Where Are They?

Usually when we come out of church on Sunday morning there are four or five taxis standing outside the Library despite parking restrictions that say they should only be there between 6pm and 6am. Today there was not one to be seen anywhere in the area.


Whether someone has had a word with the drivers or whether they were not working for some reason I don't know but I just had to take a picture as proof that sometimes the traffic regulations are adhered to.

Don't Blame The Driver

Friday's experience of standing in the cold and wet waiting for a bus in Heanor didn't exactly put us off using public transport so we went out on Saturday morning with the intention of taking the half-hourly bus up to the Market Place - just in time to see it going up the road. Now you can normally rely on this service being at least a few minutes late but just for once it was bang on time. So we walked up the hill did our shopping and then walked down Bath Street from the Market Place and did manage to catch a bus that took us most of the way back home.


Then I forgot to transfer the pictures from the camera until this morning and missed posting this blog yesterday. What did I say about buses being late? It happens to the best of us so better late than never and I'll try and remember to post today's blog later this afternoon.

The Wisdom Of It!

Governments often come in for a lot of criticism and their decisions are often met with disapproval by at least 50% of the population but one thing the older generation are grateful to our current administration for must be the introduction of free travel on local buses. You do however wonder about the wisdom of the decision to leave the car at home when standing in the rain with an icy wind nearly blowing your ears off on Heanor Market Place whilst waiting for the public transport to arrive!


Even more disappointing was the fact that the one item we had travelled to Heanor for had sold out but we did enjoy a nice mug of hot chocolate before we went to catch the bus.

History Uncovered

People of the older generation may remember Bestwick's shop operating from these premises on the Lower Market Place but more recently it has traded as The Sunflower Health Store. The shop closed recently with the intention of continuing business from a market stall. Whether this has come to fruition or not, I'm not sure as I don't recollect seeing them on the market but that's not to say they aren't there. Even more recently the shop has been boarded up and the external cladding removed together with the shop name. This has revealed an old doorway and arch at the left of the building that had long since been forgotten. A little bit of Ilkeston's history revealed.


I took this second picture from a similar position nearly five years ago in June 2005 and it is interesting to compare the two as it not only shows the Health Store in its former glory but also shows that Vic Graves next door has been replaced by the Arena Hope shop.


Life goes on - despite the changes. In a progressive country change is constant; ...change... is inevitable. - Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

Same Old Story

It was the same old story on Bath Street at 3 o'clock. A white van drove up and stopped outside the Albion Centre. The driver got out went into McDonald's and returned laden with his "happy meal" a few minutes later before continuing in his vehicle up the pedestrian zone. He followed another white van that had entered Bath Street from Mount Street passing through a No Entry sign on the way. I was going to put an image here but I guess you'll get the picture anyway. You'll soon be as tired of my constant moaning about this as I am about seeing all these traffic violations. Enough!

This picture is another old story that occurs around about this time every year. Global warming notwithstanding, it's been a pretty cold and lengthy winter and no doubt the spring flowers are being delayed but a few crocuses have put in an appearance in our garden. They are offered some protection by the leaves of another plant but are still a welcome sight. The trouble is that means the weeds are starting to show too so I'll have to make the effort and get the garden in order before it's too late.

The School Run - NOT

I can feel a theme developing here as I was out this afternoon just as the schools were turning out again. There was a lot of traffic about but it was comparatively quiet on Cavendish Road. The buildings that once housed the Cavendish Girls' School, then Cantelupe School and latterly part of the South East Derbyshire College now stand empty. With overgrown hedges, walls that are falling down, broken windows and tarmac playgrounds full of holes the whole site is fast becoming derelict whilst decisions are made as to its future - more housing no doubt once the recession ends.


Another school made the headlines today as a large fire has destroyed the technology block at Heanor Gate with the consequent loss of the pupils' work. Interested parties are being told to find the latest news on the School's website but I thought it slightly inappropriate that the home page contains this image.


So that's one former school and another current one locally where there will be no "school run" today!

The School Run

After my outburst over the last couple of days about traffic violations, I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon to see a contingent from the local constabulary plus community wardens on Bath Street AND cyclist riding down the hill were being stopped and told that a) it was a pedestrian zone and b) even when traffic is allowed on the street, it is one way only and that is up the hill.


