I have shed the baggage from 15 years in the wind industry like a snake shedding skin.
Each shedding leaves less trace of what has come before, and what was once important, is no longer.
I do not miss the work or the company. I do miss my colleagues.
I downloaded Teams so we could call, but calling is not possible, so we swap messages. And we have also facetimed.
I have realised that what is still important to my former colleagues is more of the same old, same old story.
And I have no time to listen to it now.
It made me realise that leaving was the right thing to do, as what irked me these last four years still has not been improved.
They carry on fighting the good fight.
I surrendered, and sheathed my sword of truth and justice.
And it feels good.
My work life balance is now perfect.
Friday, 4 April 2025
Friday 4th April 2025
Dancing Ledge and Dorset gets their Early Spiders a good couple of weeks before Kent. And with us travelling on Saturday, Friday was the last chance for me to see a UK Hardy Orchid before May.
Jools went to yoga first thing, while I laid in bed to half six, then up to do the bins and the other chores.
We had much more planned, but there is only so much we can do, so Jools decided to skip aquafit, and so I was able to go to Samphire Hoe to check on the orchids.
We have breakfast first, and then I am gone, driving into town then up the A20 before turning off.
Samphire Hoe is well known for these orchids, but it is bedevilled with keen westerlies that stunts growth until the weather really warms up.
But there is one spot, under the lea of the cliffs that creates its own microclimate, and allows a few spikes to be earlier than the main colony.
Even so, it was a faint hope that after parking, I set off down the sea wall, chatting to the lone fisherman who had the same views regarding his chances as mine.
Another chap, a twitcher, was watching the cliffs, looking for Black redstarts and Peregrines. I ask if he minded if I went to the cliffs . He was laid back, so I approached the chaky steps and the narrow passageway.
Every winter the colony is bombarded with rocks from above, buring the previous season's plants. I go to the far end, then shuffle back, seeing no orchids.
Until about 10m up, a single small spike, with open flower was seen.
I could have tried to clim the scree slope, but could have fallen of trampled other plants, so I took a shot and that was that.
I walked back, and shared the finds with the two guys, then walked back to the site offices and beyond to the overflow car park, where I saw a single rosette last month.
I failed to find it again, and the warden then appeared and told me there were no spikes in flower along the path, thus saving me a long walk.
So, a check of another little-known spot, I walked back to the car and drove back to the tunnel.
Back home so Jools could take Scully back to the vets for another seventy quid check up, then I make lunch of pancakes with the leftover pudding batter.
And then to Jen's for an afternoon of cards with added Sylv adding great distraction. A single round of Meld took nearly three hours, as I predicted, and by then it was time to go to collect the pizza for early supper, so we could get home to jab Scully then pack.
We are just about set. We should have everything we need, if not, its too late now.
Jools went to yoga first thing, while I laid in bed to half six, then up to do the bins and the other chores.
We had much more planned, but there is only so much we can do, so Jools decided to skip aquafit, and so I was able to go to Samphire Hoe to check on the orchids.
We have breakfast first, and then I am gone, driving into town then up the A20 before turning off.Samphire Hoe is well known for these orchids, but it is bedevilled with keen westerlies that stunts growth until the weather really warms up.
But there is one spot, under the lea of the cliffs that creates its own microclimate, and allows a few spikes to be earlier than the main colony.
Even so, it was a faint hope that after parking, I set off down the sea wall, chatting to the lone fisherman who had the same views regarding his chances as mine.Another chap, a twitcher, was watching the cliffs, looking for Black redstarts and Peregrines. I ask if he minded if I went to the cliffs . He was laid back, so I approached the chaky steps and the narrow passageway.
Every winter the colony is bombarded with rocks from above, buring the previous season's plants. I go to the far end, then shuffle back, seeing no orchids.
Until about 10m up, a single small spike, with open flower was seen.I could have tried to clim the scree slope, but could have fallen of trampled other plants, so I took a shot and that was that.
I walked back, and shared the finds with the two guys, then walked back to the site offices and beyond to the overflow car park, where I saw a single rosette last month.
I failed to find it again, and the warden then appeared and told me there were no spikes in flower along the path, thus saving me a long walk.So, a check of another little-known spot, I walked back to the car and drove back to the tunnel.
Back home so Jools could take Scully back to the vets for another seventy quid check up, then I make lunch of pancakes with the leftover pudding batter.
