Travellers’ Tales…

Mum and Dad have returned from their tour of Spain tired and happy (though a little less happy about the long queues through the Gatwick South Terminal). We had stuck them on a train in France at Narbonne and they got off in Spain at Barcelona, where the next day they joined a coach tour. They explored Barcelona before they travelled down to Valencia, to Granada, Seville and ended in Madrid. They saw many grand buildings and enjoyed the company of their fellow passengers, though they did say that the constant travelling and high temperatures did eventually tire them out and they were glad when they finally got to the end. They thought the tour was very comprehensive and well organised and supported by informative and engaging guides and that it was a good way to quickly see a country when you are stuck for time.

Baby Cuddles…

Our friends James and Nikala have just had their first baby boy, Noah, and we visited them recently to congratulate them and for Sue to have cuddles with the little bundle of joy. We had lunch and a walk in the park while we chatted (mostly about babies and baby related subjects). We welcomed them to the parental club and warned them that the easy bit was now over and the hard work was just beginning.

Birthday Treats…

Sue had her ‘still in my forties’ birthday party recently and we had a good turnout for her do around home. The weather held off enough for some to spend time outdoors on the deck while the rest were dancing in the dining room.

There was a good spread put together by a cast of many, including Sue with her now legendary sausage rolls and Carole who made an array of colourful cup cakes to accompany the rich chocolate cake she made.

Jamie impressed by his appearance baring an espresso coffee machine as a gift (he claimed he thought it was Sue’s 50^th but everyone told him he had set a precedent now and had to do better next year.)

Need an App? Then I know who to call…

Jamie has decided to hand in his notice and go into business full time with his friend Simon in a company called Locassa. They have set themselves up as independent App Developer and iPhone App Developers and have been establishing themselves for a while now with successful implementation of applications for a number of high profile customers.

So if you are looking for a company to help you with the development of an App or you know someone who might be interested in the services that they can offer, then you can point them in the direction of their website

More of wot I have read…

Ravenor: The Omnibus by Dan Abnett

I like this sort of stuff – modern Boys Own styled war stories. The stories are full of graphic and violent action but it does add depth and colour (though much of that colour is dark – storm grey, olive drab, blood red and midnight black) to the Gothic universe of the Games Workshop – Warhamer 40k table top game system. It is interesting to read how much attention and detail has been created to support a war game, the back story development is fascinating and very visual. If it wasn’t for the obscene amount of violence I think it would make a good movie.

‘In the war-torn future of the 41st millennium, the Inquisition fights a secret war against the darkest enemies of mankind – the alien, the heretic and the daemon. The three stories in this omnibus tell the tale of Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his lethal band of operatives, whose investigations take them from the heart of the Scarus Sector to the wildest regions of space beyond, and even through time itself. Wherever they go and whatever dangers they face, they will never give up until their mission succeeds.

The Omnibus contains the novels Ravenor, Ravenor Returned and Ravenor Rogue, plus two short stories and an introduction by the author.’