Friday 31 December 2010
Definition of a happy grumpy
Someone who finds that Grumpy New Year is being repeated on the Comedy Channel earlier than on the BBC!
Thursday 30 December 2010
Blogging dementia
I included a Facebook page and a Twitter feed on the www.parishwalk.com website and whilst trying to keep the content on these up to date, plus two blogs and three websites, I'm loosing touch with what I am posting where!
My main focus this week however has been the feature on John Cannell on the Parish Walk site. I have wanted to do this one for a long time but his career has been so long that there was so much to cover - I am feel I have still left so much blank.
But I needed some time with the family and of course a few indulgences of my own.
I'm planning full coverage of the Supercards St Johns fell race and was thinking of moving away from the river for a change this year. Then Nigel Armstrong told me that he had been through it and just how tough it is going to be and my sadistic side told me I have to be there for the fallers!
My main focus this week however has been the feature on John Cannell on the Parish Walk site. I have wanted to do this one for a long time but his career has been so long that there was so much to cover - I am feel I have still left so much blank.
But I needed some time with the family and of course a few indulgences of my own.
I'm planning full coverage of the Supercards St Johns fell race and was thinking of moving away from the river for a change this year. Then Nigel Armstrong told me that he had been through it and just how tough it is going to be and my sadistic side told me I have to be there for the fallers!
Saturday 25 December 2010
Can't type at 70
I was off work yesterday and spent much of the morning working on a Parish Walk feature (not yet finished) and then went into town to meet Marie, who was finishing at lunchtime.
We met Brian and Judy King in Spill the Beans. I couldn't believe that Brian is approaching 71. I always given the former St Ninians deputy head teacher for encouraging me to go the English Schools Championships and I repeated these thanks.
I had forgotten that he had also attended a "Typing for Beginners" course at Isle of Man College. When I first Marie she was studying for the teaching qualification required for evening classes and taught shorthand, and other secretarial skills. I'm sure it wasn't fault but whereas I went on to do better things after Brian helped me he told Marie "I still can't type you know!".
We met Brian and Judy King in Spill the Beans. I couldn't believe that Brian is approaching 71. I always given the former St Ninians deputy head teacher for encouraging me to go the English Schools Championships and I repeated these thanks.
I had forgotten that he had also attended a "Typing for Beginners" course at Isle of Man College. When I first Marie she was studying for the teaching qualification required for evening classes and taught shorthand, and other secretarial skills. I'm sure it wasn't fault but whereas I went on to do better things after Brian helped me he told Marie "I still can't type you know!".
A little Christmas cheer
We've not really been celebrating Christmas in our household this year.
Only three people have shared our Christmas table with us in recent years and we weren't expecting any of them to be with us today.
(Younger son) Ben is spending Christmas and New Year in France with his girlfriend, although he came home for a couple of nights two weeks ago. A call via Skype was a welcome start to our day.
My 86 year old mother in law is very immobile, although she enjoys watching some of the summer races from the car parks (multi lap races are good for that). She didn't want to go out in the cold today although we were able to visit her.
(Elder son) Robbie has been getting specialist help outside of home for the past 7 weeks but we were able to have him home for a few hours today, although Christmas dinner was a bit unconventional. Robbie is planning to run in the relay although you might miss - his weight has fallen from 11 1/2 stone to under 10.
Like everyone else, I am fed up with bugs, ice and an expanding waistline but at least I have finished the day happier than I expected. The Royle family always helps!
Only three people have shared our Christmas table with us in recent years and we weren't expecting any of them to be with us today.
(Younger son) Ben is spending Christmas and New Year in France with his girlfriend, although he came home for a couple of nights two weeks ago. A call via Skype was a welcome start to our day.
My 86 year old mother in law is very immobile, although she enjoys watching some of the summer races from the car parks (multi lap races are good for that). She didn't want to go out in the cold today although we were able to visit her.
(Elder son) Robbie has been getting specialist help outside of home for the past 7 weeks but we were able to have him home for a few hours today, although Christmas dinner was a bit unconventional. Robbie is planning to run in the relay although you might miss - his weight has fallen from 11 1/2 stone to under 10.
Like everyone else, I am fed up with bugs, ice and an expanding waistline but at least I have finished the day happier than I expected. The Royle family always helps!
