Your Country Needs You

It's a cliché, but it's never more true than on election day.  I am truly hoping that it won't be the 'Apathy' party that wins, and the turnout is one of the best.

I'm no politician, and I'm no preacher; but today is YOUR chance to have your say.

Like many, you may still be undecided; so have a look at Vote Match - a website that helps guide and determine your voting preference.

It takes around 10 minutes to complete, is totally anonymous, but at the end it will either confirm your beliefs, or will point out which parties policies you more likely agree with.

It's not perfect; indeed it doesn't take into account local issues; but if you need a guiding hand after all the talk and debates, this might just help.

Whoever you decide to vote for - please vote.

Legoland Discovery Centre - Update

Bank Holiday Monday came, and the weather, whilst dry, was rather on the cold side.  By the time we'd decided what to do, it was too late to venture too far.

So, we decided to make use of our annual LDC pass, and take in a visit to the Trafford Centre at the same time.

I should point out, that I have done a review of our last visit - you can read it here.

However, this visit is worthy of an update, because many of the 'faults' I highlighted have now been redressed, and the overall experience is much better.

For starters - there is now a separate queue for ticket and pass holders.  This makes it much easier to gain access, and means no waiting in the cold.  Big tick for that one.

Secondly, the ride.  Last time, I wrote that the queue management wasn't particularly smooth.  That's now been improved, and guests are now 'loaded' onto the ride much quicker and more efficiently.

Third - there was a huge expanse of, what I would have called 'wasted' space in the centre of the main room.  This has now been filled with what can only be described as a Lego pool.

It's quite vast, and is about 5"-6" deep with every imagineable type of Lego brick and component.  The kids just climb in and sit in this pool, surrounded by little plastic bricks.  I can't think it's too comfortable.  Adults can sit on the surround.

It was busy, but it was a constantly moving feast, and it was quite manageable.

There is just one more, little, complaint.  Although we had both films, the boys wanted to go to the 4D cinema again.  Well, it was an excuse for a sit down!!  However, since there are 2 films, it would be good if they displayed which film was being shown next - they were disappointed to see Bob The Builder again; even if they did enjoy it.

So; all in all, a postive trip.  I put together a short video of the day, with some of the elements I mentioned above.  Enjoy.

Cadbury's Latest Creation

I've written before about how much I love chocolate.  So, I was particularly excited to see the latest advert for Cadbury's Dairy Milk.



Mmm... off to raid the cupboard.

One Persons' Rubbish...

... is another persons treasure.  Or something like that.

On Sunday there was a car boot sale; with the proceeds donated to the 401st Manchester Scouts and Cubs and the 5th Cheetham Guides and Brownies.

It was a cold day, with a brisk breeze, but it did stay dry, mercifully.

Following a rather large de-clutter on Saturday, and reclaiming space in my office; there were bags and boxes of stuff ready for throwing away.

Oh, no!!

"You can't throw that away!"

"Why not? It's been gathering dust for the last year!"

"But I'll sell it or give it to a charity shop"

"It's going to the tip - unless you do the car boot sale tomorrow!"

"OK. I'll do it...!"

So, after consolidating all the 'stuff', it was packed into the car, in readiness for the morning.

Now; when I say 'stuff', that's the polite word.  We're talking tat and rubbish of the highest order.  Not including baby-related goods, which we haven't needed for at least a year; but has been taking up valuable space.

Now it was all going.  Of course, we could have just dropped it at the charity shops; indeed, that's where the leftover 'stuff' is going.

Bright and early on Sunday morning, The Wife set up stall in the allotted space in the park. Actually, that's not quite true, because as soon as the engine stopped, strangers were opening the car doors to start ransacking the 'stuff' available.  Quite incredible, and after she fought them off, the table was set and a mornings trading began.

When I arrived with the boys, much of the tat and rubbish had been bought by treasure hunters.  Heaven only knows what they wanted with such gubbins, but who were we to argue.

It was an extremely profitable morning, and already the search is on for more 'stuff' for the next sale.

In the meantime, why don't you hunt for the 'stuff' you no longer want or need, and head down to your nearest carboot sale.

Airport

I work near Manchester Airport.

So near, in fact, that as the planes come in to land, I can almost hear the passengers putting their seats and tables into the upright position!!

Oh, that's a little dramatic, but I swear I can see them wave!!

The thought that struck me, as I had a lunchtime stroll, was; with a plane landing every 2 minutes, how on earth is there time for a plane to take-off?

The pressure on the bods in the control tower, to job to manage the inbound and outbound traffic, must be immeasurable at times.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a plane-spotter; although I do marvel at the technology and romance of air travel.

However, with over 22 million people passing through the countries busiest regional airport, it seemed like there was no way the outgoing traffic could leave.

I know this is a rhetorical post - of course the flights leave, but I just had this passing thought.

Do you know?