Monday, April 23, 2007
HILLARIOUS
A, Fairly, quiet week.
Friday, went to Coleshill, started, a “new” module, of the computer class, DATABASE, using Access. Que “A LOT OF STUDYING !!!!!!!
On Saturday, we picked up Jason, on the way to a country park (near Golden Grove,Llandeilo.
I knew it was going “to be an ADVENTURE” so we put “stormie” (powerchair) in the car.
We got there, had a cup of tea (and Welsh cake) looked on the plan (of the park) decided to take the (longest) of the 4 trails.
As, you, can imagine, the trail goes through fields, woodland, over (small wooden) bridges.
Along the (gravel) paths, the tree roots, are very prominent, making for a very “wobbly (and rough) ride. The first obstacle, was a step, at the end of a small bridge, over a ditch. We managed, this (with me out of the chair).
Further on, we came across, (on the left) a set of “steep” steps (10 or more) that was a NO-GO.
On the (right), a steep, loose gravel (and tree roots) slope, upwards, to get back to “flat” land (and another path) we got up with Dawn assisting me and the chair.
So, on to another trail. Through woodland, past the Mansion and where the path goes down a very steep path, Jason, went down “on step duty” to the flat part of the path, NO STEPS. The path is so steep, Stormie would not stop, wheels skidded on the gravel !! once I started my de-cend, I was “committed”. The bottom was a “tarmac” track, which we had to cross.
Next, was a small ramp over a fence !! ramp one side- steps the other??, time to turn back !!
To get back, was up the VERY STEEP, rough, gravel, path !!!
So we sent Jason ahead to make sure the way was clear, I took “stormie” (at topgear) for a run up (to the slope) Dawn pushed as hard as she could, and we just had to “go for it”.
We couldn’t stop, for a rest, as stormie would just skid down. Add to this, the right hand side, was “like, dropping in to a small ravine, full of bushes.
It was, all or nothing, get to the top, fall out of “stormie” and “die” or get serious injuries or leave “stormie” behind.
As you can tell, I didn’t die, and “stormie” is in the front room, having a rest !!
I wish I had filmed it, to upload to youtube !!!!!!
It was so HILLARIOUS!!!!!!
Conclusion, always ask a park warden, the best access trail…..
Friday, went to Coleshill, started, a “new” module, of the computer class, DATABASE, using Access. Que “A LOT OF STUDYING !!!!!!!
On Saturday, we picked up Jason, on the way to a country park (near Golden Grove,Llandeilo.
I knew it was going “to be an ADVENTURE” so we put “stormie” (powerchair) in the car.
We got there, had a cup of tea (and Welsh cake) looked on the plan (of the park) decided to take the (longest) of the 4 trails.
As, you, can imagine, the trail goes through fields, woodland, over (small wooden) bridges.
Along the (gravel) paths, the tree roots, are very prominent, making for a very “wobbly (and rough) ride. The first obstacle, was a step, at the end of a small bridge, over a ditch. We managed, this (with me out of the chair).
Further on, we came across, (on the left) a set of “steep” steps (10 or more) that was a NO-GO.
On the (right), a steep, loose gravel (and tree roots) slope, upwards, to get back to “flat” land (and another path) we got up with Dawn assisting me and the chair.
So, on to another trail. Through woodland, past the Mansion and where the path goes down a very steep path, Jason, went down “on step duty” to the flat part of the path, NO STEPS. The path is so steep, Stormie would not stop, wheels skidded on the gravel !! once I started my de-cend, I was “committed”. The bottom was a “tarmac” track, which we had to cross.
Next, was a small ramp over a fence !! ramp one side- steps the other??, time to turn back !!
To get back, was up the VERY STEEP, rough, gravel, path !!!
So we sent Jason ahead to make sure the way was clear, I took “stormie” (at topgear) for a run up (to the slope) Dawn pushed as hard as she could, and we just had to “go for it”.
We couldn’t stop, for a rest, as stormie would just skid down. Add to this, the right hand side, was “like, dropping in to a small ravine, full of bushes.
