Boxing Day Sales and an Intimidating Experience at M & S

Not M & S

I was visiting Chelmsford today, and my wife thought she would like to call into her favourite clothing outlet to see if there were any bargains at the sales. As I was not keen on following her while she examined things of interest; we agreed to meet at Marks and Spencer. Meanwhile I had a look around the High Street to get the general feel of the sales. There didn’t seem to be frenzy, but I saw several people carrying bags stuffed with items. Not all shops were open, but those that were all had sales, some offering up to 80% off.

Not M & S

I happily photographed the sales until I came to Marks and Spencer in the High Street. There I took three photos and I noticed a security guard and another large man approaching me. They placed themselves either side of me and one asked if I had been taking photos, to which I agreed. He said I was not allowed to take photos and demanded I deleted the ones I had taken. I asked why and he said something about competitors which I did not understand. Not wishing to cause a fuss, and somewhat intimidated by these large individuals, I apologised for breaking the rules, but said I was unaware of a photo ban. I explained I had taken photos of sales taking place in other shops and that I would use them for my blog. They insisted I MUST delete the ones taken in M & S. I could have refused, but to be obliging I deleted all three photos. As I did so they wanted to make sure I actually deleted them and watched what I was doing to satisfy themselves. All of this took place in the open store as passers-by were curious as to what was happening.

Not M & S

I said I would mention what had happened on my blog and the spokesman told me that I should not do so. I replied that I would do what I liked on my blog. At that point they left me alone.  I looked for signs prohibiting photography within the store and found none. Since then I’ve searched the M & S website and I’ve not been able to find anything about the prohibition. I believe there should be a polite notice at the entrance of M & S explaining the ban for their customers.

The experience had not been pleasant, and my view of M & S has markedly changed. I shall try to forget what happened, but I fear it will be difficult. Enjoying shopping at M & S in the near future will no longer be the case. In fact, I doubt I shall want to go there.

Links

The Photo Marks & Spencer tried to Ban

http://thechiefexecutive.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/photo-marks-spencer-tried-to-ban.html

High Chelmer Shopping Centre

http://www.highchelmer.com/page/468/How-To-Find-Us

Christmas Day

Born free

 

Has the day brought joy and gladness? Did you find peace in your heart? Who was at the centre of your thoughts? And dare I ask if you had time for prayer? If your day was like mine you would have rejoiced and been thankful for all your blessings.

Ready for the feast

The children were totally spoiled with many presents, but what fun there was! Pirate costumes, sword fights, shouts and laughter, LeapPad earphones, quiet moments, DVDs and plenty to eat. There were tears, tantrums and disappointments too. The devil lurked in dark corners and tried his best to spoil; he stabbed here and there, but to no avail.

Can you find the Star of David?

The spirit of Christmas prevailed; love overcame, and family bonds were strengthened. There was a growing together and an acceptance of our weaknesses, along with a better understanding of who were are and how we relate.

Thank you God for Christmas Day because it is a time when we celebrate the birth of a very special infant, the Holy Jesus, born of a Virgin.

Luke 1:34, 35 ‘Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”’

The Excitement of Christmas Eve

 

What can I say about Christmas Eve that hasn’t already been said? Kids throughout the world get excited because they expect they will receive presents the following day. Likewise on Christmas Eve parents and other adults become excited at the prospect of giving and receiving presents. Father Christmas or Santa Claus is the one who will bring them with the aid of his legendary reindeer and sleigh.

Here’s a poem that captures the excitement:

‘Twas the Night before Christmas’ by Clement Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"


My Excitement

 

I get excited on Christmas Eve because of the thought of celebrating the birth of the Saviour Jesus on Christmas Day. Nothing could be more significant than His birth, because without it there could be no Christendom and no salvation.

Luke 2:7, 7 ‘So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.’