On my way home however I was just in time to see the school run on Cantelupe Road where vehicles were double parked with some on the pavement causing traffic congestion in both directions and probably a safety hazard for the children too. Ah well, you can't win them all and at least they weren't on Bath Street!

Recurring Theme

It came as quite a surprise this morning to find that there had been a good snowfall overnight and while it created a picturesque scene in the middle of the town it also highlighted what could well become a recurring theme with this blog. One of my pet hates is the number of times traffic rules and regulations are being broken in the town. From vehicles in pedestrian zones (see yesterday's blog) to parking offences; from cars and vans travelling in bus lanes to others passing through no entry signs and travelling the wrong way down one-way streets you can see them all on a daily basis. And nothing seems to be done about it.


The snow today provided evidence of another violation with tyre tracks across the virgin fall on the Market Place. I really must take a lead from the temperature and chill out!

Pedestrian Zone

The definition of "pedestrian":

-noun

1. a person who goes or travels on foot; walker.

–adjective

2. going or performed on foot; walking.

3. of or pertaining to walking.

Just what is it that some drivers don't understand?

Even with disabled badges in the windscreen and a four wheel drive vehicle, you are not supposed to drive through a pedestrian zone in the middle of a Saturday afternoon in order to drop someone off at the Bank! I just wonder if I had been a few steps further on if the vehicle would have stopped. This is not an isolated incident and it would not surprise me in the least to hear of someone being knocked down and seriously injured on Bath Street before much longer.

Spot The Difference

It was another trip to the vet today as Pom was still in a lot of discomfort. We are now having to give him painkilling medication via a syringe straight down his throat and his reaction suggests it is tastes foul! His brother meanwhile is carrying on as normal and as I didn't want to show any bias or favouritism here's a picture of Splinky. Can you spot the difference?


Actually they are out of the same litter but are as different as chalk and cheese. Splinky has a much sleeker coat although in these colder months he has added a thickness to it which makes it much more difficult to tell them apart. He eats much more than his brother but weighs less. Pom is a very sociable cat who loves everyone and thinks they all want to fuss him - Splinky runs and hides at the sight of a stranger and even from family members. So have you spotted the difference yet between this picture and the one from Wednesday? It's easy really - Pom wears a blue collar and Splinky's is red.

Slinky & Kinky

Continuing the feline theme from yesterday, here's another black cat.


For many years, the Felix Bus Company had the famous logo but copyright issues raised their ugly head last year and the logo had to be dropped as an extortionate amount was required for its continued use. The service from Derby to Mansfield that passes through Ilkeston still goes by the name of the Black Cat but the spanking new buses now sport a different logo.

Unexpected Events

A number of unexpected events happened today including a flat battery in the car and an unplanned visit to the vets with Pom, one of our pet cats. An emergency call for help resulted in a trip to the garage for a new battery but meant that I eventually found myself in the middle of Ilkeston with my camera still in the immobilised car back at home. This wouldn't normally be a problem but, as it is half term at the local schools, a mobile climbing wall had been erected outside the Town Hall and it would have been a good subject for today's photo. I would have been inclined to take a photo of it as whenever it is erected, a notice is also displayed adjacent to it saying that anyone wishing to take video or still photos must register their details as part the the council's child protection policy. What they fail to realise though is that there is no law in this country that prevents anyone pursuing a hobby of photography when standing on the public highway and if they choose to erect their wall on the Market Place, then in my opinion it is fair game. By the time I was there for a second time suitably armed with camera, the rain had set in for the day and there was no sign of the wall.


So today's photo shows Pom shortly after returning home from the vets and although he wasn't keen on being photographed - he kept nuzzling the camera - I didn't even have to think about registering my details with anyone.

First Of Many

I walked past Victoria Park today and noticed a few clusters of snowdrops but waht really caught my eye were about half a dozen splashes of yellow.