It was, all or nothing, get to the top, fall out of “stormie” and “die” or get serious injuries or leave “stormie” behind.
As you can tell, I didn’t die, and “stormie” is in the front room, having a rest !!
I wish I had filmed it, to upload to youtube !!!!!!
It was so HILLARIOUS!!!!!!
Conclusion, always ask a park warden, the best access trail…..
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Had Trouble updating the BLOG
The last, week, has been, very interesting.
Over the Easter Holidays, I had time to visit StClears Craft Fair. Met a few people I know (1 person from school) plus some official members of the town and county council.
I also made an appointment, to visit and review an art gallery, that has wheelchair access.
After visiting, the art gallery, we went to visit the Woollen Museum, Llandysul.
During Wednesday morning, I went to a council meeting, in county Hall, Carmarthen. I sat in the “press”area, as the public area is upstairs.
After which, I conveyed my concerns (over my adaption grant) to one of the councillors, who IS going to make things happen !!!!
Thursday, I went with Jason, to Morriston hospital, Swansea, for a check-up. The consultant / surgeon is very pleased with his progress and wants to see him in 6 months.
Friday, Coleshill, No computer lesson, as its half-term, we start the Data base module, next week !!!!!
On Sunday, when we left, the house, I was in t-shirt and shorts, as it was hot. As we were, getting closer to Cardigan, it was getting misty, once in St. Dogmaels, it was very heavy mist and very damp, a complete contrast to the rest of the UK !!!. I took “stormie” (powerchair) (all of him, this time!), to go on an adventure, but this time IT WAS TOO COLD!!.
We settled, for lunch, at TESCO (Cardigan isn’t the best, accessibility, wise town. We then went over to POPPIT beach, BIG mistake !!!, it was very cold, just a few people about. We went in to have a cup of tea and a few (homemade) Welsh cakes, in the café.
Haven’t been out on my trike, as the wind has been a bit chilly (or I am getting “soft” in my old age??
The next few days, I will have to get “my act together” and get my reports up to date.
This morning, Local County Councillor (and chairman of Carmarthen County Council, for 2007) came to visit, to get an update, on the adaptation grant “fiasco”, he is going to chase things up.
I have been outside, and its warmer out there than in the HOUSE.
The BLOG has been, hard to get in to in the last few days ?????????
Over the Easter Holidays, I had time to visit StClears Craft Fair. Met a few people I know (1 person from school) plus some official members of the town and county council.
I also made an appointment, to visit and review an art gallery, that has wheelchair access.
After visiting, the art gallery, we went to visit the Woollen Museum, Llandysul.
During Wednesday morning, I went to a council meeting, in county Hall, Carmarthen. I sat in the “press”area, as the public area is upstairs.
After which, I conveyed my concerns (over my adaption grant) to one of the councillors, who IS going to make things happen !!!!
Thursday, I went with Jason, to Morriston hospital, Swansea, for a check-up. The consultant / surgeon is very pleased with his progress and wants to see him in 6 months.
Friday, Coleshill, No computer lesson, as its half-term, we start the Data base module, next week !!!!!
On Sunday, when we left, the house, I was in t-shirt and shorts, as it was hot. As we were, getting closer to Cardigan, it was getting misty, once in St. Dogmaels, it was very heavy mist and very damp, a complete contrast to the rest of the UK !!!. I took “stormie” (powerchair) (all of him, this time!), to go on an adventure, but this time IT WAS TOO COLD!!.
We settled, for lunch, at TESCO (Cardigan isn’t the best, accessibility, wise town. We then went over to POPPIT beach, BIG mistake !!!, it was very cold, just a few people about. We went in to have a cup of tea and a few (homemade) Welsh cakes, in the café.
Haven’t been out on my trike, as the wind has been a bit chilly (or I am getting “soft” in my old age??
The next few days, I will have to get “my act together” and get my reports up to date.
This morning, Local County Councillor (and chairman of Carmarthen County Council, for 2007) came to visit, to get an update, on the adaptation grant “fiasco”, he is going to chase things up.
