Thames rising

Same bridge on two consecutive nights

Stranded boats

Flooded meadow near the Swan Inn

Mallorca

It's been a while since the last entry. Been away to Mallorca. I've always been a bit of a snob about 'Majorca' and the images that it conjures. I was persuaded to go on the recommendation of a colleague. I'm glad I did. Had a relaxing time in a quiet neighborhood (Costa del Pinos). Good weather, great beaches, friendly people and plenty of good food. The weight, I have to admit, suffered badly. I am ashamed to put it in writing. I spent most of the time swimming, lazing on the beach and reading. During the latter I re-aquainted myself with 'Canon Alberic','The Mezzotint', 'The Tractate Middoth', and 'A Warning to the Curious' et al. I was lucky to have the Oxford version so lots of juicy footnotes and explanatory bits of biography.

Re visiting M.R. James put me in the mood for visiting a gothic Cathedral. So a day in Palma was called for. The Cathedral is majestic (I think it's the largest in Europe) dominating the waterfront.

Whilst Jenny ransacked the shops I enjoyed strolling around the narrow winding streets of the Old Town in Palma. The courtyards of the old houses are a delight with surprisingly theatrical presentations of works of art .

Great set for 'Romeo and Juliet'

We also experienced the public transport preferring bus to car. Very reliable but took ages to get anywhere. So tended to walk (and still put on weight). On a beach near Callor Millor (a concrete hell hole although the beach was OK)) I nearly met Wales, Liverpool and Swansea legend John Toshack. He was at the next table in a beach bar and I earwigged his conversation (talking about the Rugby World Cup, funnily enough). Jenny was unimpressed. Oh yes I also enjoyed the white stallions ( of the Mounted Police) outside the Palace in Palma.

Anyway, I've got lots of photo's of sand and blue sky and sea but they can be a bit boring so I'll keep them to myself. We got back to England on 20 July just after the rains came. Gloucester was flooded and the Severn and Thames were steadily rising. Didn't affect us much though, although Jenny's family were in dire straights (David was 18 hours in a rescue centre after getting his car caught in the floods, Stephen was putting his furniture upstairs and Megan was cut off in Newent with the tides rising and people stockpiling water and food). Goring lock was submerged but it was the next village, Pangbourne, that was hit quite severely. One chap at work was devastated when his was the only house in the street to be flooded just because of the lie of the land. We got off scot free (funny expression that! why 'scot' free?)

Science Museum

I'm just taking a few minutes to update the blog. It's been awhile. A friend of mine pointed out an apparent paradox. We complain about the increasing amount of 'unecessary' surveillance that predominates our society and yet an increasing number of people share intimate aspects of their lives in 'blogs'.

Spent last Saturday at the Science Museum in London. Jenny and I went with Steph', Chris and Lara.

We wanted to show Lara the Lions in Trafalgar Square but we couldn't get in because Gay Pride had cordoned the square off for their annual march. I feel I want to say something about a 'gay pride of lions', but can't think what.

But we did meet John and Ruth and, as the weather was pretty lousy, we went to the Science Museum. We spent all afternoon playing with gadgets and puzzles. I enjoyed the medical bit and Stephenson's Rocket. It was a great day out (and cheap - free entry). Brilliant for all us kids (and the adults too).

John distinguished himself by attempting to put the largest Jaffa Cake that I've ever encountered into his, considerably sized, mouth all in one go. I don't know who he gets that from. Must be his mother. I take a few moments for a brief aside. It seems that entering the venerable estate of marriage has not matured this boy one jot (I'm pleased to say). He invited me to be a 'friend of his' on a site called 'Facebook' or something of the kind. On entering this website I find that I have been bitten by a 'zombie' and that I now can 'poke' and 'bite' other people. His, is a strange world. At least I thought it was his world until I found that Karrie (a Flat Four friend) had also invited me to be her 'Facebook' chum. Mind you, she's not responsible for her actions either.

Back to London. We finished off the day at Hamlys Toy Store where we were assaulted by a woman with a'bubble gun'. Oh well!

The rest of the week was pretty tame after that.