Dagsblatt

Flooding around Quin

Published on November 25, 2009 in Flooding. Closed Tags: Defender, Flooding, Land Rover, Quin, Snorkel, Tonka.

Normally a large field with a small stream, now a large lake with a small field, panoramic shot of Quin Abbey and the flooding behind it.

Just for comparison, the same shot taken a few days later.

And a few days later again, total change in scenery.

And the same stream on the other side of Quin, land flooded for what seems like miles around:

Luckily I had Tonka to play with….

Sweetpea

Published on November 21, 2009 in Baby. Closed Tags: Baby, scans, ultrasound scan.

So, not wanting to burden the child with any names which might pigeon hole it, i.e. Kung Fu Panda, we’ve settled for the moment on Sweetpea. 31 week scan passed relatively well, slight concerns about the blood flow through the umbilical cord and that the baby was a bit skinny. Long and thin is fine with Mum though, at least when Sweetpea decides it wants to join the world outside of it’s womb. We’re now on a fortnightly scan schedule to monitor the growth of Sweetpea so here are some of the scans from week 31 and as a bonus, so you only have to read one post from me, I’ve also included week 33′s scans. But don’t worry, there’s still week 35, 37 etc. to go yet. We’ve had our first Anti-natal class as well, on the 17th of November. Very illuminating. We were one of a minority of Irish nationals there, and without sounding too bloody racist, I started to get really sick and tired of the constant chatter in the background as the other people present translated what was being said to their native tongues. I was well focused on what was being said so I really could have done without the chatter. God help them next week if they don’t shut up! Anyway, here’s the photos.

Week 31:

Week 33:

Handsome chappie / Beautiful girl….

Retro Porn (or what to do with an old 911 if you’ve got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket)

Published on September 29, 2009 in Uncategorized. Closed

Over on PH at the moment

More retro goodness

Published on September 10, 2009 in Mercedes. Closed Tags: Gullwing, McMerc, SLR.

Following on from an earlier post showing a photo of an enthusiast’s modern day interpretation of a Merc Gullwing, Merc has now launched their own. And it’s real. The new McMerc SLR Gullwing:

16/12/09 – Correction – It’s not McMerc. It’s designed and built in-house by AMG. Round of applause please.

MiTo GTA

Published on September 10, 2009 in Uncategorized. Closed

The Mini Cooper S has got a bit of competition coming it’s way. Meet the 240BHP(!!!!) Alfa MiTo GTA

Interesting. Now if they make an estate version…..

Ben dover

Published on September 9, 2009 in Uncategorized. Closed Tags: An Post, Public Service, Vaseline.

An Post should hand out jars of this stuff when you go to collect a parcel.

Went in to An Post today to pick up a shipment from the US of A which I had recently purchased on eBay (more about that later). So I got caught for VAT / Import duty on it for €26.02. Fair enough. But here’s where everyones favourite Petroleum Jelly comes in to it. I also got charged €6.00 by An Post for collecting the €26.02 from me, on behalf of the Revenue Commisioners. So I’ve paid (rather handsomely) for the delightful privilege of being charged VAT??!!? W-T-F !!!!!!! How the fuck do they justify €6.00 – what did they do in order to generate €6.00 worth of work on their behalf. Firstly, they told me there was money owing. I then had to go round to the nearest ATM, because, God forbid, An Post of course don’t do Laser or take Cheques or take Credit Cards (one wonders what would they be charging for the pleasure if they did – for that matter they don’t even open their parcel office on Saturday mornings – that’d really be pushing the boat out in terms of customer service). I came back, handed the chap behind the counter a €50 note, a €2 coin and 2 cent to make it as easy as possible for them. He then had to give me €20 change, which he did in the form of 2 €10 notes. All very strenuous for An post I’m sure you’ll agree. Presumably there’s some back office work that then happens so that the €26.02 gets to the Revenue. But €6′s worth???? Even Ryanair don’t charge that much for their hidden charges.

Is it any wonder that the public service is so utterly screwed up in this country. There was probably a strike looming in An Post when they became the collection agents for the Revenue unless the workers got paid additional money for job changes and training and stress and God knows what other spurrious reasons the unions could think of. They’re probably getting a couple of euros extra in their pay packet to take on this strenuous activity.

Plink…

Aaahhh. The sound of a penny dropping. Or €6 dropping to be more precise.

Tonka Jr.

Published on September 8, 2009 in freelander 2, Landrover and Tonka Jr.. Closed Tags: freelander 2, ISO-Fix, Landrover, TD4, Tonka, Tonka Jr..

Lovin’ the shiny newness of it. Well almost new, and mostly covered by road grime having been delivered from Dublin this morning. Must say, I’m quite jealous. But importantly, it does have ISO-Fix points, so I’m sure the pressure will be on to get one. Actually, I think a Range Rover Sport would be more appropriate. Well, I have to go one better now, don’t I?