I have been outside, and its warmer out there than in the HOUSE.
The BLOG has been, hard to get in to in the last few days ?????????
Monday, April 09, 2007
HAPPY EASTER
Happy Easter
Saturday, was spent at StClears, Craft festival.
A very interesting, day out. I met many people (including some council officials). Also got some “very good-ideas” for places to visit, for my DHI research, including an art gallery, ski slope and fishing lakes, all with disabled access or disabled tuition !!!
Sunday, went on another “Adventure” with Jason, we, put “Stormie” (power-chair) in the car, to St. Dogmaels, but when we got there, we found, that we had forgot to put the backrest (for the chair) in the car. So we used “Loamie” (manual chair) for a (shorter) adventure. Went through the village and along a foot-path (Griag) to the new jetty, on the river Teifi, then we started our way back along the road to St. Dogmaels. As we got half way back, my partner, came to see where we were, as it was getting late. Pictures, will be on Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanroygbiv/ later today (time permitting)
I am going to attend a (public) meeting in Carmarthen, Council`s, County Hall. And later that day , visit some places for my research, so I can tick them off my “HIT LIST”, that I have compiled, and adding to !!!.
Saturday, was spent at StClears, Craft festival.
A very interesting, day out. I met many people (including some council officials). Also got some “very good-ideas” for places to visit, for my DHI research, including an art gallery, ski slope and fishing lakes, all with disabled access or disabled tuition !!!
Sunday, went on another “Adventure” with Jason, we, put “Stormie” (power-chair) in the car, to St. Dogmaels, but when we got there, we found, that we had forgot to put the backrest (for the chair) in the car. So we used “Loamie” (manual chair) for a (shorter) adventure. Went through the village and along a foot-path (Griag) to the new jetty, on the river Teifi, then we started our way back along the road to St. Dogmaels. As we got half way back, my partner, came to see where we were, as it was getting late. Pictures, will be on Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanroygbiv/ later today (time permitting)
I am going to attend a (public) meeting in Carmarthen, Council`s, County Hall. And later that day , visit some places for my research, so I can tick them off my “HIT LIST”, that I have compiled, and adding to !!!.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
More hours in the day, PLEASE
Yesterday morning (Wednesday) I went to see the Neurologist, just a check-up.
He was very impressed with my co-ordination (for someone, who has had ATAXIA diagnosed almost 10 years ago). Although, he said my speech “was not 100% “perfect”.
He also said “it wasn’t worth me going to London to the Ataxia clinic, as I had suggested, as we all knew that I had ATAXIA, and it is progressing “very slow”, so I “just have to LIVE with it” LIKE I AM DOING !!!!.
Afterwards, we went to visit a “Self-Catering” cottage in Llangunnor, Carmarthen.
My report will be on the www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk website ( Carmarthen, page) as soon as possible, after I have done all my research.
After this, I rang, Jason, to see if he wanted to come, with us to visit Carmarthen Museum.(another visit, on my DHI, list) He did, so we picked him up, he has been, to the museum, before, about 5 years ago (he remembered every bit of it).
I wasn’t sure if it was a place to go, in a wheelchair, but I was surprised, at how, access IS NO problem.
Our return was to TESCO (of course) to have supper, before going home.
Now the hard(ish) part, to put my findings, down in writing. I have got photos, to help me out, plus a stardard questionnaire, was filled in, on site.. and investigate more, places, to visit
or is it "BE SCARED, VERY SCARED--"
He was very impressed with my co-ordination (for someone, who has had ATAXIA diagnosed almost 10 years ago). Although, he said my speech “was not 100% “perfect”.
He also said “it wasn’t worth me going to London to the Ataxia clinic, as I had suggested, as we all knew that I had ATAXIA, and it is progressing “very slow”, so I “just have to LIVE with it” LIKE I AM DOING !!!!.
Afterwards, we went to visit a “Self-Catering” cottage in Llangunnor, Carmarthen.
My report will be on the www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk website ( Carmarthen, page) as soon as possible, after I have done all my research.