They are the first to burst into flower of many crocuses that are shooting up all the way down Bristol Road and they give the heart a lift knowing that spring is on the way. It's been a long cold winter so any sign of a change in the season is welcome. It's been a showery day with some hail and rain but a good amount of blue skies too and the early sunshine set the tone for the day. The sight of the crocuses topped it off - magical!

Farewell Old Friend

I don't read as many books now as I used to but over the years I've always enjoyed a Dick Francis novel. I think I've read them all except his most recent publication but they are generally good yarns even if you aren't a horse racing fan and are a good form of relaxation. It was with some sadness therefore when I heard of his death yesterday.


I was also saddened to see the demise of another old friend today as a tree in St Mary's churchyard was felled. To a layman's eye it looked perfectly healthy if a tad crooked but a closer view at the logs on the ground showed a blackened centre and it must have been a possible safety hazard. It was still sad to see it go. My thoughts went back to the Annual Charter Fair many years ago when the Rockets spun round and round here clipping the autumn leaves as they went and to a later fair when some branches were removed to allow the passage of another fairground ride. That won't be a problem this coming October.

Ever The Romantic.

Today as well as being the start of the year of the tiger in the Chinese calendar is of course St. Valentine's Day and in case anyone didn't get their loved one flowers yesterday, shops that are usually closed on Sundays opened for business this morning.


As I passed one such shop when coming home from church I saw a box full of roses but at just one penny under five pounds for a rose in a vase, I didn't see many takers. I didn't buy one either and if you think I'm mean, I'd better point out that my wife much prefers to see flowers growing in the garden than in a vase. And these roses were well on the way to being fully open so they wouldn't last more than a couple of days indoors.

Town Council

I was at a well attended meeting in the Council Chamber in Ilkeston Town Hall this morning where plans for the possible creation of a Town Council as an additional layer of bureaucracy were being discussed. It is all part of a review aimed at bringing local matters back to local people.

There is an obvious cost involved which will add to the Council Tax bill but the overriding mood of the meeting was that Ilkeston has suffered under the jurisdiction of Erewash Borough Council as no members of the ruling party actually live in the town. There is a general perception in Ilkeston that other areas of the borough fare more favourably even though the town has a population higher than any other town or village.

Choices

I was out in the car again this morning and Streisand had been replaced by "The Best Of Rod Stewart" on the CD player. I don't think anyone would argue with me if I said Barbra had a better voice than Rod but I found Rod's CD a much more enjoyable musical experience. After lunch we took a walk down town and caught the bus back so the music was on hold. Whilst waiting for the bus though at the bottom of Bath Street, I took this shot across the road of the window at Taylor's Corn Store.


It's another reminder that spring is fast approaching although to be honest the temperature dropped this afternoon and the breeze made it feel a lot colder than earlier in the day. There's a good choice of varieties in the shop window especially of potatoes (which we don't have room for in our garden) and at least three different onion sets to choose from (which we do). Now which should we go for - Sturon, Stuttgarter or Turbo? That decision will wait for another day - the bus is due!

War Con - Walk On

I went for a pneumonia injection this afternoon in my left arm but also had a 'flu jab in the right arm. The nurse said that my arms may ache for a couple of days and after returning home, the left arm was starting to ache a little. I took myself off for a walk and was by the Erewash Canal in less than five minutes where I watched the swans, ducks and coots for a while and all thoughts of aching limbs were soon forgotten.


I had been listening to "The Essential Barbra Steisand" in the car and the last track was "You'll Never Walk Alone" - you know the one "Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart". There are several tracks on the double CD where her diction is far from perfect (who am I to talk?) and her rendition of this classic leaves a lot to be desired. She sings "War con, war con" and puts an aitch in the middle of words where there shouldn't be one. It's really irritating but when I saw this duck trying to "walk on" thin ice on the canal I was trying to come up with something witty to say to link the two - but failed miserably!

Although I like some of Streisand's singing and I've also enjoyed her films in the past, I still find it rather puzzling how she has become the musical legend she is now regarded as. I'll probably be bombarded now by emails from Streisand fans but I've got my defence all ready - for breath control and diction you only have to listen to Frank Sinatra. When I next listen to this CD, I think there will be several tracks that I won't "walk on" by but more likely skip over.