And then to Jen's for an afternoon of cards with added Sylv adding great distraction. A single round of Meld took nearly three hours, as I predicted, and by then it was time to go to collect the pizza for early supper, so we could get home to jab Scully then pack.
We are just about set. We should have everything we need, if not, its too late now.
Thursday 3rd April 2025
Thursday.
And a day, part-filled with chores.
I now set the alarm for half six, and even if I don't leap out of bed right away, I am awake, meaning fair game for Mulder who comes to say hello and meow in my face.
Hello, handsome boy.
I get up, we have coffee, and then go to the gym for a session on the bikes. I up a level and really push myself, so do my best session since we started going. The new tax year has seen the cost of a session increase from £9 to £13, which is rather more than the rate of inflation.
Back home for breakfast, then into town for a haircut at one of the many Turkish barbers that have sprung up.
I am shorn, then with some lighted wick thing he burns the fuzz off from and on my ears.
And is done.
There is little else to do down town, other than get a haircut, there are vape shops, charity shops. And even WH Smith is either going to close or be rebranded now the chain has been sold.
Will Boots be next?
I walk back to the car and drive back home, making bacon butties when I get in as we try to use most of the stuff from the fridge.
The first suitcase is packed, and so with the afternoon stretching out, I watch more Bangers and Cash, while Jools makes a crochet gorilla.
Which she finishes in the evening, now it sits on the stairs,mournfully judging us as we walk round it.
I go for a walk round the neighbourhood, mainly to check on the colony of Coltsfoot on Collingwood, which as I suspected have been attacked by one householder with herbicide, but a few spikes survive among the small bed next to the path, which I snap.
Dinner is toad-in-the-hole: A Yorkshire Pudding with sausages in. Came out not so good, but good enough when paired with the ultra-crispy roast potatoes and steamed vegetables.
There is football, the last Prem game I will watch until May. Chelsea beat Spurs, and while it burbles to itself, I check us in for our flight on Saturday.
Its getting close.
And a day, part-filled with chores.
I now set the alarm for half six, and even if I don't leap out of bed right away, I am awake, meaning fair game for Mulder who comes to say hello and meow in my face.
Hello, handsome boy.
I get up, we have coffee, and then go to the gym for a session on the bikes. I up a level and really push myself, so do my best session since we started going. The new tax year has seen the cost of a session increase from £9 to £13, which is rather more than the rate of inflation.
Back home for breakfast, then into town for a haircut at one of the many Turkish barbers that have sprung up.I am shorn, then with some lighted wick thing he burns the fuzz off from and on my ears.
And is done.
There is little else to do down town, other than get a haircut, there are vape shops, charity shops. And even WH Smith is either going to close or be rebranded now the chain has been sold.
Will Boots be next?I walk back to the car and drive back home, making bacon butties when I get in as we try to use most of the stuff from the fridge.
The first suitcase is packed, and so with the afternoon stretching out, I watch more Bangers and Cash, while Jools makes a crochet gorilla.
Which she finishes in the evening, now it sits on the stairs,mournfully judging us as we walk round it.I go for a walk round the neighbourhood, mainly to check on the colony of Coltsfoot on Collingwood, which as I suspected have been attacked by one householder with herbicide, but a few spikes survive among the small bed next to the path, which I snap.
Dinner is toad-in-the-hole: A Yorkshire Pudding with sausages in. Came out not so good, but good enough when paired with the ultra-crispy roast potatoes and steamed vegetables.There is football, the last Prem game I will watch until May. Chelsea beat Spurs, and while it burbles to itself, I check us in for our flight on Saturday.
Its getting close.
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Apparently, its Wednesday.
Yes, already, just my second week into retirement and I have no idea what day of the week t it.
We had planned to return to the gym, but other chores meant that was put back 24 hours, so we could go shopping in Tesco and then go to see Jen and Sylv afterwards.
Tesco at just gone nine was pretty empty, so we might come again at that time. We buy stuff for lunch for Wednesday and Thursday, then go to Jen's to arrange with her and Sylv the final details of operation cat-sit.
Jen had gon with John to the tip, but Sylv was there, blow-drying her hair.
We have a good chat, and a brew. Jen and John return, cards is arranged for Friday, then we set sail for home and breakfast.
Another bright, sunny but cold day, with the biting wind cutting through and making being outside really difficult. We have bacon butties for lunch, then I watch Bangers and Cash whilst Jools carries on crocheting a gorilla toy for Sean and Ange's grand-daughter.