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Snow photos
Thanks to Hilary for her comments on the forum about my snow photos.
I think I have almost exhausted my archive files of snow photos and with the increasing severity of the winter it gets harder to say "its not as bad as when I was young".
I can never remember as much snow in Douglas. I remember it being bad in Kirk Michael when people didn't believe what it was like between Kirk Michael and Ballacraine as there would be sleet in Douglas. But this is different.
And the 1963 snow that lay on the ground for so long "across the water" looks so trivial, especially when the 6 year old can brave it in shorts!
I think I have almost exhausted my archive files of snow photos and with the increasing severity of the winter it gets harder to say "its not as bad as when I was young".
I can never remember as much snow in Douglas. I remember it being bad in Kirk Michael when people didn't believe what it was like between Kirk Michael and Ballacraine as there would be sleet in Douglas. But this is different.
And the 1963 snow that lay on the ground for so long "across the water" looks so trivial, especially when the 6 year old can brave it in shorts!
Monday 20 December 2010
My very own double decker bus
I got the bus to and from work today and on my return journey from Ballasalla to Douglas found myself with only one other passenger. And she didn't travel as far as me so I had a bus as a taxi until I got off in Groves Road.
My car is still frozen up and, as I was under the weather in more ways than one yesterday, wasn't in a position to do anything about it.
So walking to and from the bus and walking and jogging to another visit that I normally do by car has taken some of the time from my day that I might have spent on the website. I've also "caught up" at last by email to one of my old friends that I have had a number of unanswered emails to for most of this year.
I have a number of small things that I want to do on this site this week but I have been ignoring the other (Parish Walk) website for the past couple of weeks and plan to get back to that soon.
I'm putting aside some time on Christmas Eve to interview one of the event's greats for the featured athlete page - I'm planning to publish it on 28 December.
My car is still frozen up and, as I was under the weather in more ways than one yesterday, wasn't in a position to do anything about it.
So walking to and from the bus and walking and jogging to another visit that I normally do by car has taken some of the time from my day that I might have spent on the website. I've also "caught up" at last by email to one of my old friends that I have had a number of unanswered emails to for most of this year.
I have a number of small things that I want to do on this site this week but I have been ignoring the other (Parish Walk) website for the past couple of weeks and plan to get back to that soon.
I'm putting aside some time on Christmas Eve to interview one of the event's greats for the featured athlete page - I'm planning to publish it on 28 December.
More snow photos
I've published some of my photos from my saturday afternoon walk if anyone is interested:
http://manxviews.fotopic.net/c1925521.html
http://manxviews.fotopic.net/c1925521.html
Sunday 19 December 2010
Not doing anymore
I'm afraid that I am out of energy again after doing a bit of work and some emails.
By the way, I don't mind helping people who lose their password for the forum (even though it usually takes a while to sort them out) and I have just done three.
Where I have a very low priority is for people who try and register on the forum without using their real name and then wonder why they have not been approved. Every day I receive via email several applications to join the forum but most of them are from China with user names such as "fghdi123". I have a simple rule that if the user name is not a real one (and I have a chance to verify it from the email address) I don't approve it.
The forum in the current form has been running for 18 months of my 3 year subscription and I made it very clear in the introduction that people have to use their real names and even with the old forum that was the intention.
I will not run a Manxforums type of system that allows people to hide behind names that cannot be recognised whilst writing libelous rubbish.
I will eventually reply to all my emails (I always do) but I have about 30 of these follow up emails and so I need to batch my reply.
Going back to the use of your real name, if you do not want people to know that you are using the forum then there is very little disclosure other than appearing in the "latest member" field. So if you only want to use the forum as a reader then you have nothing to worry about. But I am assuming that everyone will contribute and therefore I will continue to set my own rules for the privilege of picking up the tab and being responsible for what is published.
By the way, I don't mind helping people who lose their password for the forum (even though it usually takes a while to sort them out) and I have just done three.
Where I have a very low priority is for people who try and register on the forum without using their real name and then wonder why they have not been approved. Every day I receive via email several applications to join the forum but most of them are from China with user names such as "fghdi123". I have a simple rule that if the user name is not a real one (and I have a chance to verify it from the email address) I don't approve it.
