Rusty Classics

Last Sunday I went to Mondello Park to see Classic Car Live, The weather was great and apart from seeing loads of vintage cars parked there was several demonstration laps and races. One of the classic old cars was a 1962 Ford Consul Capri. Also called the Capri Classic my Dad had a similar car. He bought one in 1962 and a secondhand one in 1963. As a car the model wasnt a great success it was too expensive and the similar sized Cortina sold in huge numbers. Anyhow Dad kept the car for years until eventually it was falling to bits with rust and various bits had fallen off. We actually went on many holidays and days out all over ireland including one trip to Sligo when the passenger door lock decided to give up the ghost. Dad not being that good at fixing things stopped in a hardware and bought some clothes line and did a basic repair job. Over the years there was a few other bits modified as they broke. The rear windows were fixed in place as the winders had rusted. The car was painted but the rust came back and eventually the sad day came in 1978 when the car was traded in. The Capri at the show was restored from a complete wreck and must have cost the owner thousands. I spoke to the new owner and he had always wanted one and decided it was the car for him. He drove it around the track and we waved at him as he came around. I dont think i would want one myself but it brought the memories back, Dad insisting on absolute quietness as he attempted to fire the Capri into life. If anyone spoke, you would get blamed for another aborted start. it was as we now say a banger for its latter years but Dad at the time couldnt afford a newer car or had little interest in the car. Heres the restored Capr, I must get out a photo of our Capri, the GT model of course.

Postcard of Monaco 2010

Monaco

Just back from South of France. Stayed in the centre of Nice in the Hotel St. Gotthard. Have stayed there twice before, its mainly for the location being right beside the railway station and the tram line going through the very middle of the City. However its still in need of a bit of TLC and especially some paint and new carpets. Suppose cant complain about the price. On Two of the days we hopped on a Coach to Monaco, the fare is only one Euro and the drive is a trip in itself. Arriving in Monaco the locals were getting ready for the Formula One Grand Prix. Plenty of things to see and loads of luxury cars everywhere. You could hardly afford to live in Monaco with Apartments costing over 1 Million for a Studio flat but you can go there for a day and its quite cheap to get around. A day Bus Pass costs a couple or Euro and the buses bring you around all the best places to visit.

Spring

Its been a long time coming but Spring has arrived along with some showers today. The back garden looks great at the moment.

Mums Choice

Was thinking of going on another short trip abroad. Asked Mum where she most liked going on hols and she choose Nice again.
We were there last year and the previous year as well. For a short break it has all the right ingredients, Warm weather, plenty of places to visit locally, a sea front, cafes and a little bit of French sophistication and class. Its even quite inexpensive to get there and stay there.
I think we have seen most of the local sights but never managed to see any museums, also 2 mountain trips to go on. Just pottering around the coastline on the coach getting on and off, a snack here, a glass of wine in another village. For a few days can pretend to be part of the Jet Set.

Summer 2010

Again this Summer its off to Switzerland for a weeks holiday. Stayed in Zurich last time and going back to Zurich and staying again in an Apartment. Switzerland has a reputation of being a bit expensive but the organised Swiss has a useful website of small Guesthouse and Apartments. Some of the accomodation is in the most beautiful Swiss Chalets. We will be staying in a modern Apartment just a tram ride to the City Centre and Train Station. www.bnb.ch is the useful website if you want to stay in Switzerland and get great value. We havnt decided where to go on day trips and there are so many to choose from anyhow. Have said it before but Switzerland has a fantastic integrated transport network of modern and old trains, buses, trams, cable cars and boats. The best value is getting a weekly Swiss Pass and then you can hop on and off and you can travel the entire country in about 2 hours. The best places to visit are often the tiny little villages and mountain resorts. The travelling is nearly as enjoyable as the final destination.

Tibidabo

This is the Amusment Park in Barcelona. its over 100 years old. It has a great view of Barcelona. And for the transport enthusiast its a delightful way to spend an afternoon. If you are in Barcelona on the right day the park is reached by Bus, then the old fashioned Blue tram, them a Funicular and then the amusements are ll quite old and one ride in particular looks like a very old plane from the 1920's. Even at the park there is another extra viewing point. The church at the top of this hill has a tower and they have installed a lift for an even better view. All these lifts and trams add up. To go on all 4 would cost about 10 euro, well worth it for the transport buff and then its another 20 euro in to the amusements. I imagine in Summer it would be packed full of children and adults having a great day on the rides, eating and drinking. One day I hope to return and go on some of the rides and particularly the blue Tram.