The afternoon passes slowly.
In the background there is always the preparation for the trip to India, washing and packing and preparing.
Dinner was chorizo hash, again. Another triumph, of course.
And then the Merseyside Derby, Liverpool v Everton on the tellybox.
And wine to drink.
Yes, already, just my second week into retirement and I have no idea what day of the week t it.
We had planned to return to the gym, but other chores meant that was put back 24 hours, so we could go shopping in Tesco and then go to see Jen and Sylv afterwards.
Tesco at just gone nine was pretty empty, so we might come again at that time. We buy stuff for lunch for Wednesday and Thursday, then go to Jen's to arrange with her and Sylv the final details of operation cat-sit.
Jen had gon with John to the tip, but Sylv was there, blow-drying her hair.We have a good chat, and a brew. Jen and John return, cards is arranged for Friday, then we set sail for home and breakfast.
Another bright, sunny but cold day, with the biting wind cutting through and making being outside really difficult. We have bacon butties for lunch, then I watch Bangers and Cash whilst Jools carries on crocheting a gorilla toy for Sean and Ange's grand-daughter.
The afternoon passes slowly.
In the background there is always the preparation for the trip to India, washing and packing and preparing.
Dinner was chorizo hash, again. Another triumph, of course.
And then the Merseyside Derby, Liverpool v Everton on the tellybox.
And wine to drink.
Thursday, 3 April 2025
Tariffs
Back in 2016, I quickly learned, thanks to Brexit, that anyone who talked about trade solely in terms of tariffs, really didn't understand trade at all.
So far, so Brexit.
But Donald Judas Trump has been pbsessed with tariffs for decades, and so yesterday, he fulfilled his dream of imposing tariffs on the entire world, but not Russia.
After the announcement, some people cleaver than myself did calculations and showed that the barriers other countries had supposedly imposed on the US were totally wrong. So, how did Trump get his figures?
"The Trump administration calculated "tariff rates" by taking the US trade deficit with the respective country and dividing it by the country's exports to the US. And then the tariff rate of the US is often just set by cutting that made-up "tariff rate" in half."
"Furthermore, the Trump admin only used the trade deficit in goods. And if the US balance of trade with a country is roughly even (or trade deficit to imports is less than 10%), the tariff rate is listed as 10%."
And whchever database the administration took the list of countries from, it seems the US have acknowelgded Taiwan for the first time, and :
"He has introduced a 10% tariff on the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The only inhabited island there is Diego Garcia, home to US service personnel.
TRUMP HAS PUT A TARIFF ON A US MILITARY BASE!"
Trump also imposed 10% tariffs on Heard Island in the Antarctic, inhabited only by penguins, and therefore has no exports or imports with the US or anyone else.
To quote Bernstein:
"The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.”
So far, so Brexit.
But Donald Judas Trump has been pbsessed with tariffs for decades, and so yesterday, he fulfilled his dream of imposing tariffs on the entire world, but not Russia.
After the announcement, some people cleaver than myself did calculations and showed that the barriers other countries had supposedly imposed on the US were totally wrong. So, how did Trump get his figures?
"The Trump administration calculated "tariff rates" by taking the US trade deficit with the respective country and dividing it by the country's exports to the US. And then the tariff rate of the US is often just set by cutting that made-up "tariff rate" in half."
"Furthermore, the Trump admin only used the trade deficit in goods. And if the US balance of trade with a country is roughly even (or trade deficit to imports is less than 10%), the tariff rate is listed as 10%."
And whchever database the administration took the list of countries from, it seems the US have acknowelgded Taiwan for the first time, and :
"He has introduced a 10% tariff on the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The only inhabited island there is Diego Garcia, home to US service personnel.
TRUMP HAS PUT A TARIFF ON A US MILITARY BASE!"
Trump also imposed 10% tariffs on Heard Island in the Antarctic, inhabited only by penguins, and therefore has no exports or imports with the US or anyone else.
To quote Bernstein:
"The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.”
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Tuesday 1st April 2025
Being retired means going orchiding when you feel like it.
Not just orchiding, of course. But going to the gym, doing the garden or whatever.
Although I knew it was unlikely to see any orchids in flower, a walk in the woods is never wasted.
So, after another lay in to half seven, then up for coffee and breakfast before we go out just before ten.
I drop Jools off in Lydden so she could visit a friend, and I could drive to the orchid fields of east Kent.
