Erudite man about Corfu Town

In Corfu, if you want to have a tasty (well, sweet - hey! I have a sweet tooth) refreshing drink try a frappé; with one proviso, don't have it made with milk. If you are taken as English they will assume you want ycur drink with an emphasis on dairy content.

Milk turns a pleasant drink into something that cloys the pallet, (written with the standard web proviso 'in my opinion').

So, here is my tribute to the frappé, a drink that has seen me through many an hour on the internet.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Trains in Cornwall

There is some good news, if you are an uber geek, the train due in is a Virgin Train (more on this in a bit).

If you've never encountered the 3 services that run through the county, let me give a brief snapshot.

Wessex Trains - I would say my least favourite train but, when waiting for rail transport to take me home that often is hourly at best, any train is my favourite. The carriages are often tired when it comes to upholstery and cleanliness. There have been times when the they have been short of carriages meaning people stood all through the aisles. Pretty much covering between the edge of Devon and Penzance.

First Great Western - carriages not as tired as Wessex and less often late. In relation to Cornwall, this company runs services between Penzance and London.

Virgin Trains - this service runs the newest fleet of trains, as reflected in the condition of the interiors and, most importantly for geeks, a mains power socket (god bless Richard Branson - for this at least). I looked at my Axim when I realised l'd be at the station for some time and was disappointed to see it only had an hour's charge at best; as I use it to listen to all the podcasts I subscribe to at present this was bad news. My mood lifted, as soon as l realised l had missed my normal evening Wessex train but would get to catch a Virgin.

I write this while sitting on the train, listening to In Our Time from Radio 4 and charging the Axlm at the same time.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

Here l am again

It hadn't happened for a while so I guess it was due, just like cold cards or a bad beat.

Just as I have a 3 days out of 5 transfer to our Penzance office, that saves Cathy 1.25 hours waiting around each day, I managed to miss my train. Cathy is now picking me up 1.75 hours after she would have. Man, if she wasn't so great I'd be in big trouble!

We are realistic about what we can, or want to, do for an evening meal - this late and we'll eat out; nothing fancy, just a jacket potato at our local supermarket. Anything fancier we'll save for evenings where there is more than picking me up late, like the cinema (see earlier post).

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

Details on the photo just previously

It's freezing outside and, as l am feeling something like normal after the bronchitis battle, my thoughts turn to Corfu last year.

I have not posted any pictures for a while so will make an effort to do so for the next few.

First, below, is a view from the side of the Liston towards a place l visit every year. There is a great little bookshop which also sells newspapers, magazines, poslcards and calendars but it's the choice of English books about Greece and the service.

More anon.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Road to the Corfu Town Bookshop

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Will it last?

Over the last month or two I have developed an interest that has gripped me, more than any in the last few years.

I will admit I am some what obsessive-compulsive and, over the years, have gotten heavily involved in a number of hobbies; needless to say none have come to that much, certainly none have made me any money.

Of the two habits I have explored that might pay: I do not have a quality working camera and I did not get past the very basics.

The other potentially paying hobby, Poker. More later.

Composed and sent from a WM5 Dell Axim x51v Pocket PC

A veritable treasure

When opening my wallet yesterday I spent a minute or two fishing through various cards - bank, video club, loyalty cards and others. While doing this I got to thinking about which was most valuable to me.

It didn't take me long to work it out, it was my Library Card.

With the card I have free access to all of the books in the county's libraries plus thousands of audiobooks, cds, videos and dvds, daily newspapers, a range of magazines and online access to a host of newspapers & databases one would normally have to pay for.

In future I'll treat it with much, much more respect.

Composed and sent from a WM5 Dell Axim x51v Pocket PC

test 2

This is sent via a different server without the authentication box ticked.

 

I need blogger to see the email as from the account it recognises while being sent via the account I am logged into.

 

If this doesn't work i could try the post server program I have that can be set up on this laptop.

Bronchitis trials and tribulations

Coming up to week 3 of this debacle - not the right word but I feel so rough and frusltrated at the name time.

For 3 weeks I had to put up with persistent coughing that was due to a virus - according to my doctor. Eventually I had to go back with a rattle in my throat and coughing so hard that I couldn't stand without holding on to something. Lo and behold it was bronchitis and the Doc said it would "get worse before it got better" and I thought 'that's OK how much worse can it get?'

UGH!!! It's not right that I can feel so lousy - I haven't even surfed the web in my spare time. It wasn't so much the cough as the lack of motivation, the depression (and yet the knowing that there are so many more people worse off than me). The little I have managed is thanks to this wireless network, being able to sit on the settee in front of the open fire has been as theraputic as anything I have.

I have turned a corner now - if coughing hard enough to put my back out, is on the mend.

The one thing I could really do with is a stylus in the form of a fountain pen. I've not heard of such a thing but it would make it so much more enjoyable.

Composed and sent from a WM5 Pocket PC

laptop test post

This is a test to see if I can send an email my blogger account recognises while using a different server.

I got those bronchitis blues

Coming up to week 3 of this debacle - not the right word but I feel so rough and frusltrated at the name time.

For 3 weeks I had to put up with persistent coughing that was due to a virus - according to my doctor. Eventually I had to go back with a rattle in my throat and coughing so hard that I couldn't stand without holding on to something. Lo and behold it was bronchitis and the Doc said it would "get worse before it got better" and I thought 'that's OK how much worse can it get?'

