Peter Burton's daily log, covering Peter's personal interests, e.g. jazz, travel and general grumpiness plus (occasionally) the business of Isomatic and its associate companies.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Guilfest
Guilfest is back ! We can hear the noise from here, 1 mile away, and it is only 17:00.
We know that we are a grumpy old couple but we have grown to hate all mass-attendance events. Surrey County Show, Guilfest, Glastonbury, Royal Ascot,...........; you name it we hate it. They disrupt the lives of all those like us who take our pleasures daily or weekly, either with a small group who share our tastes or just the two of us. What pleasure can there be in suffering in traffic jams to mingle with hordes of people in an overcrowded, and probably muddy, field.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, July 04, 2008
Gordon Brown & David Cameron; are you listening ?
One of the Peters at the Berrylands says he likes the rare political comment here so:
How about voting for the party that will
1) Help small businesses, not burden them with endless regulation
2) Help exporters, on which the country's economy depends
3) Help the oppressed car drivers, i.e. the biggest single section of the electorate
4) Stop the kamikaze cyclists, not blame drivers for killing or injuring them
5) Bring an end to faith schools and all institutions that seek to brainwash children.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, June 20, 2008
Grumpy Old Misogynist
I have always been against misogynists, having argued strongly that women should be given the opportunity to undertake any job and rejoicing in the appointment of female airline pilots, etc.
Experiences this week are driving me towards the woman-hating camp.
When I tell a woman that an ex-wife who denies an ex-husband access to his child is evil, I expect some measure of agreement. Instead I get irrelevant arguments that men are evil in different ways.
When I say that the laws on maternity leave are making it too risky for small businesses (i.e. the vast majority) to employ women of child-bearing age except through agencies, I expect some sympathy for that view. I do not get it.
Must I conclude that women in general (and this does not include Selina) believe that they can inflict extreme cruelty just because they are vindictive or ruin a business just because they are selfish ?
Labels: Grumpy
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Aldi; not wanted here, go back to Germany
German discount supermarket chain Aldi has now had the roof tiles removed from the 'Green Man', a public house since the 16th Century and possibly before, in Burpham, Guildford, where we live. For many months the old pub has been boarded up in an unsightly fashion, presumably to wear down local resistance. Now they are pushing us further by making the building look even worse. Let me tell you again you evil Aldi Germans and your equally evil British quislings that the people of Burpham hate you !
This is a marginal political area so expect no support from local politicians.
To the staff of Aldi, I point out that you are working for an evil German Company and should be ashamed. To existing Aldi customers, I ask you to consider the alternatives for your shopping rather than provide income for such a rotten German organisation.
Labels: Grumpy
Saturday, March 01, 2008
The Bank Job
This evening we went to the Ambassadors Cinema in Woking to see
The Bank Job. Based on a true story, supressed at the time, this was a gripping variant of an old theme. Good writing by the famous team of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and fine acting from the all-British cast. We recommend this film.
N.B. Why are the Oscars awarded to crap American films when there are such good ones coming from Britain, China, France and Germany. Is it another case of 'The World Series' when supposedly international awards are just for the USA.
Labels: Film, Grumpy
Friday, February 15, 2008
Modern shopping
Why have all the department stores adopted this modern system of collecting multiple franchises under one roof ? When we are looking for a particular item of clothing we want to see all such items together in one place so we can choose from all that is on offer. Instead we have to wear out our feet walking from one franchise to another, with 100% chance of missing something and 90% chance of leaving the store empty-handed. This cannot be good for business.
I used to shop in the old-style Debenhams but Marks and Spencer is the only place for me now. Even they are beginning to scatter the womens clothing between Per Una, Autograph, etc. Selina buys trousers and lingerie there but it is not vey good for her trademark mini-skirts. The exception pictured is an M&S 'tunic' that she wears as a dress.
Labels: Grumpy
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
(Roughly to the tune of Joshua, Joshua)
Cantuar, Cantuar, oh what a foolish man you are
Do you think we'll all put up with Sharia
When drinking is the culture of Britannia
And we like our women just the way they are.
We like our pork pies and our caviar
And our country's staying secular.
Labels: Grumpy
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Wind needed
Today we finished bench testing of a prototype electronic circuit for use with the
Ampair 600-230V grid-tie wind turbines. We were then ready to test using real wind, of which we had plenty for a few days. In direct accordance with the law of SOD, the wind stopped at that moment and has not returned. Frustration rules OK !
Labels: Grumpy, Wind power
Friday, January 11, 2008
Location rules OK
Why do businesses think they can just move the name to a new location without offending the customers. Examples:
1) Grosvenor Garage moves from Pitch Place to Crockford Bridge, replacing Crockford Bridge Motors
2) London Boat Show moves from Earls Court to Docklands so the new one has to be called the Earls Court Boat Show
3) Hotel chains.................................
To me, and probably to most people of my age, Grosvenor Garage is at Pitch Place, the London Boat Show is at Earls Court, the round hotel at Heathrow is the Ariel and the one over the road is the Heathrow Hotel. I refuse to spend any money at any of them ever again (unless they revert to previous names). The one case I know where this worked was at East Clandon. The pub name was changed so the locals refused to use it until it was changed back. Three cheers for the East Clandon locals !
Labels: Grumpy
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Mistresses on BBC1
This evening we stayed at home and watched television for a change. After a good programme about the discovery of the atom we watched the first episode of the new chick-flick
Mistresses on BBC1. I have complained before about lack of entertainment for adults and I expected better from this; noting that it was after the 21:00 watershed and advertised as being sexy. It promised but failed to deliver. For example, when a female character shows her knickers to a male work colleague we expect to see the scene from his viewpoint, not from hers. This is just teasing us to the point where we become angry.
