaching it, we slowed down then took the small side lane to dodge the bridge. Dad was still unsure of the van's height, but he knew it was definitely taller than 2.7 metres, and when we measured that van later we were glad he made the decision to turn off (although he was planning to use that road before we even made it to the bridge).
It was certainly interesting to read about somebody causing an incident that we were smart enough to avoid, and according to the article, nine vehicles exceeding the bridge's height restrictions have crashed into its underside this year. This is astounding, as the side lane to dodge the bridge is not exactly hard to miss.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Fog
I am surprised by the amount of fog we have had here over the past week: the neighbourhood has been shrouded in fog nearly every morning and during some of the evenings. It has been years since I have seen fog this thick...any fog we had in Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire dissipated quickly, and was not heavy to begin with.
For the most part, the fog has not really been a problem, although it has been a minor nuisance when Dad goes to work each morning. Not when it comes to driving through it (as far as I am aware of anyway), but rather he has to use a towel to dry the mirrors and windscreen every morning.
Even so, the weather at this point is milder for us than it was this time last year: when we were still living in Nottinghamshire it was much, much colder and I think it was snowing by now. I just looked out my window, and there does not appear to be any fog outside at the moment, but as I said above, it has been more common during the mornings. It would be good to have a foggy afternoon, as I would not mind taking a walk through it.
For the most part, the fog has not really been a problem, although it has been a minor nuisance when Dad goes to work each morning. Not when it comes to driving through it (as far as I am aware of anyway), but rather he has to use a towel to dry the mirrors and windscreen every morning.
Even so, the weather at this point is milder for us than it was this time last year: when we were still living in Nottinghamshire it was much, much colder and I think it was snowing by now. I just looked out my window, and there does not appear to be any fog outside at the moment, but as I said above, it has been more common during the mornings. It would be good to have a foggy afternoon, as I would not mind taking a walk through it.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Bridleways
In the past I have written about public footpaths in the United Kingdom. Since moving to Northamptonshire, I noticed a sign for a similar type of path: public bridleways.
On a bridleway you are allowed to ride a horse down it, unlike public footpaths which are limited to people and dogs: other than that, I do not think there are any other differences between them, though I guess that bridleways are more common in rural areas. I suspect I did walk on some bridleways in Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, but I do not recall noticing signs similar to the one pictured above.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Rumbles Fish Bar
Back in June, I wrote about North East Cambridgeshire and what where we used to live in Littleport was like. I mentioned about the local fish bar, although I did not refer to it by its name, Rumbles Fish Bar. Prior to us leaving Littleport, my brother was able to take a picture of the take-out place:
We have not had any fish bar take-out meals since moving to Northamptonshire, although we have found a local Chinese restaurant that is very nice.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Itching
For the last week and a half, we have been itching a lot due to mosquito bites. We have had more bites recently than we ever had at any one time while living in the United States or our times in Nottinghamshire and then Cambridgeshire (I rarely even get any insect bites). Northamptonshire is further inland than Cambridgeshire, and to our knowledge we are not directly near a river, so it was baffling to us where all these bites were coming from.
Mum had a look in the back garden a few days ago, and she found a large water feature...and the water in its pot was stale, with loads of mosquitoes flying around it, and their eggs on the water. Now we knew the source of our bites! As such, we put some soap in the feature, and then dumped all the water that was inside the pot.
This seems to have stopped the vast majority of our insect bites. We are still itching, and have had a few more bites from left over mosquitoes, but once they go that will be it. At least this mosquito problem was controllable!
Mum had a look in the back garden a few days ago, and she found a large water feature...and the water in its pot was stale, with loads of mosquitoes flying around it, and their eggs on the water. Now we knew the source of our bites! As such, we put some soap in the feature, and then dumped all the water that was inside the pot.
This seems to have stopped the vast majority of our insect bites. We are still itching, and have had a few more bites from left over mosquitoes, but once they go that will be it. At least this mosquito problem was controllable!
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Move videos
Here are two videos that I took on our move day. I only took a few movies that day, and nearly all of them contained my family members in them, so therefore most will not be uploaded. These two, however, are safe, and I am sure they will be pleasant enough:
This one shows a brief part of the landscape on the A14 while going from Cambridgeshire to Northamptonshire.
This video shows the flags at The Fox Inn (along the A14) blowing in the wind.
This one shows a brief part of the landscape on the A14 while going from Cambridgeshire to Northamptonshire.
This video shows the flags at The Fox Inn (along the A14) blowing in the wind.
Friday, 8 July 2011
The move
Note: this is a long post!
As exhausting as moving day was, it went a lot smoother than I had anticipated. We got up at ~6:00 in the morning to put away the things that could only be packed at the last minute (bedding, the inflatable beds, the kettle, etc.), so that we would be ready for when the removal people came at 7:30. We did have everything ready before then, and were well on time, but when Mum phoned the removal company at 8:30, we did appear to fall behind. Worse yet, the weather looked like it was going to throw down a massive amount of rain.
It turned out that one of the removal guys was sick, and he had to be replaced with someone who was on their day off; plus, they had got stuck in traffic. They finally did arrive at 9:20, and when they came, the three guys surveyed all our belongings to figure out the best way to get them all into the truck. In addition, part of our moving package allowed us to have the moving guys disassemble pieces of furniture if we chose to have them do that, and as such, they had to see what they had to take apart.
