Isomatic UK Weblog

We are just back from a week's holiday in Madrid. We stayed at Foxa 25 suites, near Plaza de Castilla as shown in the picture. The leaning towers have a fascination that is hard to explain in words. Madrid is busy but much more car-friendly than London. There are plenty of city centre underground car parks, all pay as you leave, accepting notes and cards and giving change. Unlike London, it was a pleasure to drive into the centre, both by day and evening. The scenery around Madrid includes mountains, near desert and several historic fortified towns. We visited Segovia, Toledo, Avila, Aranjuez and several mountain passes. Weather was sunny throughout, becoming too hot on two days.

posted by Peter # 18:29

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Panama Cafe Orchestra at the Cricks

On Monday evening at the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking, we again saw The Panama Cafe Orchestra. The sweet cornet of Dave Lowe and the jazzy clarinet of John Lawes were supplemented by excellent deputy banjo/guitarist Ken Ames. We had never heard Ken on banjo before; he was one of the best we have heard. We should also mention Chris Lowe, who uses a minimal drum kit to create fine percussive effects.
Asides during the evening:
John Lawes: "I was a circuit designer in my younger days"
Regular at jazz nights Ernie: "I was too polite to walk out last week"
Another regular: "You are such a sweet couple".

posted by Peter # 06:59

Monday, May 22, 2006

Dave Allison's Alley Cats at the Saddlers Arms

On Sunday evening we saw four of Dave Allison's Alley Cats at the Saddlers Arms, Send Marsh, Woking, Surrey. The band comprised Dave on Tenor Sax and clarinet plus trombone, bass and banjo/guitar. This was the first time we have seen them together and we were impressed. We had expected mainstream but this was dixieland jazz.

posted by Peter # 07:02

Sunday, May 21, 2006

The DaVinci Code at the Guildford Odeon cinema

On Saturday evening we saw The DaVinci Code at the Guildford Odeon cinema. Good cinematography and acting but the plot is crap. Disbelief was not suspended !

posted by Peter # 08:02

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Stanfords for maps and guides

Today we went to Stanfords in London, arguably the world's greatest shop for maps and travel guides. We bought a Madrid pocket guide and a map of the surrounding area of Spain. We were lucky to find a parking space just across the road, although at 4 pounds per hour it was somewhat expensive. We console ourselves with the thought of how much more it would have cost to use public transport. The picture is from the past but it gives the general impression of the building.

posted by Peter # 15:20

Friday, May 19, 2006

The Big Chris Barber Band at the Epsom Playhouse

On Thursday evening we saw the Big Chris Barber Band at the Epsom Playhouse. The 11 piece band comprised: Chris Barber and Bob Hunt (trombones), Pat Halcox and Mike Henry (trumpets), Richard Exall, Tony Carter and John Defferary (reeds), Andrew Kuc (banjo and guitar), John Slaughter (blues guitar), Vic Pitt (string bass) and John Sutton (drums). They are all fine musicians, equally good in solos or 'en ensemble' for both jazz and blues. The highlight for us was the bass and drum duet 'Big Noise from Winnetka'. During the interval I congratulated Vic Pitt on his performance. I explained that the original by Bob Haggart and Ray Bauduc was my first jazz record, given to me by a jazz-loving uncle as it was my favourite from his collection. I must have been about 7 at the time and I still have that very worn 78.

posted by Peter # 19:01

Thursday, May 18, 2006

The evil of Pay and Display car parks

Over dinner with business associates, the subject of pay and display car parks arose. I stated my belief that they were evil, as nobody can be sure how long they need to park, particularly at a hospital but also for general shopping. The result is accidental overstay and being fined for an accident. Furthermore, paying in advance at a machine that does not take notes or cards and does not give change requires the exact money to already be in one's pocket; impossible to guarantee. The worst example is Swanage, where one needs 2.5 pounds in change every time.

The counter arguments were:

1) Is it not the same everywhere so we just have to accept it.
Ans. No and I don't. There is at least one pay on exit car park in Guildford and weight of public opinion forced the hospital to change too.

2) Pay on exit requires an automatic barrier.
Ans. No problem, they work fine and investment is soon recovered as the car park becomes more popular.

3) Those that live in the town centre want to discourage visitors by all possible means.
Ans. Then the town will die and become a less pleasant place to live.

posted by Peter # 06:51

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Progress with circuit design

I reported last week on how I have been undertaking electronic circuit design again after a long gap. Having identified and bought the components I built a prototype and have now tested it to the point of acheiving proof of concept. Much time was wasted due to misunderstanding the detailed problems. The biggest break-through was realising that a voltage monitoring chain was connected to the wrong line on the circuit diagram.

posted by Peter # 19:57

Monday, May 15, 2006

Redwing at the Saddlers Arms

On Sunday evening we saw Redwing at the Saddlers Arms, Send Marsh, Woking, Surrey. The band comprised leader Kevin Scott (banjo and fine vocals), Mike Thomas (cornet & vocals), John Parsons (clarinet & vocals), Roy Stokes (trombone) and A N Other(sousaphone) with Peter Talent sitting in on trombone for two numbers. This was the first time we had seen Mike Thomas and we were very impressed.

posted by Peter # 07:18

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Solar panels using photovoltaic cells (PV)

We have been thinking again about the future of the PV solar panel business. The problem is the ever-changing models that are available. It would be good to concentrate on a few of the best types.