UGH!!! It's not right that I can feel so lousy - I haven't even surfed the web in my spare time. It wasn't so much the cough as the lack of motivation, the depression (and yet the knowing that there are so many more people worse off than me). The little I have managed is thanks to this wireless network, being able to sit on the settee in front of the open fire has been as theraputic as anything I have.

I have turned a corner now - if coughing hard enough to put my back out, is on the mend.

The one thing I could really do with is a stylus in the form of a fountain pen. I've not heard of such a thing but it would make it so much more enjoyable.

Composed and sent from a WM5 Pocket PC

Composed and sent from a Pocket PC

Newquay Airport

Here I am waiting for the call through for my flight - up to London for a meeting tomorrow then back down tomorrow night.

Going up is no problem. An extra hour at work then a couple of hours spare before we fly. Not a lot to do at what is probably one the most provincial airports in the UK. Having the airport is so wonderful I can't express it, (from this you can tell I am very pro flying and do not live under the flight path!). By the bounty of the lowcost airline l am able to take a 1 hour flight, instead of a 5 hour train ride, to the capital for under $50.

Coming back is a pain, my meeting runs until 5.30pm, so I only have 90 minutes to get from North London to the airport - a very small window with no margin for error! Still, miss that flight and it's a day in London tomorrow before a flight home in the evening. I'd rather be home, given the choice.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Thoughts on the year

So here we come to the end of 2005.

It has been a mixed year, sadder in the second part but on the whole a good one.

We managed to have a long holiday with our friends in Corfu which was a blessing and for which we realise how fortunate we are.

We saw the New Year in with best friends, which I feel is the best one could wish for - we don't see them enough as it is.

Just popped outside and it is one of those still, quiet starrynights that makes me want to stand there staring up.

I am writing this using PhatWare's Calligrapher programme. Things were moving slowly until I realised that well worn phrase RTFM applied to me. I am well impressed.

Regards

Phil Ferris

Composed and sent from a WM5 Pocket PC

Day 1 Year 2006

Just a quick note to mark the first day of a new start for my mobile blog.

I am writing this courtesy of www.phatware.com and their generous New Year offer. Go there and see for yourself before Midnight EST on 3rd January 2006.

Happy New Year!

Phil Ferris

Composed and sent from a WM5 Pocket PC

End of year post

I can hardly believe that it has been so long since I last posted.

To really enjoy posting on a mobile blog the method of entry has to be comfortable - my P910i is very comfy, but I have been getting to grips with data entry on my new Dell x51v.

Great news! I can now write on the screen as smoothly as on the P910i.

Now to slnd this via the phone account.

Regards :

Phil Ferris

Composed and sent from a WM5 Pocket PC

Mobile Tech reference to a new USB battery

The guys at Mobile Tech Roundup) Kevin C. Tofel, James Kendrick (jkOnTheRun), and David Ciccone (Mobility Today) have mentioned the imminent USB battery from Battery Geek. So fingers crossed for it being available soon.

To be fair, I did exchange emails with Sean from Batterygeek about a suitable battery for my Dell Axim x51v. I couldn't see an exact match with the connectors they have, so this USB socketed, coupled with an Axim USB charging lead, will give me access to much longer battery life.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Old Cornwall Society

My first evening at the Old Cornwall Society.

I wasn't sure whether to come but I had some great conversations about local history with Uncle Lionel, tonight is my tribute to him.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Long time no write

Cathy at the Achilleon Palace, Corfu, Greece.

October has been a difficult month. Cathy came back with an ear infection that turned into a bronchitis and has been unwell for over 3 weeks, my dear Uncle passed away yesterday and it feels like there's a hole in the world.

He was such an interesting person, with so many tales l have not heard and will not hear now. I never had a conversation in which l didn't end on a smile. It hasn't really hit me yet, it will over the weekend l don't doubt.

I'll post some photos another time with a farming theme.

Handcrafted on a Sony Ericsson P910i

My mobile blog - lowjib7.blogspot.com

Post after 2pm

Crikey! I thought we were hard done by getting post around 10am on the one day I am there to see it as soon as it arrives.

I'm sitting in a best friend's car at 2.40pm on a Saturday and there are people less than half a mile from me only now getting their post!

Just posting this from a silent auction being run by best friends for our local Methodist Chapel. Cathy couldn't come because of a chest infection, so l have bid on a surprise to cheer her up.

It's October now and temperatures have halved compared to our time in Corfu. My challenge now is how to tell Cathy that I have successfully bld on a half an hour trip on a jet ski for her...

Departure Blues

[I had intended for this to be posted while sitting in departures but this was rather optimistic. Read on.]

We are sitting, waiting for our check-in to open.

I feel numb at th. moment - must be the length of time we were out. This will no doubt change when I get in to work.

As I write this we are in the departure lounge. Checkin became intense after the 2 hours to flight time. Not a seat to spare at t

The way Corfu airport works you have to que for the x-ray scanners that are in the departure hall. As the airport is relatively small there is not enough room for everyone to wait inside as well as que.

Through checkin - missed out on the front by 30 people or so but that's no great shakes. I got pulled for a bag check, but l expected this because of all the power and connector leads l had, (for the computer, 2 phones, music player hard disk and minidisc, etc).

Had an aisle seat this time and it was really nice to be able to stretch my legs when l wanted. I think l'd opt for this in the future rather than a window seat.

Landed safely. I could have written on the plane but didn't want to be hassled with explaining Flight Mode.

Still, plenty of Podcasts to keep me company - l'll talk about these in another posting.