Links

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twas_the_Night_Before_Christmas

Christmas Eve

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2005/12/christmas-eve.html

Carols from Kings

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/carols-from-kings.html

Christmas Eve

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Eve

Christmas Eve in United Kingdom

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/christmas-eve

Central Heating etc

Not a pretty sight

When I was a kid our house was heated by coal fires, and hot water was heated by an anthracite stove. We had gas, but there were no gas fires. The cooker was fuelled by gas, i.e., coal gas that was piped from the local gasworks. There was no double-glazing or efficient seals for windows or doors. Air passed though grills that were set into brick walls for ventilating spaces under the wooden floors. There was no insulation in the loft, and lagging around pipes and cisterns was used to prevent them from freezing, but it was not always effective.

Since those times in the early 1940s great advances have been made with energy conservation and there are more efficient systems for heating our homes. Natural gas has replaced coal gas and LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) can be an alternative fuel. Oil and LPG have to be delivered in bulk to storage tanks that are usually set apart from the house. Some people like wood burning stoves suitable for pellets, chips or logs. Coal has gone out of fashion, but anthracite-type fuels are still available.

Many householders are installing solar panels, and a few are turning to wind turbines – that’s if planning permission can be obtained. A large propeller at the top of a tower that is sited in your garden is not likely to be welcomed by neighbours. On the other hand, solar or wind generated electricity that is surplus to requirements can be sold to certain suppliers. Therefore if it is feasible to install a wind generator, in the long term it could pay for itself.

The photo at the top is of a number of pipes linked to two Potterton gas boilers at my church. The boilers do a good job by rapidly heating the building which has been insulated to minimise loss of heat.

Links

Potterton Boilers

http://www.potterton.co.uk/xml/222.htm

Home Heating Guide

http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/british-gas-boilers.html?gclid= 

Heating Oil Quote

http://www.boilerjuice.com/

Heating Systems

 http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/home-heating-systems/options-for-heating-your-home/  

Stoves

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/coal-types.html

Anthracite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthracite

 

Gingerbread Decoration

There is something very satisfying in the making and baking of gingerbread, at least, that’s the experience of my wife who has made a Christmas table centrepiece for when we shall have dinner at my daughter’s place on Christmas Day. The basic pieces were shaped from rolled gingerbread by the use of sharp metal cutters. After the pieces were baked they were assembled and ‘cemented’ together by icing sugar. They were then decorated with trailed icing sugar and colourful chocolate buttons.

My wife enjoyed having our grandsons help her by sticking chocolate buttons to the roof of the house.

Every part of the centrepiece is edible, but I doubt any of us will want to eat it after demolishing a traditional Christmas day roast. 

Gingerbread Recipe

Ingredients:

125 grams of butter

115 grams of caster sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon of milk

375 grams of plain flour

1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

3 teaspoons of ground ginger

2 tablespoons of syrup or treacle

Preparation and cooking:

Beat butter and sugar together

Add egg and milk with further beating

Sift flour, bicarbonate and ginger over the mixture and add the syrup.

Knead it all together

Roll the gingerbread mix between baking parchment sheets until 3 millimetres thick if making the gingerbread house and cut out shapes

Bake in an oven at Mark 4 for 15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch

Extra Items required if making the gingerbread house:

Baking parchment sheets

Roller

Metal cutting set from Lakeland

Edible decorations

Icing sugar nozzles and bags for same

Palette knife

Cake board

Link

Lakeland

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/Homepage.action

Final Curtain

21^st December 2012 marks the end of the Mayan calendar and it is the date that millions believe the world will come to an end. Well, if you are reading this, clearly the prediction was wrong, but one thing for sure is that where there is a beginning there is an end. We begin our physical life in a fallopian tube and end our physical life when our body ceases to function. Although there was a beginning to the universe there will be an end to it.

Those are sobering thoughts, even more so if you believe there is a state of eternal existence, another dimension where there is no death and where life has always been and for ever will be. The Christian God identified* Himself to Moses as, “I AM WHO I AM”, which means He is the One who self-exists, who is and who will be for ever.