Labels: Grumpy
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Aldi is not wanted here
German discount supermarket chain Aldi is planning a store and 14 flats on the 'Green Man' site in Guildford, where we live, that has been a public house since the 16th Century and possibly before. For many months the old pub has been boarded up in an unsightly fashion, presumably to wear down local resistance. Let me tell you Aldi Germans and your British quislings that this action will only make us more determined to oppose you. You are not wanted here !
Bear in mind that this is a marginal political area and both the local Conservatives (one of them pictured here) and the Lib Dems will be fighting you to avoid losing votes.
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Couriers again
We had representatives from two courier companies in today to listen to our complaints about rising costs and poor online booking systems. We received the typical large company answers; summarised as 'we will report back but we can't change the system'. Should we conclude from this that we should not use large companies as suppliers of goods and services ? I have already turned away large company customers who try to impose their terms and conditions and refuse to accept ours.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, December 07, 2007
West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband
Do any of its other customers know what is happening at West Dorset Internet AKA Wessex Broadband. I am receiving no e-mail via that route, nobody is answering the telephone and there is no response to an e-mail sent via another ISP. I cannot log on to e-mol webmail either.
Labels: Grumpy
Friday, November 16, 2007
Failed to reach the Berrylands
On Thursday evening we were required to interview a candidate at 17:00 so we left at 18:00, then had to stop for fuel on the way home. Dinner took longer than I expected and we had to pack for the weekend trip to our Cornish trials facility. Result; too late for our regular Thursday evening at the Berrylands to see the Magna Jazz Band.
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The English Language
There have been some posts on an IEE/IET chat line about American attitudes to English. I don't think we can be too high and mighty about language when there is such wide disparity within this small island. I find it easier to receive phone calls from continental Europeans speaking the simple but effective 'international' English than I do from Brits with strong Scottish or Geordie accents. Once, when travelling to Newcastle I had a long conversation with a woman who I thought had lost her keys. It transpired that she had lost her case !
Americans, Australians and New Zealanders are easy by comparison, although at an international standards meeting an American delegate confused everybody by announcing he was 'tabling' his proposal, meaning 'shelving' it.
Labels: Grumpy
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Stock-Taking is over !
We have just spent five days stock-taking, in the week we were more short-staffed than ever for a variety of reasons. This was my first time; in previous firms there were always others to do it. Ideally I should have:
Known all the parts by sight;
Known where they are all kept;
Understood the drawings;
Understood the accounting system (MYOB).
I failed on all counts but I know a lot more now.
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The Molly Millar, Wokingham
On Tuesday evening we were working late so broke for dinner at
The Molly Millar in Wokingham. Food was good and very cheap. Wells Bombardier was on draught. The pub appears to be aimed at the 18 year-old end of the market; loud music, coffee shop decor, 25 lager keg taps vs 2 real ale pumps. What happened to those wonderful days when the young enthusiasts from CAMRA temporarily halted the decline of beer provision.
Labels: Eating out, Grumpy
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Evil Transport Companies; damage again !
How do transport companies justify their appalling behaviour. They smash goods with impunity, expect the customer to pay for insurance and then say it does not cover xxxxxxxxx.......... My view is that if they damage the goods it is their duty to pay full compensation. It is not my concern whether or not they insure or pay from profits. If they were not so rough with the goods then compensation would not be a financial problem. The pictures show the latest damage to two transformers. The slender arm and hands belong to Marja, our finance director.
Labels: Grumpy
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Parcel force
I have often moaned about transport companies on this weblog but now Parcel Force has proved worse than even my expectations:
1) delivery took far too long
2) an attempt was made to collect import VAT from our customer, despite the fact that I had already paid by credit card
3) the relevant depot refuses to provide any receipt for this payment
4) I can only get a breakdown into VAT and other charges verbally over the telephone, no documentation is available.
The award pictured would appear to be worthless.
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Royal Ascot; horse racing nuisance
Are we the only ones who think Royal Ascot horse racing is a nuisance. Our normal route home from work is 21 miles, takes 40 minutes and has just two sets of traffic lights. Unfortunately we pass Ascot race course. For four days we have to make a major detour with traffic jams and countless traffic lights, making us late home, all so that the idle rich can enjoy themselves. We are working hard to bring manufacturing into the UK; do we not deserve some consideration ?
Obviously Ascot also brings money into the UK but only for a few days each year.
Labels: Grumpy
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Transport damage again
We have just received more damaged goods, this time electric motors. The picture shows the most badly damaged, with a crack across the end casting. Do transport companies hire special people with a qualification in throwing heavy items into the air ? Then they have the nerve to offer a sheet, or screen, for signature that includes words such as 'received in good condition'. Cowboys is too polite a term !
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Homebase for cut wood
Boost Energy Systems urgently needed 10 wooden panels so we dashed out to local suppliers. All sold standard boards that are too large to fit in the back of the car but only Homebase offered a cutting service. Three cheers for Homebase but thumbs down to the others. The picture shows the final result, with panel painted black for photogenic reasons.
Labels: Grumpy
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Indesit gas cooker
On Sunday morning our new Indesit gas cooker arrived. It has two major advantages; low price and drop down door. The latter was a requirement due to past problems with door catches. Unfortunately the electric ignition only works for the hob and not for the oven. We await a service call.
Labels: Grumpy
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Dinner without Jazz due to Zena's party
We arrived at the Cricketers on Monday evening to find that Zena had
reserved the main section of the pub for her birthday party with 80
guests. No chance for the other regulars to get near the jazz although
we were able to eat in the other section of the pub. I understand that
the pub is very pleased to get such a big booking on a Monday so no blame
is due. I do think that it is very selfish of Zena to hold such a
function on jazz night; it is her group that always talks loudly during
the music. Why do they come at all on a night when live music is available?
Labels: Grumpy
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