DONT STOP ME NOW

UPDATE, UPDATE

TESCO, head office, just rang (12.40 pm)
They have noted my coments and passed an urgent message on the the Carmarthen shop maintainance team, who will deal with this ASAP. WE WILL SEE !!

OK, this might sound “a bit like an Grumpy old man, syndrome” but these things need to be done.
Last night, I went to the new TESCO EXTRA, in Carmarthen. After shopping I went to have a wee. The door to the disabled toilet has NO “grab rail”, to unable you to close it (easily)!! (from a wheelchair)
I noted this upon my first (and second) visit, during its first week open, I thought, Its just one of those things that they haven’t got around to finishing. But 2 weeks on, and it hasn’t been done, So I made a complaint via customer services. My complaint was logged and inputted into the system, so I can track its progress.
I am not the only complainant!!, they have had !! It was well publicised ( in the local press) , that the store opened with NO mobility shopping cart present ( which 1 cart was “hurriedly” provided, a few days latter) with more to come ?? also concern was highlighted over the provision of wheelchairs (for shoppers use) which is to be addressed ASAP. And their “FREE” bus service, to the store , from the town, which is NOT wheelchair accessible ????.
Otherwise not a bad store (once they sort out some of the teething problems) (the LIFT to the CAFÉ “out of order, on my first visit!!)

What a wonderful, start to the morning. I submitted, a review, of the cinema I go to on a regular basis http://www.mwldan.co.uk/index.php to this website http://www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk/ (scroll down the notice board section ) I (hopefully) will be submitting more items, like this, on places I visit in Wales and abroad !!
Any suggestions, of places to go on a “places to visit” list , will be compiled, for future reference.

I have noticed that via the BBC Ouch website http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/ that the next “Beyond Boundaries / Ecuador” http://www.diverse.tv/programme.aspx?id=141 has an age restriction of 16-21, WHY? Also they seem to have left it fairly late, for the announcement of this information ? considering the time span “to get things organised”


Anyway, Back to my “going through the atlas and tourist guides” to see where to visit.

But in this weather (strong wind and rain) I am NOT going anywhere (even though “SKIN” is WATERPROOF)

What a wonderful, start to the morning. I submitted, a review, of the cinema I go to on a regular basis http://www.mwldan.co.uk/index.php to this website http://www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk/ (scroll down the notice board section ) I (hopefully) will be submitting more items, like this, on places I visit in Wales and abroad !!
Any suggestions, of places to go on a “places to visit” list , will be compiled, for future reference.

I have noticed that via the BBC Ouch website http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/ that the next “Beyond Boundaries / Ecuador” http://www.diverse.tv/programme.aspx?id=141 has an age restriction of 16-21, WHY? Also they seem to have left it fairly late, for the announcement of this information ? considering the time span “to get things organised”


Anyway, Back to my “going through the atlas and tourist guides” to see where to visit.

But in this weather (strong wind and rain) I am NOT going anywhere (even though “SKIN” is WATERPROOF)

Friday, Physiotherapist came to see me, in Coleshill. I havent seen a physio for a few years (mainly due to my name being "lost" in the system!!). They will make sure this doesnt happen again !!
Saturday, went to the cinema to see Casino Royale 007, A good film, plenty of action all the way through. a long film (2hours 20 mins)

Monday, went with my niece to Pembroke Dock via Narbeth and varying routes, as she is trying her, second, driving test today (tuesday)

After my Digital Story http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/background/alan-thomas.shtml was seen, by various people, I emailed some , Disability(Holiday) related websites , to see about submitting revviews of any place I visit in Wales and abroad. So far 2 have agreed, Thomson holidays does not require my services at the moment, they let me know by telephone

From earlier today my Digital Story is up on the Capture Wales website http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/ from here you can view all the other wonderful stories.

Please watch my Digital Story and then post a comment(on the website)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/capturewales/background/alan-thomas.shtml

THANK YOU

Friday, “Nothing To Report” (You know what I “DIDN’T” do !!)
Plus, it was Children in Need day, we had various things going on, I took some photos of people who had dressed up or with their face painted. We had our name on the BBC CIN program (Strap line, at the bottom of the TV screen) Coleshill Social Centre, Llanelli. £150.