posted by Peter # 11:19

Saturday, May 13, 2006

The Epsom Symphony Orchestra

This evening we saw The Epsom Symphony Orchestra performing their Spring Concert at The Epsom Playhouse. They played Beethoven's Egmont overture, Elgar's Serenade for Strings, Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony and the Dvorak Violin Concerto, featuring a fine performance from soloist Naoko Miyamoto.

posted by Peter # 21:32

Friday, May 12, 2006

Phil Brown Swingtet at the Brewery Tap

On Thursday evening we tried a new jazz venue, The Brewery Tap in Brentford. The Phil Brown Swingtet play there every Thursday and seemed quite shocked to see us so far from home. They played the expected full range of jazz from Bix Beiderbecke's 'Jazz Me Blues' to Charlie Parker's 'Ornithology' and Dizzy Gillespie's 'Ow!' Needless to say, we liked neither of the modern numbers. I especially liked 'Mood Indigo' from the middle era of jazz. Musicians who sat in for two numbers were Peter Clancy on Trombone and a modern jazz trumpeter named Toby. By 10:45 we were tired so, with a long journey home, we left early. I am not sure if we will return there in future as there are usually more convenient alternatives.

posted by Peter # 07:32

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Experiment with transformers

Yesterday I experimented with 3 single phase transformers, wiring them into a three phase isolating transformer arrangement. The plan was to test the feasibility before embarking on a cost exercise to compare the price of one complicated T/F versus 3 simple ones at 3 times the volume. The wiring was complex but I did get it right first time. I then thought "what would happen if someone made a single wiring error in production" so I swapped a pair of wires. All three T/Fs instantly overheated. I think we declare the plan too risky and labour-intensive for implementation in our own workshop.

posted by Peter # 07:22

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Frog Island Jazz Band at the Cricks

On Monday night we saw the Frog Island Jazz Band at the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. They played many Jelly Roll Morton numbers, including a fine rendition of 'The Pearls', requested by Alan, a serious Morton fan. Someone requested 'Mood Indigo' to which they replied "sorry but we don't play anything as modern as that."
This type of band attracts hard core trad fans such as Jim. He showed himself to be no gentleman by refusing to get a chair for Jill, who was left standing at the bar until my wife Selina shamed him into doing it by attempting it herself.

posted by Peter # 07:22

Monday, May 08, 2006

Squirrels back

The grey squirrels were not deterred by the ultrasonic rodent repeller. At least they are now frightened of me. Whereas previously they stared me out they now run for their lives before I can haul my body into the loft. What about this squirrel cull. The picture comparing red and grey is with thanks from the same BBC web page.

posted by Peter # 08:19

Saturday, May 06, 2006

'Three' at the Kingston cinema

On Saturday evening we went to the Odeon cinema in Kingston-upon-Thames to see the new release Three. It combines two classic plots; the eternal triangle and shipwrecked on a desert island. Enjoyable.

posted by Peter # 21:35

Friday, May 05, 2006

Back to circuit design

After many years (decades ?) away from it I am at present back to electronic circuit design. The memories keep flooding back:

1) The problem
2) A potential solution
3) Failure of that potential solution prior to any detail design
4) Repeat 2) and 3) until
5) A potential solution worthy of detailed design is found
6) In course of design it emerges that the potential solution will not work
7) Repeat 5) and 6) until potential solution reaches stage of a rough circuit design
8) Search for components to implement this first design.

That is as far as I have got this week. Electronic components do not seem to have made great strides since I last designed with them. In the 60's and 70's to be away from the game for 6 months meant that you were out of touch. Relatively, not much seems to have happened in the last decade or two.

posted by Peter # 18:45

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Magna Jazz Band with 3 deps

On Thursday evening we went to the Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, where Brian White's Magna jazz band performs every week. There were only three of the normal line-up, Pete Towndrow on cornet, Richard Lyons on bass and Rex Bennett on drums. The three excellent deputies were Dick Charlesworth (clarinet, tenor sax and vocals), Dave Hewett (slide and valve trombones) and Dave Herridge (keyboard). The band made a point of playing numbers in different keys from those prefeerred by Brian White. Special features were:
Sophisticated Lady with Dave Hewett playing the slide trombone beautifully;
All of me with great cornet and vocal by Pete.
The Berrylands will be closed for refurbishment for the next two weeks, so no jazz there.

Labels: Jazz

posted by Peter # 22:55

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Large files from graphics design people

We have reached the stage where photographers and graphic designers are swamping the world with their files. We have just received a DVD full because they would not fit on a CD. I have been trying to upload them onto our FTP site to enable everyone to access them freely and for archiving. Several are 250 Mbytes, which, at the asymmetric data rates available in the UK, take around an hour to upload. During such a long period, communication failures are likely, requiring a possible resend.

Save our planet from profligate use of data capacity !

posted by Peter # 18:31

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Phil Brown Swingtet without Phil Brown

On Monday night we saw the Phil Brown Swingtet at the Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking. It was the full band but Phil Brown was ably replaced by Les Dyos on trombone. Ken Ames (guitar) was given two opportunities to show his considerable vocal vocal talents; 'Sunny Side of the Street' and 'Exactly Like You'. Colin Lewry, Roy Stokes and Peter Clancy were guests on keyboard, Trombone and bass respectively, each for two numbers. We also had a song from Wendy from South Africa.
We were pleased to see two young men enjoying the evening enormously, even requesting Glenn Miller's 'Tuxedo Junction'. The music was great throughout, although the Wayne Shorter number 'Footprints' was too modern for me.
I wonder how Phil Brown will feel to know he was not missed ?