After this, I rang, Jason, to see if he wanted to come, with us to visit Carmarthen Museum.(another visit, on my DHI, list) He did, so we picked him up, he has been, to the museum, before, about 5 years ago (he remembered every bit of it).
I wasn’t sure if it was a place to go, in a wheelchair, but I was surprised, at how, access IS NO problem.
Our return was to TESCO (of course) to have supper, before going home.
Now the hard(ish) part, to put my findings, down in writing. I have got photos, to help me out, plus a stardard questionnaire, was filled in, on site.. and investigate more, places, to visit
or is it "BE SCARED, VERY SCARED--"
Monday, April 02, 2007
Guess what--Busy, Busy, Busy
It is getting, so busy, that I haven’t had time, to keep up-to-date with, this BLOG.
Went on a “Day Adventure” to Bristol. On the train from Carmarthen, went with Jason (nephew, 12).
Journey took 2 and a half to 3 hours, with a change at Newport.
Temple Mead Station, Bristol is very big, but the staff are very pleasant. The member of staff, that we had at the station, was very good, he assisted us through the station, asked us where we were going and advised us about how to go about our stay, he even “hailed” a taxi for us. We went to “Showcase” cinema in Avon Meads, Bristol. We saw “Norbit” starring Eddie Murphy http://www.meetnorbit.com/
While we waited, for the film to start, we went to “McDonalds” for some lunch.
Returning back to, the station (and then Carmarthen) was an “EPIC” Adventure !!!!!
We went to find a Bus stop or a taxi rank (which we were told were “over there, not far”!!!!!) we went “over there” NOTHING, asked a local couple, over by Sainsbury, the bus station. So we started our way, to get to the pavement, meant we had to go a few hundred yards, out of our way. A short cut was taken,( as others had been doing and as a result, made a hole through the hedge), doing so, I had to hold on to a signpost, while Jason got the (empty) wheelchair on to the pavement. Any twigs and tree shoots and branches kept finding their way in to the spokes of the wheels, making the “short cut” very time consuming, but very amusing, to us and passers by!!!.
Once on the pavement, we came across a sign, to Temple Mead Train Station, in a TOTALLY opposite direction to Sainsbury???
We decided to take this path, along side the river. A tarmac path, though a park and along side numerous buildings, after a while we asked a passing cyclist, the way, we were only 200 yards away (around the corner).
To get to the station from the footpath, meant navigating some of the (very) busy city streets at “rush hour”, 5ish)
In the station, we went to the information desk, were we were given a printout of our journey (times, platforms and train changes), little did we know, that this printout was to be USELESS.
First leg of the journey, was delayed, and carriage was “packed”, Plus our
“change” station was CHANGED Cardiff Central to Newport.
At Newport, the train was late, delayed (in Reading) then CANCELLED!!!!! We were re-directed to another platform, to get another train, due in 30 minutes, while getting a sandwich and coffee, the station master, RAN in shouting “TRAIN TO CARMARTHEN” IT WAS EARLY!!!!!!!
Because, the other train was cancelled, this train was made up, to carry the extra passengers, the wheelchair space was in the “quiet” carriage, at the front of the train, because Mobile phones are NOT allowed in this carriage, one person was asked to leave !!!
After, all this, we got home around 11.00pm.
Jason stayed with us, as he was coming with us to collect, our new car, Volkswagon TOURAN (Shadow Blue)
A totally different, car to the “old” Ford Fusion. Very quiet, loads of extras, very comfortable (and seven seats).
Friday, Coleshill. Nothing to report.
We went Carmarthen, on Saturday, A local produce market was taking place, very interesting, we visited this event during Christmas, and even though, it was busier then, it was busy, today.
Sunday, we went to a Car Boot Sale, at the showground, Carmarthen. A very busy event, which takes place fairly often, a small part, which is in side, the site has tarmac paths (some are a bit stoney, for a wheelchair) but it’s a good morning out.