Barcelona

Just back a week from 5 days in Spain. Stayed in a resort, Santa Susanna. This was the first package holiday I've been on in a while. The package included a few Coach trips to Barcelona, Gerona and Montserrat. Also went on the train twice into Barcelona, it was a pleasant trip along the coast and took just over an hour and brought us straight into the centre of Barcelona near Las Ramblas. The tours went O.K. but they were all rushed and we found ourselves home very early and it would have been better to do our own trips by train. Went by coach to Montserrat and here the coach driver and guide told us we had to return home at 3.00 and we were back in the hotel at 4.30. We could have spent a few more hours going down on thr rack railway to the town a few km away.
In Barcelona found another Restaurant with a great view of the City. Its in the very Centre at Place de a Cataluna on the top floor of Cortez de Ingles Department Store. They had 3 Cafes and Restaurants to choose from with fantastic views and reasonable food. Pity there was no open air Cafe.
There was another great viewing place at the Amusment Park up on the hills of Barcelona at Parc d'Atracciones Tibidabo.
We hopped on a bus no. 58 I think which brought us up to where the Blue Tram runs at week ends and in Summer. Unfortunately it was not running so I had to get a bus up to another old Funicular which speeds you up to the park. In Winter the parks amusments are mostly closed but you could get something to eat and take in the great views of the whole of Barcelona below.
(First photo is the rack Railway at Montserrat. Second is one of the Funiculars in the same mountain top, and finally the Roof top Restuarant in the centre of Barcelona. )

Audio Recording II

Audio Recording I

Analogue Age

Anyone using a computer probably still remembers the old vinyl records L.P.s or Singles. My first computer didnt have the power to run music but the later ones allowed you play Compact Discs and even came with a set of crappy speakers so you could listen to music. Then around 2002 or so most computers came with software packages to play and manage your CDs and store them as well. Funny enough I was a late starter as I already had an excellent stereo system and Hi Fi speakers. Before I became a user of computers for playing my music collection others were using small portable 'MP3' players and downloading music from their computer. In 2001 Apple presented their first iPod. At the time even Apple didnt realise the revolution in music this would cause. Not going into the whole story again but you can actually see nearly all the Music shops have gone, Apple themselves still have 'iPod' market wrapped up and everyone uses their computer to play music. Many may still wish they could digitise their own old LP's, Tapes, Minidiscs etc. I have loads of old L.P.s in the Attic and in boxes all over the place. it is possible to record or 'burn' them on CD or directly in to itunes. But it is very time consuming. Basically if an LP is 45 minutes it takes, 45 minutes to play and record. Plus more time to edit, mess about with the music etc. Unless you have time its not really worth it or it has to be music you cant but on CD or you have some sentimental attachment to the recording.
What do you need to record an L.P. on to your computer.
1. Patience. One L.P. may take 3-4 hours if you want to record, clean up and edit tracks.
2. Sturdy Table to store your L.P.s, Turntable and Laptop. Somewhere comfortable and without any distractions.
3. Cables, Either you connect your Record Player through your Hi-Fi Amplifier and then via a Mini-Jack into Laptop, or buy a new USB Turntable.
4. Recording Software, available free on the Internet, or GarageBand comes from on all Apple Computers.
5, More patience and loads more time.

I have a couple of PDF diagrams on how to do the digitising. I was asked to give a demonstration recently and I made a few notes to help those foolish enough to go down this time consuming ordeal.

Barcelona

Looking out at the Snow outside made us wish we were somewhere else. Had a good look around and took the advice of some of my Cousins and for once have booked a package holiday of sorts. Well an organised City break to Barcelona. Will be based just outside at a seaside resort and there are a few day trips and meals thrown in so for once nearly everything will be organised for us. One of the days there is a trip to Gerona, also a trip to Montserrat. Probably go in Barcelona a couple of times.

White New Year

There was no Snow at Christmas but we had a White New Years Eve/Day. Happy New Year.

Budget 2009/10

Everyone in Ireland is waiting to hear what the Government is going to announce in next weeks Budget. Not knowing is the hardest thing. The Irish Govt. has been looking for pay cuts in the public Sector and the unions don't want to give much away. I am not in the Govt. sector directly but my wages are paid for by the state. There has been a suggestion of a 4.5% pay cut to as much as 12.5%, alternatively the big Unions were offering that unpaid leave could be taken to reduce Government expenditure. Not that I want a pay cut but say a 2 weeks leave unpaid would be preferable. Even a month. I could go on a cheap holiday to Europe, bring a tent and live as cheaply as possible. See if you can still go on holidays on say 30 euro a day, have to be somewhere warm and on a campsite. Alternatively if I manage to buy that small cottage down the country, I could spend a whole month doing it up and save a small fortune on labour costs. Probably be better take unpaid leave, get some tax credits and do some manual work on a house. Probably less stressful too.
Another good outcome of the credit crunch in Ireland for me at least is the prices of most houses has collapsed, so I may have lost out on my pension savings been decimated but should at least make it back by having delayed buying a House in 2007. 2007 was the high point for property in Ireland. A cottage I am still looking at was 198,000 euro a year ago, now they are looking for 100,000 and only have an offer of 90,000. Anyone who bought at the height of the boom and borrowed the money are looking at a huge loss if they had to sell. Many did buy hoping to sell later at a profit or to fund their own pension. The Government are doing nothing to help except looking for public service pay cuts.
Hopefully for me 2010 will be House and some more Holidays, despite all the doom and gloom.

