Photography Website

I have finally got round to sorting out some of my various websites and domain names, and I have updated my photography website. I have uploaded a few photos so far, and I will be adding some more soon.

http://www.jimstokesphotography.co.uk/

Photography is something that I have had an interest in for several years, and as I have recently had a few commissions,  I thought it would be a good time to re-launch the website.

Money, Money, Money......

Arghhhh! Everything is going wrong at the moment. Two weeks ago the washing machine broke down and had to be replaced, on Monday the drains blocked and we could not flush the toilet, we have just spent £350 on having a new exhaust and cambelt fitted on our campervan, and now I have managed to get a puncture in an almost new tyre.

To complicate matters, I have a meeting tomorrow starting at 9am, and we are off to north Wales for a long weekend straight after the kids finish school, but somehow we have to find time to get a new tyre fitted (and pay for it!)

If anyone has a few thousand pounds spare, please send it round!

From the Races to the Rugby

Saturday

I went on duty with St John Ambulance at Cheltenham Races this morning, to help with the setup for the afternoons racing. I was there until 1pm, and apart from cleaning the first aid post in preparation for an infection control inspection, we had nothing to do. I did manage to speak with a couple of people I had been trying to arrange meetings with, so it wasn't a completely wasted morning.

I then travelled over to Kingsholm as I was carrying out an official duty visit at Gloucester Rugby. When I arrived I went and met with Ann Marie who was the duty officer, and she showed me the operational plan, and I went through all my questions with her. We then went up to the match control point where I met the stadium manager and security manager, and was reacquainted with the safety officer whom I had met previously. Introductions over, and Ann Marie went through the procedures around where the crews were located, their call signs, and which areas of the stadium were covered by CCTV. We then watched Gloucester thrash Cardiff Blues by 40 points to 3, from the comfort of the control box (which I thought was a much better plan than standing in the freezing cold with the crews at the side of the pitch!)

This was the second time I had visited a Gloucester duty, and as expected, everything was under control and well organised. As there were no incidents to deal with all afternoon, fairly soon after the end of the match we were stood down. I then managed to grab a lift in the ambulance back to Longlevens, so only had a two minute walk home- result!

North Cotswolds, Snow, and a Home Made Curry

What a journey! Just got back from Bourton-on-the-water after visiting the North Cotswold Division of St John Ambulance. When I left Gloucester it was raining slightly, going through Cheltenham it was raining heavily, near Andoversford it was snowing!

I got to the HQ safely, and after a chat with Jemma and Stuart, I had a quick cup of coffee, then decided to make an early departure as I didn't fancy spending the night stuck in Bourton.

Coming back it was even worse, heavy snow all the way from Bourton to Birdlip, so it turned into a long slow journey. I was very glad to get home and have some lovely curry for dinner, home made by Liz.

A Waste of Time, Touchscreen Computers, and Come Wine With Me

Well today got off to a good start, as I actually managed to get quite a bit of work done before my first meeting at 10am. It was downhill from there, as it was a visit from some representatives from a company who were trying to sell us an online careers package. Unfortunately I was not impressed, as it seemed to be just a collection of links to other resources on the internet- the Principal agreed with me, so that was an hour of my day wasted. I seem to spend a lot of my time listening to people trying to sell me stuff these days!

The afternoon was spent doing some work relating to the new build project, (more on this to follow in a post when I have more time) and ordering some fancy new touchscreen computers we will be trying out to help demonstrate our digital media specialism to visitors.

Also today, after much nagging by Jody, I contacted the other five members of our (not very) secret CWWM club. A group of us shamelessly copied the TV series Come Dine With Me, and renamed it Come Wine With Me, where we all take it in turns to host the others to a dinner party. I was selected to be next at the last one, (which was actually in March last year!) so I have now set a date. Now I have a week and a half to plan a menu which does not include meat, fish, egg or mushrooms!

Has it really been two years....

....since I last set foot in my blog? I had almost forgotten I had one until my brother-in-law Rob (of cotswoldgreen blog fame) mentioned that he had updated his.

There have been quite a few changes in my life since my last update, firstly I have changed my job, and I am now the Strategic ICT Manager at the newly formed Gloucester Academy. This means that I no longer repair computers, as all my time is taken up

with meetings and projects. The only down side is that the new academy is not within walking distance of home.

My role at Cotswold Green has changed as well, instead of fuelling the buses, I am now the Compliance Manager (part time). Different challenges, and an enjoyable change from my day job.

I still volunteer with St John Ambulance, but instead of managing the Stroud unit, I am now the Senior Operational Services Officer, and my responsibilities now include line-managing all of the adult units in the county!

We have also bought a camper van! A 28 year old Volkswagen T25 high top called Doris. This is to replace our caravan, and now I have had the additional seatbelts fitted in the back, and installed bunks in the front and in the roof, the whole family (including the dog) can fit in for holidays and weekends away. So far we have had a weekend in the Forest of Dean, and a few overnights in the local area. Pictures will follow as soon as I remember where I saved them!

I am also well on the way with my collection of brother-in-laws! Ange and Rob got married in March last year, then my sister Rebecca married Gareth in October, bringing my total to three! I hope I don't have any more new family members added, or I may have to let one of the three go!

Hopefully now I have remembered how to use the blog I will be back soon with more updates!

Snow

Too much snow recently - Had 5 days of it a couple of weeks ago, and now this morning it is back. I don't mind snow itself, what I dislike is the way that everything grinds to a halt whenever the first few flakes fall. (and the fact that I will get snowballed while I am on lunchtime duty at school!)