Millions have been flapping around making inadequate provision for the final curtain. The question is, ‘Are we ready for our final curtain?’

*Exodus 3:14

Links

The Mayan Calendar – End Date

http://www.planetpapp.com/br21december2012/  

I  AM THAT I AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_that_I_Am

Mayan End Age 12-21-2012 heralds a New Age of spiritual enlightenment

http://www.adishakti.org/mayan_end_times_prophecy_12-21-2012.htm

2012 phenomenon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon

Mayan apocalypse: panic spreads as December 21 nears

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9730618/Mayan-apocalypse-panic-spreads-as-December-21-nears.html

Fallopian Tube

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallopian_tube

 

Patisserie Valerie

My wife and I visited Southend-on-Sea for final shopping before Christmas. Heavy rain eased as we walked up the High Street. My wife remarked that Patisserie Valerie had arrived in town; therefore we made a point of seeing what was on offer.  Displayed in the windows and behind counters there was a fantastic array of fabulously sumptuous cakes and patisseries. People were stopping to admire the stunning, mouth-watering selection of creamy, chocolate and fruit gateaux.  

Belgium born Madam Valerie opened her first café in Frith Street, London, in 1926 with the mission of introducing the finest continental patisserie to the English. Patisserie Valeria went on to become a successful business, today having 23 cafes in London, 42 elsewhere in England and 2 in Edinburgh.  All of their cakes and patisseries are handmade with fresh ingredients, many containing real cream and exotic fruit. A huge range is on offer, but individual cakes can be made to order, including those for weddings and other celebratory occasions. Here’s a list of a few that make the mouth water: Double Chocolate Gateau, Chocolate Mirror, Fresh Exotic fruit Gateau, Black Forest Gateau, Profiteroles Valerie Style and Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana Gateau.

There was no time for sampling a delight today, but we have earmarked Patisserie Valerie for a relaxing treat, perhaps in the New Year.

Links

Patisserie Valerie

http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/ 

Unwanted and Needed Gifts

I was having my hair cut when my hairdresser asked what ‘prezzies’ I wanted for Christmas. This took me aback and I had to think. In fact, there was nothing I desired. I had everything I could ever need. I was even more surprised when I realised that I had not thought about presents for myself. There truly was nothing I wanted! If I needed anything, then I might want it.

At this time of year when people habitually give gifts, many are given that are not wanted, indeed loads of them are never used. They end up in cupboards or lofts where they gather dust and are forgotten. Even children reject gifts they do not want and they set them to one side.

The latest advertisements for children’s Christmas presents are designed to encourage adults into buying trendy items such as Leap Pad 2 or Barbie Puppy Play Park.  Apparently, Peppa Pig and Zhu Zhu Hamsters are not so hip this year.

An advertisement in similar vein that caught my eye was in the form of a poster outside my local Methodist Church. At first I saw an image of a realistic looking boy doll; then I read the words:

Godbaby

The gift that loves you back.

At the bottom in small print were the words:

Christmas starts with Christ

Further scrutiny revealed a website address: christmasstarts.com .

I was hooked and wanted to know more. When back at home, I could not resist looking at the website which tells of God’s perfect gift, the gift of His Son.

Like so many gifts, this most precious gift will be rejected. People do not want Him. They are unaware that they need Him.

Links

Christmas Starts.com

http://www.christmasstarts.com/ 

Christmas Toys.org.uk

http://www.christmastoys.org.uk/

Leap Pad 2

http://www.topkidstoys.org.uk/product/LeapFrog-LeapPad-Explorer-2-Green.html

Barbie Puppy Play Park

http://www.tesco.com/direct/barbie-puppy-play-park/305-9321.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=305-9321&sc_cmp=ppc_b_barbie%20puppy%20play%20park_e

Zhu Zhu Hamsters

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zhu+zhu%27s+hamsters&tag=mh0a9-21&index=toys&hvadid=454474997&ref=pd_sl_21zkxbxduw_e

Why the toy industry may not have much to look forward to this Christmas

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/why-the-toy-industry-may-not-have-much-to-look-forward-to-this-christmas-8424764.html

.