London Calling

Off on the short hop over to London in a couple of weeks, Frank is going over to work over there for a couple of weeks so a good excuse to go on a bit of a shopping trip and sightseeing trip. Also my friend Orla is studying in Cambridge and we hope to meet up for a bevvy in the local Pig and Whistle somewhere in the middle. Cant think of anywhere new to see or do but will enjoy going over without any firm plans and see what happens. Probably have to go to Greenwich on the Docklands Light Railway, some more Classic caffs and the Applestore.

Dublin Airport 1960's

Another from the Archives, an ld Postcard from Dublin Airport.

Back to the early 60's

Classic view of Dublins Main Street. Not sure of the year but possibly 1958.

2010

Nothing booked yet for 2010 holidays wise. Used to have a look at the 'special offers on ryanair.com and even Aer Lingus, but no real bargains anymore. Both airlines have jumped on the cheap initial fare then add on loads of charges. Have decided over the last year or so you have to do a weigh up on the fare v convenience and destination and weather. Also while its best to go somewhere different every time its also a bit of a relief knowing in advance the Airport, how to get to your Hotel, somewhere to eat and so on. So for 2010 have planned to do about 4 trips. First trip probably in January or February, so have to go somewhere with good weather so that really means Portugal or Spain, maybe Italy. I'd really like to return to Porto in Portugal but there are no direct flights. Ryanair did fly direct for a time but they couldnt make it profitable. So may decide to go to Lisbon and get the train to Porto. Again for me it means loads of trains and trams to travel on, though I don't bring along my Anorak and pencil. Theres also plenty of places to eat and have snacks especially the Majestic Cafe in Porto. And Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon. In Porto have found a highly recommended Hotel in the very centre of the Main Square, and although you might think I planned it there is a brand new 'Old' Tram route which does a circular route right round to the Majestic Cafe! Brilliant or what.

Later in 2010 another trip is pencilled in to Switzerland, possibly Cologne. Somewhere in France later in the year. Anywhere in France is great, possibly Montpellier or back to Collioure, Beauvais who could choose.

Photos from Porto in 2006, Trams along the Riverfront and the Interior of the Majestic Cafe.

Living the High Life

We visited Monaco while on hols in Nice. Even one of the most expensive destinations is affordable for the regular traveller, just do not expect to stay in any Hotels or bother looking for Apartments to buy. Even cheap Apartments are over one million, a studio may be affordable and the sky is the limit for anything else. We got the Tourist bus up to the top of Monaco where its at least possible for a couple of hours to pretend to be part of the Monaco Jet Set. At the Jardin du Exotique you can get a great view looking down over much of Monaco and the Cafe Brasserie is fairly reasonable for snacks and drinks. We watched the Sun set then decided it was time to go back to Monaco. We had forgotten though about the rush hour traffic. Around six o clock most of the ordinary workers leave their jobs and also Monaco. Most ordinary people cannot afford to live in the Principality and thus at that hour every bus is packed with people going home to France. In fact having an orderly queue for the bus is seemingly non existant. When the Coach arrived at the correct time, Mum was at the top of the queue but the driver decided to stop about 8 metres further along and when he opened the door a mad scramble for the door ensued. One elderly man was knocked down as people pushed and shoved. I decided to wait for the next Coach. The next Coach was almost as Bad, Mum almost got on but the driver made everyone get off as he was full. The next coach was a special one direct to Nice and the Airport and was 5 Euro so only one person got on to an otherwise empty coach. We got on to the next Coach and got home safely.
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Train de Pignes

Hoping not to bore those who don't like Trains or don't have the Anorak. But an essential part of a holiday for me is a trip up the mountains or along a coast by train to another town or City. An essential trip from Nice is up the Mountains on the narrow gauge railway to Digne. Most Sundays the local Steam Enthusiasts run special excursions along part of the route in an old steam train. Arriving at the train station you board the regular train. Unusually there were as many women and children and not just 'trainspotter men' . Arriving at Puget-Théniers our Steam Train awaited along with more people waiting to get on the train and volunteers pushing wagons and assorted people taking photographs, selling souvenirs, having picnics. The French are as enthusiastic as their British counterparts when it comes to steam travel. There were several men covered head to toe in oil and soot and I half expected to see a french version of 'Fred Dibnah' asking 'Did you like that' in french of course.

The trip itself went slowly up to Entreveux which was a beautiful town to stop for a couple of hours and we ate in a little cafe, had another stroll around the town and then another coffee/wine break at a little roadside cafe. All very french, very authentic and again very reasonable compared to rip of Ireland. If you couldn't afford the special steam train trip the regular train is much cheaper and you get off the train and get back on again and thus visit several interesting towns and walks along the route to Digne. You can even get a coach from Nice for one euro which goes up most of the way to Digne.