Crunch
Posted: Fri 18 December, 2009 Filed under: Domestic, Driving, Norfolk, Travel, Weather 1 Comment »Last night, as may have come to people’s attention, it snowed in Norfolk. Quite heavily in fact, with a heavy wind that meant the snow was horizontal in places.
It was also effing cold – in snow? Who’d have thought? – which meant that the road was slippy.
Coming home, I started slipping at one crossroads, and slowed down as a result. I knew the next bit was dodgy at the best of times – seen the results of several accidents there already – so I was down to about 15mph. The car slid, and rather than turning went straight on, up the verge, and took out the fence of the house that’s on the corner. (Again, that fence has been taken out at least four times to my knowledge – so I’m the fifth) It slid along the fence, popping out the wooden fence panels, and hitting the concrete fence posts.
It wasn’t a hard impact – just inertia and momentum really – and didn’t even trigger the airbags. But the entire front quarter is stuffed, I’ve lost a headlamp, front nearside panel’s gone, and the bumper’s stuffed too. It’s going to take some work to fix.
The insurance company I use (Tesco) have been really good so far. The recovery truck was out within the hour they said, and today I’ve started the claim, and just about everything has run smoothly. There’s one exception to that, but that’s a separate post.
More mortifying was the fact that someone had called the police – I don’t know if it was one of the houseowners, or someone driving past, but still, up they pulled, blue lights and all. Probably for the best, as the corner was still dodgy and slippery (the police car came up at about 15-20mph too) but all the same, pretty mortifying. Still, it means that as well as having my first “proper” accident, I’ve also had my first breathalyser test – blowing an absolute zero, which wasn’t a surprise – and given all my details to them about the crash. An interesting experience, to be sure.
So the car’s stuffed – but thankfully it appears to be mainly the bodywork, not the chassis or anything. And it could’ve been so much worse. After all, I’m not hurt, no-one else got hurt, and really it’s just a car and a fence.
Crossing to Nowhere
Posted: Mon 14 December, 2009 Filed under: 1BEM, Driving, Norfolk, Stupidity, Weirdness Leave a comment »While out shopping for some bits yesterday, we came across this crossing in a carpark in Norwich…
Crossing to Nowhere
Yep, that zebra-crossing actually ends up in a hedge. No pathway, no throughfare, nothing. Just cross the road, walk into a hedge.
Bizarre
Not as Advertised
Posted: Tue 17 November, 2009 Filed under: Advertising, Norfolk Leave a comment »In Norwich, a new venue called “Open” has – um – opened.
The URL for the website is Open247.org.uk – implying that Open is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
However, if you look at the opening hours (and it’s not easy to find them) you get this…
The opening hours are as follows:
- Monday – Saturday 9am-10pm
- Sunday 10 – 9pm
Which means it’s not actually 24/7 at all, is it? Although I suppose (at most) 13/7 doesn’t have quite the same ring to it…
Hallowe’en Quizzage Results
Posted: Mon 2 November, 2009 Filed under: Domestic, Norfolk, People Leave a comment »The village quiz last night was – as expected – quite a laugh. What was really good to see was that it was far busier than the previous years we’ve attended, to the point that they had to set up some extra tables in order to seat everyone. Auspiciously, there were 13 teams/tables taking part.
Our table ended up with a “best-decorated table” award, mainly because of Herself’s mother, who had excelled herself with a chocolate cake made up to look like a graveyard, which got taken on a tour round all the other tables by the organisers.
In the end, we came third out of the thirteen tables, only five points off the winning score. That suits me/us – yes, it would be nice to win, but I’m usually content with a “Top Three” position. (And we’ve managed that at each of the village quizzes we’ve attended so far) After all, it’s not the winning, it’s being there and having fun with the entire thing.
All told, a fun evening – allbeit one that also makes you realise just how feckin’ nutty some of our village people really are.
Hallowe’en Quizzage
Posted: Sat 31 October, 2009 Filed under: Domestic, Norfolk Leave a comment »As it’s Hallowe’en, our madcap village is going to be having its annual quiz tonight, where as many participants as possible dress up and get into (pardon the pun) the spirit of things.
Bizarrely, the entire thing is organised by the village church, held in the church hall, and all proceeds from ticket sales etc. go to the church. For a Hallowe’en event. Bizarre, I know.
As per the last couple of years, we’ll be down there along with other members of the family. It’s a fun night, and we normally do OK on it. Even better, it means we get to avoid any little bastards who may be out doing trick or treat. Bonus.
Beach Day
Posted: Sat 10 October, 2009 Filed under: Animals, Domestic, Norfolk Leave a comment »We spent a lot of today at the beach for Wells-next-the-Sea with Hound and Maisie, the black lab of the out-laws.
Wells is a fantastic place for dogs – particularly while the tide’s out – and they’ve both had a fantastic time today. Of course, Hound’s knackered now, although that’s part of the bonus of the beach – two hours there will knacker most dogs.
All told though, a good way to spend a Saturday. In the sun, on a beach, throwing a ball on a rope for idiot dogs.
Unsalted
Posted: Sat 19 September, 2009 Filed under: 1BEM, Health, Norfolk, People, Stupidity, Sweary, Thoughts Leave a comment »Sometimes you read a story and your mind boggles right out of its tiny capsule.
In this case, it’s a story about Norfolk’s Trading Standards launching a campaign to get people to reduce their salt intake. “How?”, I hear you cry. Well, like this…
New saltshakers with fewer holes have provided for fish and chip shops in Norfolk to help cut salt consumption. The saltshakers only have five holes and dispense 50% less salt than the usual 17-hole versions.
What ?!?
So this ‘campaign’ is only in the 400-ish fish-and-chip places in Norfolk. If you’re in a chippy, I somehow suspect that the salt in it is far less of a long-term risk than the amount of fat that’s going into that meal. But no, we’ll focus on the salt. Genius.
And what the fuck has it got to do with Trading Standards? Are people no longer judged to have enough personal responsibility to manage their own salt levels on their food?
I despair. I truly do.