The forum in the current form has been running for 18 months of my 3 year subscription and I made it very clear in the introduction that people have to use their real names and even with the old forum that was the intention.
I will not run a Manxforums type of system that allows people to hide behind names that cannot be recognised whilst writing libelous rubbish.
I will eventually reply to all my emails (I always do) but I have about 30 of these follow up emails and so I need to batch my reply.
Going back to the use of your real name, if you do not want people to know that you are using the forum then there is very little disclosure other than appearing in the "latest member" field. So if you only want to use the forum as a reader then you have nothing to worry about. But I am assuming that everyone will contribute and therefore I will continue to set my own rules for the privilege of picking up the tab and being responsible for what is published.
Getting back to normal
Against my better judgment I left work early on Friday when everyone started to panic about the roads and only succeeded in contributing to blocking the roads and prevents the gritters getting through. It took me an hour and half to get home to Douglas from Ballasalla but at least I got to within about 30 yards of our house before I parked up.
I really enjoyed walking in the snow between about 8 and 10 yesterday morning and you may have seen the photos I took. But I had to go out again in the afternoon and after another hour or more of walking I was beginning to struggle. We were entertaining last night (one of our friends managed to drive all the way from Southampton to catch the overnight ferry from Heysham whilst we were struggling to get a few miles!) but I couldn't believe it when I felt completely washed out again this morning, the fourth time in about two months that I have been ill. I've only managed to get to the shop in our street today.
I still have some work to do for my employers (what I was working on before I left on Friday) before I get too deep into the website or the 280 emails that have built up again but I have taken the first steps towards doing something by tidying up the front page.
I really enjoyed walking in the snow between about 8 and 10 yesterday morning and you may have seen the photos I took. But I had to go out again in the afternoon and after another hour or more of walking I was beginning to struggle. We were entertaining last night (one of our friends managed to drive all the way from Southampton to catch the overnight ferry from Heysham whilst we were struggling to get a few miles!) but I couldn't believe it when I felt completely washed out again this morning, the fourth time in about two months that I have been ill. I've only managed to get to the shop in our street today.
I still have some work to do for my employers (what I was working on before I left on Friday) before I get too deep into the website or the 280 emails that have built up again but I have taken the first steps towards doing something by tidying up the front page.
Friday 17 December 2010
A night without my camera
In the company of illustrious people tonight. The camera would have been enlightening; a microphone even more so. But as the husband of the Third Clerk of Tynwald I can't report what people say when there is no Hansard!
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Some first timers in hill league
It took me a while to get to it last night, and there was a bit of a mental block too, but I completed the file with the hill race results for the past 10 years, as you will see from the front page feature. There were a few new names:
Alan Loader
Debbie Loader
Garry Ashe
Nicola Kennaugh
Nigel Maddocks
Tom Hughes
Wayne Hickey
I also have a handwritten report of the hill race series from 1995 to 2006 from Ian Callister which I will transcribe when I get a chance.
Alan Loader
Debbie Loader
Garry Ashe
Nicola Kennaugh
Nigel Maddocks
Tom Hughes
Wayne Hickey
I also have a handwritten report of the hill race series from 1995 to 2006 from Ian Callister which I will transcribe when I get a chance.
Monday 13 December 2010
Back to work
I'm back to work today after a week at home, a week when I managed to do several important jobs but ran out of time to do them all.
I've had an extra computer on my desk for the past couple of days as I was updating the one from our holiday cottage to Windows 7. It made my desk a little overcrowded on Saturday afternoon (above) when I was editing the video from the hill run on my laptop whilst also following the sport on my desktop.
Once again I have a backlog of emails and so I want to try and reply to some of these before I start anything grand on the website.I've taken my eye off the Parish Walk entries too to enjoy some family time at the weekend.
Sunday 12 December 2010
Next door neighbours
Steve Gibbons and PJ Wright, who have probably played on the Isle of Man as many times as any visiting musicians, will be sleeping just a few yards from us tonight. But I wish they weren't.
They were pictured a couple of hours ago at a charity concert at the Villa Marina in aid of Phil "Mo" Maddrell, our next door neighbour, who died in July. The concert was organised by his widow, Judy, and her family in aid of the Manx Stroke Foundation.