Onto the A2 then down through Bridge, and again through the woods and fruit farms to Hardres, down Stone Street before turning off.
Don the narrowest of narrow lanes, there is a small parking space, allowing room for a couple of cars, and access to one of the gates into the reserve of Yockletts.
I know the reserve well, the long slow climb in the open gallop to the lower meadow, where I pause to take in the scene and look for Green Hairstreaks, which have been reported elsewhere on the wing.
But not here. Last year's grass is faded green, and little sign of this year's.
Down then to the area round a fallen tree where the Fly Orchids grow thick. There was a good half dozen well developed spikes. None now or before the weekend will flower.
Up the slope to the top track so I could check on the two large Lady Orchid rosettes, well developed again, but with no spikes.
Everywhere is a carpet of amemonies, bluebells and primroses, its glorious. And although no butterflies were seen, the air is full of birdsong.
Over The Gogway, and pausing to snap the Townhall Clock plants, now struggling in open sunlight now the trees and scrub has been cut back, then up the slope to the upper meadow.
Numbers of orchids are well down. Only Early Purple were in the bluebell wood, Fly were only visible where numbers are hight, and Lady Orchids were restricted to a few places.
Yes, its early, but there should be more rosettes than these.
I stop at the upper meadow after the climb, usually butterflies sweep by frequently. But not today.
But Dark-boarded Bee-flies are everywhere, though skittish, I do get a couple of series of shots.
The rest of the reserve is closed due to Ash die back, so I turn back down the slope, over the lane and back up through the woods to the car.
Nearing the car, I disturb a Peacock sunning itself on the path, and that in turn disturbed a Small Tortoiseshell, the first I have seen for 21 months, rses into the air, then comes back down and settles to bask.
I get shots.
It was then a hundred yards back to the car, and time to go to pick Jools up as she walked along the main road from Lydden to Temple Ewell.
We thought we would go out for lunch, and after a few suggestions, we went to The Plough in Ripple where we hoped to have a sandwich or Ploughmans.
But things have changed, the Ripple Steam Brewery has closed, so the pub is no longer a taphouse, nor does it do food. So, we made do with a beer and some crisps and pork scratchings.
Back home for lunch and a refreshing brew, before an afternoon of gardening and Bangers and Cash while the sun headed west and there was a strong chill in air, chill enough to warrant putting the heating on.
We had dirty burgers and beer for supper, while the house warmed up. Easy to forget that despite it looking and feeling like spring, it can still snow this time of the year.
Football in the evening, with Man Utd being the fall guys yet again.
Not just orchiding, of course. But going to the gym, doing the garden or whatever.
Although I knew it was unlikely to see any orchids in flower, a walk in the woods is never wasted.
So, after another lay in to half seven, then up for coffee and breakfast before we go out just before ten.
I drop Jools off in Lydden so she could visit a friend, and I could drive to the orchid fields of east Kent.
Onto the A2 then down through Bridge, and again through the woods and fruit farms to Hardres, down Stone Street before turning off.
Don the narrowest of narrow lanes, there is a small parking space, allowing room for a couple of cars, and access to one of the gates into the reserve of Yockletts.
I know the reserve well, the long slow climb in the open gallop to the lower meadow, where I pause to take in the scene and look for Green Hairstreaks, which have been reported elsewhere on the wing.
But not here. Last year's grass is faded green, and little sign of this year's.
Down then to the area round a fallen tree where the Fly Orchids grow thick. There was a good half dozen well developed spikes. None now or before the weekend will flower.
Up the slope to the top track so I could check on the two large Lady Orchid rosettes, well developed again, but with no spikes.
Everywhere is a carpet of amemonies, bluebells and primroses, its glorious. And although no butterflies were seen, the air is full of birdsong.
Over The Gogway, and pausing to snap the Townhall Clock plants, now struggling in open sunlight now the trees and scrub has been cut back, then up the slope to the upper meadow.
Numbers of orchids are well down. Only Early Purple were in the bluebell wood, Fly were only visible where numbers are hight, and Lady Orchids were restricted to a few places.
Yes, its early, but there should be more rosettes than these.I stop at the upper meadow after the climb, usually butterflies sweep by frequently. But not today.
But Dark-boarded Bee-flies are everywhere, though skittish, I do get a couple of series of shots.The rest of the reserve is closed due to Ash die back, so I turn back down the slope, over the lane and back up through the woods to the car.
