Eurovision Eurotrash

We found a new game to play: Guess who gets douze point from who...it's a good test of your geography and history knowledge! No suprises to see Poland didn't give Germany (the clear winners from the score board point of view) a single point when everyone else was giving them 12. What a load of old balony, they should ditch the songs and just do the voting bit.

And suprise suprise we were last again! Our song was written by Pete Waterman, a writer who has produced over 20 number one hits across Europe. Britain produces some amazing music (and i'm not including Pete Waterman in that) so why do we continue to take part in a completely political competition? I feel sorry for the guy who sang it. I can't even remember his name, that's how banal he and his song were, but I admire him for standing on that stage at the age of 19 and doing his best knowing that we were doomed no matter what he did. Put the money to better use and support music projects on our own shores that's what I say!

And I know the picture is Moscow, but it was prettier than Norways...

Vrooommmm!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had my lesson this morning and it was great! Jon arrived to pick me up just in time to snap some pics of me:

The instructor Tarnya was brilliant and in less than an hour we were driving around on our own although admitedly we didn't get out of first gear. I booked my CBT which is quite soon so then if I get a bike Jon and I will be able to go out on little sojourns! I found there was quite a lot to think about but I'm ensured that it becomes second nature very quickly. They take you out on the road in the afternoon on the CBT, so it must be true!

Two wheels

We popped out on the bike to get some embroidery supplies yesterday and ended up motorbike shopping! Jonathan is a bad influence I shall leave him at home next time. I have a free lesson on Saturday (there is a campaign to get people onto two wheels and off four, hence lots of centres are offering a free intro lesson: http://www.geton.co.uk/). The plan is to get my CBT (Certificate of basic training) then get a bike which I am allowed to ride on L-plates.

Three bike shops later and we narrowed the choices down to a Yamaha and a Honda:

Jonathan thought I looked good on the Yamaha (left) but I'm leaning towards the other one (right). They do100 miles to the gallon, £15 road tax, you can park for free and you don't get stuck in traffic!

We got to the embroidery supplies eventually about 3 hours later!

I'll let you know how the lesson goes...

Nearly a week later...

...and we have a new Prime Minister!

For a moment we thought we were going to have the following scenario (from National Review Online):

"Instead, post-election, the "unelected" prime minister is now insisting he'll stay in office until he can make way for another "unelected" prime minister from his own party — the party which lost the election — once it has successfully concluded negotiations with the party that came third in the election. Meanwhile, the party that won the most seats throughout the UK, and a clear majority in England, will be entirely excluded"
British democracy in action!

Still it seems to be almost sorted now, and perhaps the new government can get on with the task of running the country and paying off our debt. There are some great pictures floating around of official handshakes with the Queen (who has seen 12 Prime Ministers in her reign) which are sure to appear in satirical TV shows! I like the efficiency of the whole thing; Gordon leaves 10 Downing Street, pops into the palace to say bye and on his way out passes David on his way in to say hi. David then goes to his new home/office and starts to dish out jobs there and then! And all within the space of about 45 minutes!! And the Queen settles down to watch Emmerdale...(although probably not wearing a crown)

In other news, I've just finished my latest newsletter which is on my website ready to open. Now my eyes are sore so I think it's time for bed. Lots of stitching to do tomorrow...

Busy busy day...

I haven't stopped today, nor have I done any work! Visited the physiotherapist about a long running problem with my shoulder (brought on by bad embroidery posture, BEWARE all embroiderers, don't slouch!). She was very good and explained what was wrong then promptly stuck a big needle in the joint and injected it with steriods. Youch! Once these have kicked in, I have to do some exercises. It was a good excuse not to do anything manual today...

Then it was to the polling station to vote. It was good to see lots of people out obviously doing the same (clutching small pieces of white card in their hands!). Emilie Pankhurst did her bit, I believe in doing mine! This area is an important one, with only a few hundreds votes in it in the 2005 election. We are looking forward to waching the results come in.

Then it was off into town to sort out my broken mobile phone. No one seemed to be able to fix it, nor did the bits inside it seem to be compatible with any other phone so I had to buy a new one. We come to be so dependent on these devices that we think we can't live without them...

Big Ben has struck 10.00, I'm off to see whats going on in Westminster...

P.S. Don't forget my embroidery blog at:

www.sarahhomfray.com/blog

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English tradition...Mayday celebrations

Went to join in the Mayday celebrations at the Sweeps Festival in Rochester this weekend. There were Morris Dancers from the end of the high street all the way up to the castle! An interesting selection from girls with bows and flowers in their hair, to blackened faced dancers with animal skulls in their hats:

'In the 16th and 17th centuries in England people would make garlands of flowers and leaves for the May Day celebration. After becoming a source of competition between Works Guilds, these garlands became increasingly elaborate, to the extent that it covered the entire man. This became known as Jack in the Green.' He also made an appearance in the parade through the town:

It's great to see these traditions are being kept alive.

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