 

Odd Jobs

 

I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Soon all jobs around the house I intended doing will be finished. Today, I tackled a few loose ends in an attempt to complete the aforementioned. For sure there will be more, because like a boat, a house for ever needs attention. Without renewal here and there a house will decay and fall into disrepair, even fall down; likewise a boat will deteriorate and eventually sink!

 

Three little things required doing in the kitchen: I had to cut and fit a plinth to the base of the work unit beside the cooker; fit a knob to the cupboard door where the old oven had been, and reseat coving that had fallen away from the ceiling immediately above the sink. Forty five minutes and they were done.

When I fitted aluminium edging to worktops by the cooker last Friday, I glued them with Evo-Stik. I thought the adhesive was really effective because some ended up on my fingers and I had great difficulty removing it. I have a feeling that the modern version of the glue is far better than the original - correct me if I am wrong. As I had plenty left over from doing the edging, I used a small quantity to attach the coving to the ceiling.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ‘For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.’

Links

Evo-Stik

http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/evo-stik/Impact/6

Building ‘Sharpy’, Part 49

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/building-sharpy-part-49.html

 

Curtains

Making an extension

Made

 

On Monday, 10^th December I fitted vertical blinds to the windows of the box room. That left me with the problem of refitting the curtains I had taken down. Somehow I had to devise a system of support for the track so that the curtains would be clear of the blinds when they were open. I had to extend the old brackets by eight centimetres or find replacement brackets of the right length.

Joined with nuts and bolts

 

Track in place

Done

Despite a thorough search at local stores and on the Internet, I could not get hold of new brackets. They were no longer available, the last being produced in 2009. There was only one thing for it, and that was to make my own extensions for the existing brackets. I had aluminium pieces left over from when I tidied the workbench beside the new cooker, and there was enough of it for five extensions.

Everything went to plan, and I was pleased with the finished result. The photos show how it was done.

Links

Vertical Blinds

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/vertical-blinds.html

Matt Layden’s Sailboats

I have always been a fan of Matt Layden’s boats because they incorporate features that I value. He brings to the fore a certain utilitarian, minimalist functionality of design which is closely linked to sound ergonomics.

The most profound statements are expressed with few words to maximum effect, and his boats are like that. They are like the line drawings of Pablo Picasso who could reveal form and express emotion with a few apparent squiggles, but in fact his drawings are highly sensitive, select renderings of light and shade recorded by the artist through the means of a pen, pencil, charcoal or crayon.

Matt is always protective of his crew, and apart from his smaller boats, he never exposes the crew to the full blast of the elements: wind, waves, rain or sun. Safety is paramount, and he achieves this by engineering the boat in such a way that she can be operated from the comfort of the cabin. There is little need for her crew to go on deck. All that is necessary for working the boat is to hand. The ratio of sail to ballast is in favour of the boat remaining upright. Resistance to forward motion is minimal. There is little under the hull to cause drag; only the external surface which can be as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Above the waterline there is no excessive top-hamper to bring about resistance.  A single short mast coupled with a sail that has a low centre of effort can withstand the onslaught of an unexpected squall. Initial heeling brings high buoyancy on account of the hull having a single chine or firm bilge. His boats have excellent directional stability, and they are well balanced, while responding positively to the tiller.

One of Matt’s earlier sailboats was ‘Swamp Thing’, a small decked sharpie that he sailed from Florida to the Bahamas and back.

Later he built ‘Little Cruiser’, now owned by Dave and Mindy Balduc.