Mo was involved in the Manx music scene for many years, often doing the sound for local gigs, and Steve and PJ were among the many musicians who played for free in his memory. Judy has a houseful of guests tonight.
Friday 10 December 2010
Crying time
The first thing I did this morning was to publish a little Parish Walk feature to a) highlight a photo of the late Mark Freeman, b) to draw attention to the feature on Chris Cale on the PW site and c) encourage feedback on my Parish Walk database.
Having incorporated the latest changes I have received, I messed up the Pivot Table that that was producing the second of the reports below. I always struggle to get these to work but the re-built version is slightly different, probably better, but it highlights further inconsistencies. More work! But it will have to wait.
Having incorporated the latest changes I have received, I messed up the Pivot Table that that was producing the second of the reports below. I always struggle to get these to work but the re-built version is slightly different, probably better, but it highlights further inconsistencies. More work! But it will have to wait.
Thursday 9 December 2010
I don't know if Marc Almond did an encore
By the time Marc Almond had finished the "g" of "goodnight" tonight Robbie was out the door and into the Villa Marina to avoid the rush.
I enjoyed the concert more than I expected (Robbie bought a ticket months ago and I had to go with him) and was wondering why the early 80s music had largely passed me by. And then I remembered that I had just started my first full time job (October 1979), I'd bought my first house (June 1980) and averaged a 100 miles of training in 1981.
Tonight had a few challenges for me but it I made up my mind about one or two things that I had been half planning for January. With a lack of training this autumn, I won't be going away two weekends in a row in January like I did this year.
I enjoyed the concert more than I expected (Robbie bought a ticket months ago and I had to go with him) and was wondering why the early 80s music had largely passed me by. And then I remembered that I had just started my first full time job (October 1979), I'd bought my first house (June 1980) and averaged a 100 miles of training in 1981.
Tonight had a few challenges for me but it I made up my mind about one or two things that I had been half planning for January. With a lack of training this autumn, I won't be going away two weekends in a row in January like I did this year.
Hidden under wraps and lost under wraps
The publication of details of the latest Manx website completes three matters that I had been asked to keep under wraps.
I remember meeting Kevin Deakes in the Strand Shopping Centre during the summer when he said that he would like to use his skills to develop a local database similar to the Power of 10 UK website.
When he started work on the project he allowed me access to the dummy site but didn't want to go public until he had developed it further. I was itching to announce it because it adds so much to the local athletics "experience".
I use the word experience somewhat reluctantly because I remember taking the Micky out of a bank that advertised for a Head of Customer Experience. People who visit banks generally just want to deposit or borrow money etc they are not looking for some wonderful experience. But I believe that a sport can positively affect the quality of people's lives and the enjoyment we take from it is increased if we can anticipate and reflect back on events through the use of good websites.
Kevin's websites will allow us to do that. I have already been from Peel to Douglas this morning - but only on Kevin's Google Map!
When I was asked to keep this under covers I had also been asked not to publicise the appointment of Steve Taylor as chief judge at the London Olympics and the end of the Millennium Way Relay. These are all in the public domain now.
In contrast to the above, I have quite a few emails from which I meant to publish the details but never did. I'm going to try and deal with these later today.
The photo is of Kevin Deakes in an 800 metres at Doncaster in 1983.
I remember meeting Kevin Deakes in the Strand Shopping Centre during the summer when he said that he would like to use his skills to develop a local database similar to the Power of 10 UK website.
When he started work on the project he allowed me access to the dummy site but didn't want to go public until he had developed it further. I was itching to announce it because it adds so much to the local athletics "experience".
I use the word experience somewhat reluctantly because I remember taking the Micky out of a bank that advertised for a Head of Customer Experience. People who visit banks generally just want to deposit or borrow money etc they are not looking for some wonderful experience. But I believe that a sport can positively affect the quality of people's lives and the enjoyment we take from it is increased if we can anticipate and reflect back on events through the use of good websites.
Kevin's websites will allow us to do that. I have already been from Peel to Douglas this morning - but only on Kevin's Google Map!
When I was asked to keep this under covers I had also been asked not to publicise the appointment of Steve Taylor as chief judge at the London Olympics and the end of the Millennium Way Relay. These are all in the public domain now.
In contrast to the above, I have quite a few emails from which I meant to publish the details but never did. I'm going to try and deal with these later today.