We Saw It Coming

We took a bus ride into Kimberley this afternoon and did a bit of shopping in Sainsbury's. As we left to wait for the return bus it started to snow.


It wasn't much and there was a heavier fall when we got home but unlike yesterday's clairvoyance event this was something we had seen coming as snow showers have been forecast since the weekend. For once they got it right!

Pyschic Event

I would have told you about this earlier if I had known ....


.... but honestly, I hadn't seen it coming! And I hadn't seen it advertised either so perhaps they were expecting only people with extrasensory perception to turn up.

Waste Management

Monday is usually our refuse collection day with black bins for household rubbish collected one week and green bags and blue bins a week later. Brown bins that are used during the summer for garden waste may also be used in the winter months for recyclable materials. This week though the routes have been reorganised and our collection day will now be Thursday each week. Other areas of the town too will have their rubbish collected on a different day but it was obvious this morning that the message had not been received by everyone.


Bags and bins will probably now be lining the streets for another three or four days and I bet the Council were inundated by phone calls this afternoon asking why the rubbish had not been collected. Notification about the changes was achieved by attaching self adhesive labels to the bins last week but some of them did not adhere too well, rolled up and became detached - thereby creating more rubbish on the streets. Surely that's a "lesson to be learned" as they say in waste management.

Substitute

We have a whole row on a bookcase full of cookery books and today I selected one at random and decided to make a cake. I found a recipe for a cherry and walnut gateau that was cooked in a square tin that looked quite appetising so I thought I'd give it a go.


The recipe called for a tablespoon of honey and a few drops of almond essence but as we had neither in stock I substituted golden syrup and vanilla. Then when it came to decorating it the topping should have had the cherries and walnuts. Guess what - we were fresh out of walnuts and the only cherries we had were well past the best before date. My wife is not fond of glacé cherries anyway so we ended up with crystallised diced pineapple on top. You can't say I'm not creative! If I don't post on this blog again, you'll know why but I think it'll be rather scrumptious and if you recollect, Bakewell Tart was created by accident.

The One That Got Away

Gifts and cards have become more and more prominent in shop windows in readiness for Valentine's Day next week and so far I have resisted the temptation to photograph them. Today however I couldn't resist when I saw this cute figure in a charity shop window.


With arms outstretched I was struck by the fact that had it not been for the slogan on its chest, it could well have been an angler describing the size of his catch that had slipped off the hook and got away. Sorry but that's how my mind works sometimes. Yes I know I'm weird!

Positively Spring-like

After yesterday's dreariness, today was a much milder and brighter day, so much so in fact that it fely almost like spring.


Don't let the photo fool you though as these pretty flowers in the basket have looked like this all winter - they're artificial. It can't be too long now though before we start to see some real spring flowers but the forecast is for a return to cold weather with a possibility of snow next week. I'm making sure to enjoy the milder weather while it lasts.

Here Comes The Sun

Early morning mist and fog soon lifted but left us with a dull, dark, dismal, dreary day with a fair amount of drizzle as well. We did manage at least one glimpse of the sun though as this picture proves - the Sun Wah Chinese Takeaway!

Splash Of Colour

Bedding plants are making a show in several shops in town but just after I captured this image it started to snow.


It's lovely to see a bit of spring colour but these plants are most probably hot house reared and I still think it's far too early to be thinking of trying to plant anything in our garden just yet. If the ground is not frozen hard, it's far too wet.

Rubbish

Whilst walking along Millership Way, one of the main roads into the town, this afternoon I was appalled by the amount of rubbish and litter that has accumulated along the verges.


Whilst councils, and I'm not sure here whether it's the local or the county authority, have a duty to clean up the mess, surely residents of the town have a duty not to let it get into this state in the first place. Whoever is responsible, the state of the road is an absolute disgrace.

Cats

I like cats! We have two of our own at home or should I say the two of them have got us trained?


This one though that I saw whilst out walking seemed a little wary of me. I guess it could be described as a ginger tom but apparently only cats that are pure ginger are toms as the ginger gene is on the y chromosome. It follows therefore that if a cat is not a pure ginger, it could be female. Either way, it was ready to run but soon settled after I had passed.