‘Paradox’ is the most well-known of his designs. Many have been built worldwide, and on the whole their owners are full of praise for their boats. She is not without fault, however, the least obvious one being her hesitancy in going about from starboard tack to port tack. I believe this happens because her mast is offset to port and the sail is set on the port side of the mast, causing drag on that side. She is not the most spontaneous sailboat for launching and recovering from the water, particularly when being managed by a lone crew; hence day sailing from a road trailer is not really viable. The time and effort taken to launch and retrieve is just not worth it– at least, that’s my opinion. I do know of people who have slicker operations that was mine with ‘Faith’, because their road trailers are more user friendly.

A little easier to manage is Matt’s ‘Elusion’, which he has transported on top of his car, but for me a road trailer would be preferable. Removable wheels that slot into the sides of the hull make it easy for portaging. ‘Elusion’ is not as foolproof when at sea as ‘Paradox’, on account of being more dependent on the ability of the crew for keeping her upright when the going gets tough on account of rough seas and strong winds.

‘Sand Flee’ is similar, but shorter and wider she is an audacious little cruiser - one that stretches the imagination, not the budget. In Matt’s capable hands she sailed hundreds of miles on the shallow waters of the Everglades.

‘Enigma’ is perhaps the most versatile of his designs, since she can be used for day sailing and for cruising.

Links

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/elusion-matt-laydens-micro-sailboat.html

‘Swamp Thing’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/swamp-thing.html

‘Enigma’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/enigma.html

‘Little Cruiser’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/little-cruiser-dave-and-mindy-bolduc.html

‘Sand Flee’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/sand-flee.html

Microcruising - Pictures

 http://www.microcruising.com/pictures.htm

Pablo Picasso

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso

I had an adventure in the loft this morning searching for all the Christmas paraphernalia, most importantly parts for assembling the tree. Our six foot ‘snow’ tree bought at TESCO some years ago is still going strong. Bit by bit I put the colour-coded parts together, starting with the trunk which was comprised of four pieces that slotted together.

Two of our young grandsons came to help decorate the tree. They were a great at sorting and checking baubles before attaching them to the tips of branches. Of course, they could not reach the higher ones, and that’s where I was of use.  Between us we established a few rules for decorating the tree. Large items would be attached first, followed by smaller and smaller ones, until none were left. I arranged the fairy lights before the children arrived.

By way of decorations in addition to the tree, we have a three foot papier-mâché Father Christmas and a cheerful, cotton wool snowman wearing a colourful scarf. We also have miniature LED lights that emit an attractive pale green glow and they usually form part of the mantelshelf decorations devised by my wife. She comes up with various themes year by year. Candlelight adds to the magic on Christmas Eve when the main lights are dimmed. Then it is always special, because all has been done and the scene is set for Christmas Day.

We shall, of course, enjoy meeting all the church folk that morning for a time of worship before going our separate ways. No doubt most of us will have traditional Christmas fare before listening to the Queen’s speech. The children won’t be so keen, as they will want to play with their new toys and games. For me, a family gathering is always rewarding, and this year we shall celebrate together at our youngest daughter’s place.

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill

toward men!”

Links

Papier-mâché

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9

TESCO  6’ Snow Alps Spruce Christmas Tree

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-6ft-snow-alps-spruce-christmas-tree/233-9853.prd

LED Christmas Tree

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/led-christmas-tree.html

Yachtsman’s Christmas Tree

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2005/12/yachtsmans-christmas-tree.html

Nearly There

Well, for those who have been following my progress towards completing the installation of the new cooker, I can tell you I am nearly finished. The photos make it pretty clear what occupied me this afternoon. I only have to fit a handle to the book cabinet and a plinth to the base of one of the work units; then I’m finished. That’s a bold statement, because no doubt the kitchen will require repainting.

 

 

I’m sure you spotted the mistake, which goes to show how imperfect my workmanship was. How I came to do it defeats me. I clearly made an error with my measuring and didn’t twig on. Never mind, my wife quite likes her new oven, and that’s what counts.

Philippians 3:12 ‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.’

Link

Homebase – Where I bought the aluminium edging

http://www.homebase.co.uk/