Nearing the car, I disturb a Peacock sunning itself on the path, and that in turn disturbed a Small Tortoiseshell, the first I have seen for 21 months, rses into the air, then comes back down and settles to bask.
I get shots.It was then a hundred yards back to the car, and time to go to pick Jools up as she walked along the main road from Lydden to Temple Ewell.
We thought we would go out for lunch, and after a few suggestions, we went to The Plough in Ripple where we hoped to have a sandwich or Ploughmans.
But things have changed, the Ripple Steam Brewery has closed, so the pub is no longer a taphouse, nor does it do food. So, we made do with a beer and some crisps and pork scratchings.Back home for lunch and a refreshing brew, before an afternoon of gardening and Bangers and Cash while the sun headed west and there was a strong chill in air, chill enough to warrant putting the heating on.
We had dirty burgers and beer for supper, while the house warmed up. Easy to forget that despite it looking and feeling like spring, it can still snow this time of the year.
Football in the evening, with Man Utd being the fall guys yet again.
Some news
So, in little over three days, we fly out of Heathrow for India on quite an adventure.
We have three days in the Delhi and Agra ares, and then fly off on several safaris at three reserves looking for tigers and other exotic wildlife.
THe itinary is as follows:
09 April (Wednesday) 2025: Delhi to Nagpur and drive to Tadoba (PM Safari) (Flight: 0710 - 0840 hrs)
10 April (Thursday) 2025: Tadoba NP (AM & PM Safaris)
11 April (Friday) 2025: Tadoba to Pench (AM Safari)
12 April (Saturday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
13 April (Sunday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
14 April (Monday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
15 April (Tuesday) 2025: Pench to Bandhavgarh (Long drive)
16 April (Wednesday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM Safari)
17 April (Thursday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
18 April (Friday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
19 April (Saturday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
20 April (Sunday) 2025: Bandhavgarh to Jabalpur and fly back to Delhi (Flight: 1545 - 1715 hrs)
21 April (Monday) 2025: Delhi to Sat Tal
22 April (Tuesday) 2024: Sat Tal
23 April (Wednesday) 2024: Sat Tal to Pangot
24 April (Thursday) 2025: Pangot
25 April (Friday) 2025: Pangot to Corbett via Corbett Falls
26 April (Saturday) 2025: Corbett (AM and PM Safaris)
27 April (Sunday) 2025: Corbett (AM and PM Safaris)
28 April (Monday) 2025: Corbett to Delhi
Then return on the 29th April to London.
I dn't think I will have time to update the blog during this time, so you can look forward to much to read in May. I will try to write every day, and will take plenty of photos.
My Indian colleagues hadn't heard of any of the places we are going to, though a Google search will bring up lots of detail.
Anyway.
It's all happening!
We have three days in the Delhi and Agra ares, and then fly off on several safaris at three reserves looking for tigers and other exotic wildlife.
THe itinary is as follows:
09 April (Wednesday) 2025: Delhi to Nagpur and drive to Tadoba (PM Safari) (Flight: 0710 - 0840 hrs)
10 April (Thursday) 2025: Tadoba NP (AM & PM Safaris)
11 April (Friday) 2025: Tadoba to Pench (AM Safari)
12 April (Saturday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
13 April (Sunday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
14 April (Monday) 2025: Pench (AM & PM Safaris)
15 April (Tuesday) 2025: Pench to Bandhavgarh (Long drive)
16 April (Wednesday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM Safari)
17 April (Thursday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
18 April (Friday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
19 April (Saturday) 2025: Bandhavgarh (AM & PM Safaris)
20 April (Sunday) 2025: Bandhavgarh to Jabalpur and fly back to Delhi (Flight: 1545 - 1715 hrs)
21 April (Monday) 2025: Delhi to Sat Tal
22 April (Tuesday) 2024: Sat Tal
23 April (Wednesday) 2024: Sat Tal to Pangot
24 April (Thursday) 2025: Pangot
25 April (Friday) 2025: Pangot to Corbett via Corbett Falls
26 April (Saturday) 2025: Corbett (AM and PM Safaris)
27 April (Sunday) 2025: Corbett (AM and PM Safaris)
28 April (Monday) 2025: Corbett to Delhi
Then return on the 29th April to London.
I dn't think I will have time to update the blog during this time, so you can look forward to much to read in May. I will try to write every day, and will take plenty of photos.
My Indian colleagues hadn't heard of any of the places we are going to, though a Google search will bring up lots of detail.
Anyway.
It's all happening!
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