I will get more photos up on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanroygbiv/
And there is some small film clips to go on to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=alanroygbiv
Dawn, has entered the Race for Life http://www.raceforlife.org/ to take place in Llanelli, in June. If you haven’t sponsored her, yet, you can do so at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/dawniemorgan
Got loads to do,
Upload photos and clips, after renaming them.
Scan documents
Laminate documents
Sort out , and investigate, some(more) places to visit for http://www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk/index.htm
and for Jason and I, to continue our adventures.
Went on a “Day Adventure” to Bristol. On the train from Carmarthen, went with Jason (nephew, 12).
Journey took 2 and a half to 3 hours, with a change at Newport.
Temple Mead Station, Bristol is very big, but the staff are very pleasant. The member of staff, that we had at the station, was very good, he assisted us through the station, asked us where we were going and advised us about how to go about our stay, he even “hailed” a taxi for us. We went to “Showcase” cinema in Avon Meads, Bristol. We saw “Norbit” starring Eddie Murphy http://www.meetnorbit.com/
While we waited, for the film to start, we went to “McDonalds” for some lunch.
Returning back to, the station (and then Carmarthen) was an “EPIC” Adventure !!!!!
We went to find a Bus stop or a taxi rank (which we were told were “over there, not far”!!!!!) we went “over there” NOTHING, asked a local couple, over by Sainsbury, the bus station. So we started our way, to get to the pavement, meant we had to go a few hundred yards, out of our way. A short cut was taken,( as others had been doing and as a result, made a hole through the hedge), doing so, I had to hold on to a signpost, while Jason got the (empty) wheelchair on to the pavement. Any twigs and tree shoots and branches kept finding their way in to the spokes of the wheels, making the “short cut” very time consuming, but very amusing, to us and passers by!!!.
Once on the pavement, we came across a sign, to Temple Mead Train Station, in a TOTALLY opposite direction to Sainsbury???
We decided to take this path, along side the river. A tarmac path, though a park and along side numerous buildings, after a while we asked a passing cyclist, the way, we were only 200 yards away (around the corner).
To get to the station from the footpath, meant navigating some of the (very) busy city streets at “rush hour”, 5ish)
In the station, we went to the information desk, were we were given a printout of our journey (times, platforms and train changes), little did we know, that this printout was to be USELESS.
First leg of the journey, was delayed, and carriage was “packed”, Plus our
“change” station was CHANGED Cardiff Central to Newport.
At Newport, the train was late, delayed (in Reading) then CANCELLED!!!!! We were re-directed to another platform, to get another train, due in 30 minutes, while getting a sandwich and coffee, the station master, RAN in shouting “TRAIN TO CARMARTHEN” IT WAS EARLY!!!!!!!
Because, the other train was cancelled, this train was made up, to carry the extra passengers, the wheelchair space was in the “quiet” carriage, at the front of the train, because Mobile phones are NOT allowed in this carriage, one person was asked to leave !!!
After, all this, we got home around 11.00pm.
Jason stayed with us, as he was coming with us to collect, our new car, Volkswagon TOURAN (Shadow Blue)
A totally different, car to the “old” Ford Fusion. Very quiet, loads of extras, very comfortable (and seven seats).
Friday, Coleshill. Nothing to report.
We went Carmarthen, on Saturday, A local produce market was taking place, very interesting, we visited this event during Christmas, and even though, it was busier then, it was busy, today.
Sunday, we went to a Car Boot Sale, at the showground, Carmarthen. A very busy event, which takes place fairly often, a small part, which is in side, the site has tarmac paths (some are a bit stoney, for a wheelchair) but it’s a good morning out.
I will get more photos up on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanroygbiv/
And there is some small film clips to go on to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=alanroygbiv
Dawn, has entered the Race for Life http://www.raceforlife.org/ to take place in Llanelli, in June. If you haven’t sponsored her, yet, you can do so at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/dawniemorgan
Got loads to do,
Upload photos and clips, after renaming them.
Scan documents
Laminate documents
Sort out , and investigate, some(more) places to visit for http://www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk/index.htm
and for Jason and I, to continue our adventures.