The photo is of Kevin Deakes in an 800 metres at Doncaster in 1983.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Media studies
As mentioned on the front page, it is a week of anniversaries.
30 years ago, with Allan Callow, I tried to improve the communication within our club by the production of a newsletter which was largely hand delivered.
10 years ago today I launched the manxathletics.com website. I republished the four objectives which hold true after 10 years. I didn't envisage the use of videos, or even photos to the extent used, but I think they have added to the enjoyment aspect mentioned in the second objective.
And we've just had the 50th Peel to Douglas Walk.
Quite a bit has changed since the first of the Peel to Douglas walks. There are 60% more people living on the Isle of Man, there are several times more cars and there are even a few more walkers. But they still walk the same distance (give or take a bit) and they still cover the same roads - only a few corners have been widened in 50 years.
And it is 50 years of Coronation Street this week.
The first episode featured a bicycle tyre being repaired in a living room, a man being told he was becoming a snob and a debate about whether a shop should give credit.
50 years later, although the actors talk slower, during the same time on screen a woman leaves her husband because she was having an affair with his business partner, the man leading a double life whilst covering up a death has an argument and murders his lover, panic spreads through the street when a young child goes missing, a woman about to be married days later is having a liaison with another man, there is a big brawl in a bar, a building goes on fire and a tram crashes off a viaduct.
And people say the pace of life has changed over here!
Corrie was so OTT that it had me in stitches laughing because I was just waiting for the next episode as one by one they all defied death to jump in to the fire. But when I really roared was when a single policeman arrived he said that they had been unable to get there quicker because there was so many other things on including a massive accident on the M62.
You would have thought that with the number of murders, fights etc in that street they would have a rapid response unit.
But at least you never have a problem parking in that street - they only ever seem to let one in at a time!
30 years ago, with Allan Callow, I tried to improve the communication within our club by the production of a newsletter which was largely hand delivered.
10 years ago today I launched the manxathletics.com website. I republished the four objectives which hold true after 10 years. I didn't envisage the use of videos, or even photos to the extent used, but I think they have added to the enjoyment aspect mentioned in the second objective.
And we've just had the 50th Peel to Douglas Walk.
Quite a bit has changed since the first of the Peel to Douglas walks. There are 60% more people living on the Isle of Man, there are several times more cars and there are even a few more walkers. But they still walk the same distance (give or take a bit) and they still cover the same roads - only a few corners have been widened in 50 years.
And it is 50 years of Coronation Street this week.
The first episode featured a bicycle tyre being repaired in a living room, a man being told he was becoming a snob and a debate about whether a shop should give credit.
50 years later, although the actors talk slower, during the same time on screen a woman leaves her husband because she was having an affair with his business partner, the man leading a double life whilst covering up a death has an argument and murders his lover, panic spreads through the street when a young child goes missing, a woman about to be married days later is having a liaison with another man, there is a big brawl in a bar, a building goes on fire and a tram crashes off a viaduct.
And people say the pace of life has changed over here!
Corrie was so OTT that it had me in stitches laughing because I was just waiting for the next episode as one by one they all defied death to jump in to the fire. But when I really roared was when a single policeman arrived he said that they had been unable to get there quicker because there was so many other things on including a massive accident on the M62.
You would have thought that with the number of murders, fights etc in that street they would have a rapid response unit.
But at least you never have a problem parking in that street - they only ever seem to let one in at a time!
FW: Media Release: Tourism Awards 2010 Announced
Congratulations to Michael and Irene George.
From: Byrne, Angela [mailto:Angela.Byrne@gov.im]
Sent: 07 December 2010 16:08
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: FW: Media Release: Tourism Awards 2010 Announced
MEDIA RELEASE
Issue date: 7 December 2010
Tourism Awards Winners 2010 Announced
Isle of Man Tourism’s fifth annual Tourism Awards presentation took place today, Tuesday 7th December 2010, in the Prince Albert Suite at the Empress Hotel, following on from the success of previous years.
The awards recognise the outstanding customer service and dedication provided by individuals and organisations who support the development of tourism on the Island and make a significant commitment to both quality and service. A record breaking 2,300 nominations were received from the visitors and residents who were asked to identify tourism organisations that provided an enjoyable and reliable holiday experience.
