I am hoping it will cool off a bit so I can go see Super.

If I can't, I'll give him a call and catch up but I do want him to give me a better idea of what he would like cheeky and me to make him meal wise. It doesn't put us out, and we would rather make things that he would fancy rather than a set menu. I will be making him some jelly, and if I can figure out how to get them to him whilst it's hot a couple of mini trifles.

Still feeling like a crane has been using me to demonlish a building. Been trying to work on coding stuff, which is making good progress. I am very much looking forward to the new season.

PS. Thank you for starting the discussion, Piethagoram. 👏🏻

Stunning pictures of Aachen Cathedral, what a beautiful building @Piethagoram makes you appreciate the hard work and design of such a phenomenal place.

Starting to cool off a little @Chris over the weekend and into next week, I know what you mean regarding the heat, I'm melting at the moment 🫠

For centuries, the Major Oak has stood at the heart of Sherwood Forest, a living bridge between the past and present. This ancient giant, with a canopy stretching nearly 92 feet and a trunk measuring 33 feet around, has always been more than a tree. It has been a landmark, a gathering place, and a keeper of stories.

For around a thousand years, the Major Oak has weathered storms and droughts, wars, and kings and queens. It has endured the rise and fall of kingdoms and the slow, steady reshaping of the English landscape. 

Its story is deeply woven into folklore. Legend says that Robin Hood and his Merry Men once sheltered beneath its vast canopy, finding refuge among its roots and branches. Whether myth or memory, the tale has become inseparable from the tree itself, adding a sense of magic to its astonishing presence - a magic that has carried through generations and will continue to inspire for generations to come. 

Its fame only grew with time. In the 1800s, Major Hayman Rooke, a soldier and antiquarian, wrote about the oak with such admiration that the Major Oak name became etched in history. Since then, visitors from across the world have travelled to stand beneath its great branches, hoping to feel, if only for a moment, part of its extraordinary history. 

Now, as the Major Oak reaches the end of its remarkable life, it marks a profound moment in the story of Sherwood Forest. Though its leaves will no longer flourish the way it once did, the legacy that remains is vibrant. The tales it inspired, the wonder it sparked, and the generations it touched will continue to shape the forest and the people who walk it.  

Long live the Major Oak, in our hearts and minds.

not much to say, work is going well but its not enjoyable with the heatwave. it is nice to walk when the wind is there, but you have to keep out of the direct sun and in shade. why cant we just get warm days that are not extreme and rain that does not feel like you are in singing in the rain.

its never in the middle.

That’s strange I thought I’d started this topic, the heat must be getting to me. Thanks @Piethagoram we are back home now after our 21 day cruise and I wish I was back on the air conditioned ship. Phew what a scorcher.

We’ve fetched Tilly cat from the cattery and the silly girl has been tearing round the garden like a mad thing, now she’s panting like mad, you don’t often see cats pant. We are trying to get her to settle down she’s a long haired cat so has a huge fur coat on so running about is not good. I guess it’s because she’s been cooped up for three weeks.

On Monday, was the last day of the interrail ticket ( 15 travel days within 2 months). Wuppertal, Aachen Brussels London seemed straight forward enough. Arrived Wuppertal station, rail replacement bus service, only to Leverkusen but not to Duesseldorf. Over an hour on the bendy bus to Leverkusen and a train to Aachen was running 30 minutes late, so back on track.

Aachen is such an underrated place, left luggage in automatic luggage lockers at the station (5 euros)...,Anyway, back to the station after 90 mins exploring, train to brussels was 20 minutes late...then was running 1h 20 mins late. Eurostar ticket from Brussels was for a fixed train, non flexible. Anyway, train eventually arrived having been diverted. Then on the journey German Railways decided to turn around their train at Brussels North rather than South station. Frantic dash to find next Brussels South train..and with help of ManInSeat61 website, which showed Eurostar leaving from platforms 1 and 2, made check in with just 5 minutes to spare! Meal on the Eurostar was good, pasta and courgette with some good wine.

Good morning it sounds like you’ve been gadding about a bit lately like me @Piethagoram

Last night was very sticky after being used to sleeping in a nice air conditioned cabin. I woke to go to the toilet in the night and was completely disorientated I thought I was still on the ship. We’ve got lots to do today, we haven’t unpacked our two huge cases yet, it was too hot to bother when we got home. Then there’ll be two lines of washing to put out. Looking forward to the England match later.