Saturday, went to Haverfordwest, visited Days Ford to look at a Focus C-Max,( http://www.ford.co.uk/ie/focuscmax/-/-/-/-/-/- it is a very nice car, lots of room inside. I think it is a very close race between the C-Max and Fiat Doblo. We have a £250 voucher from Ford towards our next car, if we choose FORD, so we can use this to buy a C-Max with a higher specification . We then went on to the Volkwagen garage, in Neyland, to view the TOURAN,( http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/new_cars/touran/s it was not there to view plus it is on the very expensive scale (advance payment of £1400 +!!!) I don’t think its wise to pay that much for car that’s only yours for 3 years, then you have to start all
Over again (THAT SOUNDS A BIT TIGHT, doesn’t it ???). WE then went on to TESCO, FOCUS and other shops.

Sunday, A “lazy” day, doing a lot of “couch potato” sort of things. Did use computer to “chat” with other ATAXIANS (http://www.ataxia.org.uk/page.builder/virtual_branch.html via MSN messenger at 4.30 pm

In December, the South Wales Branch of Ataxia UK, has its Christmas dinner, taking place at The Dylan Thomas Restaurant, Swansea (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday night, I went to, the cinema ( http://www.mwldan.co.uk/ to see “Little White Lies” ( http://www.mwldan.co.uk/whats-on-cinema.php#littlewhiteliestbc A good and funny film, with a serious tone about RACISIM, but A LOT of swearing.
There is a fair few Welsh actors, that are a common sight on our televisions (S4C`s Pobl y cwm ) It is well worth going to see.

I know this will sound a bit SAD, to most people, but I bet there are a lot of similar people, out there…
Thursday, (very WET and windy)went to, the Newly opened, MONDAY 13th, TESCO EXTRA, in Carmarthen.
It was very busy, market day and people being, generally nosey. A big shop, very clean, it would be as being NEW!!. The only off putting thing was the lift not working, so the CAFÉ was not available, to Loamie and I.

So we went to see what other place we could find to have lunch. Carmarthen is NOT very wheelchair friendly, anyway. But I wanted to see what the Wetherspoon ( http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/pubfinder/details.php?OutletNumber=180 pub/restaurant had to offer. As a newly refurbished building, so “wheelie” access has been thought of and “ Yr Hen Dderwen” is readily accesssable. The disabled toilet RADAR(http://www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite/tabid/0/default.aspx ( key operated), if you haven’t got your own, they will unlock the door for you) is on the same level as the main bar and restaurant (main toilets are down stairs). The meal was, good, staff polite, the only thing, which is common in most places, is the floor covering/carpet used (the bar area is tiled) is NOT ideal for propelling a wheelchair. (Wetherspoon`s establishments are Mostly non-smoking, and this is one of them).

We have booked a flight to Malaga, next March, a few weeks after our holiday in Lanzarote. We booked on-line at Thomsonfly (http://www.thomsonfly.com/en/index.html , now we have to book the hotel, staying at Fuengirola or Benalmedena, probably through Alpharooms (https://www.alpharooms.com/ , it takes a bit longer to investigate the hotel/resort, to make sure it is suitable for a wheelie, one website, to start looking for advice or reviews is Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ or Holiday watchdog ( http://www.holidaywatchdog.com/ .

In March 2007, my Mobility (http://www.motability.co.uk/ , Ford Fusion is due to be changed, so we are going to start test-driving a new car, starting with Volkswagen this weekend. At the moment a Fiat Doblo ( http://www.fiat.co.uk/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_UK/carconfig/carconfig.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0482244085.1163677276@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccgaddjgjhggffcefecejgdfiidgnk.0&modelKey=119 is “high” on the list.

Friday, You know where I went , Coleshill Social Centre.
I didn’t get to do any (computer) work, as a “Speech and Language Therapist” came to visit me. She is based in Llanelli hospital, so it is easy for her to “pop” over to Coleshill, (only a couple of miles journey). After all the initial “Talk”, Discussing my problems with “choking and slow, slurred speech” we have set up another appointment in a fortnight.