The judging panel consisted of Gary Roberts, Deputy Chief Constable - Isle of Man Police, Sue Gee, Managing Director - TLC Business Solutions, Paul Murphy, Training and Business Development Manager – Isle of Man College and Helen Byrne, Director – Isle of Man Newspapers. The criteria used for judging was in line with the tourism strategy and vision for the future of tourism on the Island.
The guest speaker at the event was Gary Roberts who spoke about the importance of the Tourism Awards and how the judges selected the winners from each of the nine categories.
Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, said:
‘These Awards celebrate the Island’s very best tourism businesses and I would like to congratulate each and every one of the nominees and winners in all nine categories. All of the finalists are winners and they should take pride that they are setting the standards for others to follow.
‘I would also like to extend my thanks to the four judges, Gary Roberts, Sue Gee, Paul Murphy and Helen Byrne, each of whom have a wealth of experience within the service, hospitality and training industries and had the difficult task of selecting the winners.’
Department of Economic Development Member with responsibility for Tourism, Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK said:
‘We know that in the current climate many businesses are experiencing difficult times and it is more important than ever to provide recognition for the work going on here in the Isle of Man to welcome the our visitors. These businesses provide first-class products and services and we must not forget how much they assist Isle of Man Tourism to ensure the Island’s economy goes from strength to strength.
‘The Tourism Awards celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals who represent the very best that the Isle of Man has to offer. Many congratulations to all our 2010 winners and finalists.’
The winners chosen in each of the nine categories are as follows:
Best Customer Service
HQ Bar & Restaurant , Douglas – Angela McCluskey, Ian Cain, Chris Tomkins
Best Eating Out Experience
Tapas the Spanish Restaurante, Port Jack, Douglas – Manolo Segovia and Jill Lovrich
Best Accommodation of the Year, Hotel
The Welbeck, Douglas – Michael and Irene George
Best Tourist Accommodation of the Year, Guest Accommodation
Kings Guest House, Douglas – Carol Howard
Best Accommodation of the Year, Self-Catering
Laxey Harbour Chalets – Brian and Barbara Quirk
Best Accommodation of the Year, Campsite/Hostel
Laxey Campsite – Susan Jones and Pete Burgess
Best Attraction of the Year
Nautical Museum – Billy Stowell, Visitor Services Assistant
Best Town or Village
Peel – Commissioners Ray Harmer and Peter Leadley
Best Event of the Year
Easter Festival of Full Length Plays – Michael Lees and Aalin Cunningham
Special Award for outstanding contribution to Tourism
This Award went to Billy Stowell, Visitor Services Assistant, The Nautical Museum in Castletown. Billy was recommended for this Award by the judges as they felt he was an integral part of the attraction and without him the museum would not be quite the experience it is now.
Isle of Man Tourism wishes to extend their gratitude to all businesses throughout the Island who have provided excellent customer quality and service to visitors.
Ends
Contact: Angela Byrne, Quality and Service Manager, on 01624 687083
Photo caption: Tourism Awards winners 2010
Anna Hemy
Communications Executive
Isle of Man Tourism
Department of Economic Development
2nd Floor
St Andrew's House
Finch Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 2PX
Telephone: 01624 686733
Fax: 01624 686860
P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish
WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.
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RAAUE: S’preevaadjagh yn çhaghteraght post-l shoh chammah’s coadanyn erbee currit marish as ta shoh coadit ec y leigh. Cha nhegin diu coipal ny cur eh da peiagh erbee elley ny ymmydey yn chooid t’ayn er aght erbee dyn kied leayr veih’n choyrtagh. Mannagh nee shiu yn enmyssagh kiarit jeh’n phost-l shoh, doll-shiu magh eh, my sailliu, as cur-shiu fys da’n choyrtagh cha leah as oddys shiu.
Cha nel kied currit da failleydagh ny jantagh erbee conaant y yannoo rish peiagh ny possan erbee lesh post-l er son Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh erbee jeh Reiltys Ellan Vannin dyn co-niartaghey scruit leayr veih Reireyder y Rheynn ny Boayrd Slattyssagh t’eh bentyn rish.
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Monday 6 December 2010
At home
I've taken a week off work.