Have a great day everyone.

I think I will try to have a walk to my dad and spend a bit of time with him today, it seems breezy and nice enough. I feel a little deflated today, as I have been working on custom jobs and helping (trying) some communities I care about. One doesn't seem to appreciate the amount of effort I have been putting in, and seems to be accepting my help under misleading pretences.

There's only so long you can assume someone is busy, but I am close to declining my offer of help. I have made several custom applications, a plugin and a custom theme with little interaction from the owner.

It's disappointing because I have honestly poured my heart and soul into this, I have been appointed an higher position and have other team members asking me about issues I have no capability to resolve because said person just doesn't communicate with me. They do seem geninuely busy to some extent, but the communication is very poor.

Running and owning a website is a privilege, taking that responsability is something that requres propriority and it must extend to doing the right thing by others even if you are busy. Unfortunately, the security is low and the issues are quite high due to running an out-dated PHP version and I am not prepared to be messed around. People who inherit a successful site for free really should try harder to appreciate what someone else has built.

@Chris if your help isn’t appreciated I would ditch them and concentrate where you ARE appreciated …… here.

I hope you managed a walk with @super_ram its not been too hot and there’s been a nice breeze.

We’ve been concentrating on unpacking, doing a bit of shopping and getting the washing done, the lawn will have to wait until tomorrow as our son and DIL came round for a chat so we dropped everything as we haven’t seen them for three weeks, although we have been sending them blogs of our travels.

I didn't, I listened to Kate and Jake who thought it might still be a bit warm for me but I did go to the shop to pick up Super, some DnB and a bottle of Coke. I will take them round either tomorrow or Monday for sure, he seems to be enjoying the warmer weather and seems to be more himself.

Aside from that, I have just been coding and finishing off apps to add to this awesome place.

PS. I have taken a step back, they'll have to email me if they want to resume because I really don't like the hassle. If they are genuine, their tone should be different, as I laid my thoughts out honestly and well it's not my loss at the end. This type of work could pay me well, and hopefully I can find a way to get back into working without hassle from the government (only issue is if I am sleepy or in pain that I can't be on my laptop).

Morning all, it’s looking like a cooler day today so hopefully I’ll be able to tackle the lawn and a few other jobs in the garden, the pond is looking decidedly low and could do with topping up.

What’s everyone else up to today?

You're brave for coming to Germany in this weather @Piethagoram! What a week it's been. We've had over 40 degrees for two days running, and after about a week and a half of 30 to 35 degrees the flat was already heated up.

You know when you cross the road behind a diesel bus exhaust and the air is unbearably hot? Well it's like that everywhere, all the time. I've spent it running from one air conditioning unit to the next. I even went to a shopping centre yesterday!

Really sad news about the Major Oak @Michael D Pie., I've been there many a time and an still a bit obsessed by it. We've all got memories of that tree. Apparently the plan is to just leave it - it may no longer produce leaves, but it'll still be there longer than any of us.

You are spot on @StarkMallard the tree is to be left for the time being as cuttings and seeds have been salvaged once it looked like the tree was dying. Once a decision has been made, due to safety reasons I think it will have to come down. Such a shame as in my early years, on school visits we used to go inside it and try to kiss the girls 😚🤣 Then alot later in time thugs set fire to the inside and we had to use foam to extinguish said fire, leaving arborists to treat the damage with a special coating. This actually worked so well the tree was back thriving and enjoying life.

Had a lovely weekend down the smoke as I took Mrs P to see her favourite group. We stayed in Canning Town and travelled to the venue by tube train 🚆 The weather was hot and humid on Saturday but cooled down favourably for the evening performance, we were so grateful. Mrs P informed me that we had clocked 15000 steps on our return, phew 😵‍💫 no wonder my legs felt like jelly 😅

Where did we go?

And who did we see??

Answers on a postcard please 🤠

@Michael D Pie. Take that with a pinch of salt...though I prefer Belinda Carlisle😉, in need of summer rain🙃

100% correct @Piethagoram a revisit to the original 17 years ago with the same lineup, or close to it. Belinda Carlisle opening proceedings, followed by The Script and then Take That. What a fantastic show enjoyed by all.