Saturday, went to pick-up my nephew (Jason) to go to the cinema, in Cardigan ( http://www.mwldan.co.uk/
We went to see “BARNYARD” ( http://www.barnyardmovie.com/
He then came home to stay with us, as tomorrow,

SUNDAY, we went to (http://www.cc2000.info/ part of http://www.oakwood-leisure.com/ ) to go 10 pin Bowling. I was concerned about doing this, while in “Loamie” but the access (for a wheelchair) was fine, the actual bowling was very good, Last time I went there, was about 15 years ago, and before that the place was a busy night club (before it was converted) this was just after I left school, some 24 years ago !!!!!. After this we went to Whitland, to have, a late Sunday lunch. We went to Roadhouse Resturant ( http://www.roadhouserestaurant.co.uk/ (by the look of it, website “not complete) very new, clean and fairly quite. The only thing I have a small “niggle” is one of the double doors, at the entrance, was locked, so we had to ask for it to be unlocked, so I could go in, I had to wait outside, on the approach ramp (not ideal!) once inside everything was fine.
I remember this was just “a greasy spoon” in an old coach !, so much has changed!!

Got the computer under, some sort of control, Just start a new account (windows XP)and rename the faulty one, as “FAULTY”, so I know which one to avoid !!. All I have to do now, is get everything, back as I am used to. (reinstall a few “drivers” to make things work, printer, scanner-camera etc).

As it was “mid-week” the local newspaper, “Carmarthen Journal” was in the shops, so a spin (in STORMY) was “called for”. On the return journey, within a few hundred yards of the house, it started to get damp and drizzly, But NOT enough to put a coat on, plus I would be home soon enough.

Looking at various websites, at cheap, flights, there is plenty of bargains to be had. The hotels (usually) have their own website, where you can book direct with them. But ALWAYS make sure you investigate, the destination, thoroughly , before you make a final decision. (No wonder my computer course has taken a back seat !!!)

Last night (Wednesday) I went to the cinema in Cardigan http://www.mwldan.co.uk/index.php to see “An Inconvenient Truth” http://www.climatecrisis.net/ A very informative film, all about “THE GLOBAL WARMING and its EFFECTS. As it has been said in the press, “This Film should be shown as part of the school Curriculum”. I was aware , of Global Warming and its consequences, BUT even I have “LEARNED” that the out come of daily living has an effect on our future, You could say “Its SCAREY” to think that we are “meddling with the future for generations to come.
GO AND SEE THIS FILM

When ever I switch on, my main computer, it has gone back to the beginning, so all the information, I have inputted, has been lost AGAIN !!!!!

It is getting very close to “throwing out of the window” time. But I will not be beaten.

Yesterday, I went down the village, in “Stormy” , to get the Saturday Western Mail (it has the Local TV guide) which we dint pick up on the day. Posted back, a form to TUI UK (Thomson Holidays Travel) to “comment on Disability travel issues”, so fingers crossed.

The Ataxia UK annual conference, is taking place, this weekend. I will not be able to attend, due to prior commitments (nephews 12th birthday) but my Digital Story is to be shown, to all attending.

Just been for a spin in “stormy” around the block.

Sunday (morning)
Turned on the computer, Everything I replaced yesterday, has gone AGAIN !!! .

Will have to do more invetigating to try and see if its worth keeping this account (win XP) or deleting it and starting a new one.

Woo Hoo, Woo Hoo
the computer is working..(sort of) well 95%

I have XP and my user account as been totally wiped LL, the other account dosent seem to be affected.

I need to reinstall drivers, to make things work on my account.

So if you, have ever had any sort of contact with me,Please, please send me an email, so I can re-establish my address book (and BACK IT UP !!).

I managed to study a bit, with ,my computer course at “school” (Powerpoint, will hopefully help me understand – how to set up a web site) an idea I have been toying with for a while, but I think time has come to set my mind (what is left!!) to do something, over the winter months.

This morning my KETTLE has stopped working,
Things all ways go wrong in groups of three, so what will be the third (answers on a postcard !!)

Now I have managed to reinstall XP. Now I am going to back up all the work that has been recovered.
Having problems with the email, so anybody needing my experteese on any thing, PLEASE be patient !!!!

A, very sucessfull, meet of Ataxia South Wales in The Glamorgan Arms, Swansea, Last night.
This branch WILL be counting on support from anyone conected with Ataxia (however distant) so expect contact from ASW very shortly.

Now back to sorting out my main computer (XP), this "old and small" laptop (win 2000) has its limitations, but is very useful!!!

Looks like I have got "major" problems on my main computer (I am using my back-up LAPTOP, to write this)

The hard-drive seems to have got a corrupt file and wont load windows XP, so it looks like all my information has gone, did back up the photos though