Fortunately, with two guys taking the furniture out of the house, and then the garage, and the other guy in the truck fitting everything in, we were soon back on schedule. Even better, the rain only came in a few brief bursts, rather than chuck it down, and the guys were able to use the small showers to take breaks. Despite one of guys also having to disassemble a few pieces of furniture, they got the entire job done in about three hours…a far cry from the estimated 4 ½ hours to complete the task. Once they left to go to Northamptonshire, we did a small amount of cleaning in the house, took a few pictures/movies of the place, say goodbye to our next door neighbor, and then left our (now former) home in Littleport, Cambridgeshire.
We stopped off in Ely briefly to hand back the keys to our old place. While my brother and I were waiting in the parking lot, I spotted both an American flag and an English flag on top of a building! (I am not referring to the flag of the United Kingdom here, but rather, the flag of England itself.) I have never seen these two flags together before, and so I took a few pictures of them. We then left Ely and took the A14 to go to Northamptonshire.
On the way to Northamptonshire, we stopped off at a pub on the way called The Fox Inn to have lunch. At this pub I had a burger, and I have to say that it was the best burger I have ever had. In fact, it was so nice I shared a little bit of with my family (except for Mum, who was already having a burger) so they could try it too (if I think something is really tasty, rather than have it all to myself I prefer to share a little bit of it so others can see how good it is too). Outside the pub, three flags were being flown: the pub’s personal flag, the UK flag, and the US flag!
Our next stop was the agents’ place to pick up the keys for our new home, and once we had done that, we went to our new home in Northamptonshire. The removal guys were waiting for us there, but they had not been waiting long, and besides, our scheduled time to arrive at the place was about 5:00, and we were there before that time. It took an hour to unload the truck (my brother and I helped with this) and for one of the guys to re-assemble the furniture he had taken apart back in Littleport. They left once they were done.
As for the evening, Mum, Dad, and my brother went out to buy some sandwiches for dinner while I stayed to sort a few things out in my new room (I have my own room again now, for the first time in over a year!). After dinner, we got a load of unpacking done, despite the long day, and Dad even got the internet up and running (hence the brief post from yesterday). Not surprisingly, the house is a mess, and it will take time to sort it all out, but we are getting it done. I am glad we are living in a bigger house now, and there are more people around here. At least this was also a short move in camparison to moving halfway around the world last year!
Finally, I do have a few pictures and movies of the trip to Northamptonshire. When the equipment to transfer pictures from my camera to my computer is unpacked, I shall upload them!
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Heart Cambridge
The radio station I have been listening to the most here in North East Cambridgeshire has been Heart Cambridge. It plays a variety of music, ranging from songs that are new, into the 1990s to the 1970s, and to a few going back to the early 1960s. It is thanks to this station that I have been able to listen to artists such as Patsy Cline, Whitney Houston, the Bee Gees, Robbie Williams, and Barry White...the range of music I have listened to has been expanded. In addition, it has also played a few songs that I really liked listening to years ago on the radio, including "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter, "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt, and "Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson: while I can listen to these songs anytime, listening to them on the radio again brings back memories, and I thank Heart for this.
I tend to listen to it every night, and the late afternoons of every weekend, and at all the occasions I am listening to Heart Cambridge it is once the tasks of the day are done. I like the Late Show with Simon Beale, the Club Classics on Friday and Saturday nights, Harriet Scott on Saturday afternoons (previously Emma Bunton, but she is having a baby, so congratulations to her!), and the Top 40 on Sunday afternoons. The Late Show with Simon Beale is the show playing during weekdays except for Friday, and it is great to listen to it while relaxing to go to sleep. Nicola Bonn is also good whenever I have heard her fill in for somebody.
I tend to listen to it every night, and the late afternoons of every weekend, and at all the occasions I am listening to Heart Cambridge it is once the tasks of the day are done. I like the Late Show with Simon Beale, the Club Classics on Friday and Saturday nights, Harriet Scott on Saturday afternoons (previously Emma Bunton, but she is having a baby, so congratulations to her!), and the Top 40 on Sunday afternoons. The Late Show with Simon Beale is the show playing during weekdays except for Friday, and it is great to listen to it while relaxing to go to sleep. Nicola Bonn is also good whenever I have heard her fill in for somebody.
It has been wonderful to hear songs I have never heard before, and to hear a few songs that I have not heard on the radio for years. I will definitely miss Heart Cambridge, its music, and its presenters when we move.
Friday, 10 June 2011
North East Cambridgeshire (again)
Here are two images I took this nice, sunny (with a few clouds) morning here in North East Cambridgeshire during a walk I had. The first picture is of a local footpath:
The other is of a nearby field, with trees and buildings in the background. To the far left of this image the tallest tower of Ely Cathedral can be seen:
It was a beautiful morning! As of this writing, it is cloudy (more so than in the above picture), with rainclouds in the air.
The other is of a nearby field, with trees and buildings in the background. To the far left of this image the tallest tower of Ely Cathedral can be seen:
It was a beautiful morning! As of this writing, it is cloudy (more so than in the above picture), with rainclouds in the air.
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