Plans

Another walk was planned for to-day. But what happens to plans? Things turn out differently.

Found out this morning that a friend is 40 on Sunday. We knew his birthday is in January, but hadn't realised only a few days away.
So a trip to the shops was required. Just the local shops, admittedly.

Had to go to the supermarket as well. So we called for Lucy and took her. She didn't find the trip very exciting - she was asleep within five minutes!

And now it's almost time for all that 'happy new year' crap...

Winter Walks

We've had dry weather for more than a week now. Although there's high pressure, some days are very cloudy, while on others the sun manages to break through.

It's good weather for walking. To-day we walked round Downhill Forest which lies to the left of the A2 just past Castlerock.
The forest - more of a wood, really - was originally part of the estate of Frederick Harvey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry.
The lake in the photo was created as a fishpond, but is now home to ducks and waterhens.

We've had several walks, including one on Christmas Day. At 8.30 that morning my wife and I were on Castlerock beach. That particular walk was intended to relieve the stress of preparing dinner for ten people.
It worked too - we had Christmas Day free of arguments...

Christmas Cheer

No posts for a few days now...but it was Christmas, after all.

Which is a poor excuse coming from someone who doesn't really like the so-called 'festive season'.

Christmas is good for those who believe in the religious aspect. Or, it's good for small children who believe in Santa Claus. Of course, a cynic might say both of those groups are equally deluded.

For the rest of us, it's about too much - spending, food, alcohol, etc...

Happy Christmas!!

Enjoy....

Wind of Change

Another dark day, both economically and weatherwise.

A local factory - now almost the only local factory - announced 92 redundancies yesterday evening.
This factory - AVX Ltd - was established in Coleraine over 25 years ago. It makes ceramic capacitors for the electronics industry. At peak production some years ago, it employed around 900 people. This is now down to 390 - before the latest redundancies.
The jobs have gradually transferred abroad to countries where labour is cheaper. And now the economic downturn is seeing off the remaining workers.

The weather? Wet, with gale force winds.

Dark Days

We're into the dark days before Christmas. Days when it never really gets clear.

I usually find the month up to the shortest day very depressing but, for some reason, this year it hasn't bothered me.
The constant barrage of bad news on TV and in the papers should make anyone depressed. But not me - I feel remarkably positive, considering my circumstances...

Business Plan

Another meeting at the enterprise agency.
The next course on starting a business doesn't run until January. As I need to be organised before then, I am getting help with drawing up a business plan.

I've got an idea. But there's a lot involved in making it a reality.

Glasgow...or Edinburgh?

I was a bit confused to-day.
I had to go to a meeting in Glasgow, but I flew to Edinburgh. It's logical really - the meeting was in a hotel on the Edinburgh side of Glasgow. Last time, I flew into Glasgow and the traffic hold-ups were terrible. This time it was a clear run to and from Edinburgh.
It was just in Belfast that I had to keep reminding myself which gate I wanted.

No photos, because no camera. It's bad enough getting a laptop through security, without a camera as well.

I thought I would know more about my redundancy. I had a meeting with the regional manager but, apparently, that was just part of the 'consultation process'.

Decisions

Time for decisions about the future...

More Shopping

Still no photos. This was another shopping day - Christmas has got to be sorted.

Coleraine runs a free Park and Ride scheme each Saturday in December. The bus goes from the local retail park to the town centre.
We used it this afternoon - coming back, we got the last bus and were the only passengers.

Usually we would shop in Ballymena or Derry, both about 26 or 27 miles away.
Shopping in our own town was our way of economising.

Photography

Must get back to taking a few photos.

Perhaps that would take my mind off other issues?

Jobseeker

I believe Jobseekers Allowance pays £60.50 per week.

There aren't many jobs to pick and choose from in this part of the world.

I reckon it'll be back to self-employment for me. Yesterday I rang the local Enterprise Agency and got an appointment for to-day.
There's no financial help for going self-employed, but they run courses to help with starting a business. So I've signed up...

The First Day

The first day after the news that I am to be made redundant - after only eleven months in the job. A job I had hoped would last me until retirement...

It wasn't a complete surprise, of course. No job in financial services could be described as 'secure' at the moment.

A Bleak Day

My regional manager was over again to-day.

He didn't have any good news.....

Long Day

Left home at 8.30 this morning to drive to Newry. A two hour drive - about as far as I can go without leaving Northern Ireland.
Came home via Ballyclare, as I had a couple of calls to do.
Got home again just after 7.30.

So, once again, no time for photos.

Shopping

I did say there was good walking weather forecast...

But, no walking, just shopping. I think I heard Christmas mentioned.

Friday

Friday again.

Almost the weekend - with frosty nights and sunny days forecast.
Good weather for walking. And taking photos?

Snow Again

I should have taken a photo before I went to bed last night.
It had snowed heavily - well, I suppose there might have been an inch of the stuff.

I thought I'd wait until daylight. And this morning, it had gone...

Moral? Never put off, etc, etc.

Busy?

Over the last week, photo opportunities have been few and far between...Or have I just been too busy with other things and have failed to spot the opportunities?