I am planning a few things on the website but they are secondary to other things I must do. So I will reward myself with some time on the website if the other tasks go well.
I'm glad I don't have to de-ice the car (or wait for a bus) in this continuing cold weather.
I am planning a few things on the website but they are secondary to other things I must do. So I will reward myself with some time on the website if the other tasks go well.
I'm glad I don't have to de-ice the car (or wait for a bus) in this continuing cold weather.
Sunday 5 December 2010
Half time
In the past and a half I have gone from having the "raw data" to hopefully completing the Peel to Douglas walk database for another year.
A few years ago it would have taken me twice as long, probably typing the results myself, but I extracted the results (compiled by Bridget Kaneen) from the Manx Harriers website (and Paul Jackson sent me a copy of the spreadsheet).
I had the usual fun just getting the formatting converted to the style that suits me but I'm getting better at that.
As always, when you review the results you spot errors that were there in previous years (when you notice that someone's times do not run in sequence) and in some cases that was just caused by a space at the end of the names in one year.
So, the databases are up to date and republished.
And its 7 years since Kevin Walmsley last took part - I was told off this morning for not knowing this off the top my head!
Sean steaming
I didn't use much of the video from the later stages of the Peel to Douglas walk this morning. I realised a long time ago that making the videos long doesn't mean that any more people look at them.
But it gives me a reserve of unused video for special compilations.
Or I can use the video as one-offs. I thought that Sean Hands was impersonating the steam trains that used to run along the track with this one as he hot breathe hit the sub zero temperatures
But it gives me a reserve of unused video for special compilations.
Or I can use the video as one-offs. I thought that Sean Hands was impersonating the steam trains that used to run along the track with this one as he hot breathe hit the sub zero temperatures
Most unfit fit person
I remember when I was training at my hardest (1980 to 1983) and I seem to permanently have a cold or some other virus.
One of my colleagues described me as "the most unfit fit person he had ever known".
In recent years I have been convinced that 75% of colds and minor illnesses are avoidable with a good diet, getting washed and changed quickly after training, getting plenty of sleep, maintaining consistent body warmth etc. Even when I was training hard through 2009 into 2010 I went almost a year with a cold - although it did come just before the London Marathon.
For the past few days I have been struggling again with the third minor illness in just 9 weeks! But all the things I mention above apply. It was just a bad week last week and I didn't take care of myself.
Having got through work last week I spent a lot of yesterday in bed and wasn't sure that I would make it to the walk this morning. Glad I made it though but for selfish reasons I was glad that the cross country was postponed.
One of my colleagues described me as "the most unfit fit person he had ever known".
In recent years I have been convinced that 75% of colds and minor illnesses are avoidable with a good diet, getting washed and changed quickly after training, getting plenty of sleep, maintaining consistent body warmth etc. Even when I was training hard through 2009 into 2010 I went almost a year with a cold - although it did come just before the London Marathon.
For the past few days I have been struggling again with the third minor illness in just 9 weeks! But all the things I mention above apply. It was just a bad week last week and I didn't take care of myself.
Having got through work last week I spent a lot of yesterday in bed and wasn't sure that I would make it to the walk this morning. Glad I made it though but for selfish reasons I was glad that the cross country was postponed.
Thursday 2 December 2010
"I'm just going to check my email"
I said an hour ago...
Thought I would be something on about the Peel to Douglas, calculated that it is the 25th year of sponsorship from Empire Garage and ended up re-working all the old statistics etc to form a front page feature.
As I have always said, when we have too many events on close together, it leaves me with no space to promote the Manx Gas Cross Country which is on the same day.
Thought I would be something on about the Peel to Douglas, calculated that it is the 25th year of sponsorship from Empire Garage and ended up re-working all the old statistics etc to form a front page feature.
As I have always said, when we have too many events on close together, it leaves me with no space to promote the Manx Gas Cross Country which is on the same day.
We have a living room
All my spare time in the past couple of weeks (and a lot that was not spare) has been taken up with the parishwalk.com website for the past couple of weeks. And when I got to the start line (or was it the finish line) with the publication on Tuesday night I started to feel rough again so its just as well that the weather prevents me from training anyway.
I hadn't shaved for the past couple of weeks and that had to be rectified before I was thrown out of the house but at least I managed to get a couple of hours of relaxation last night, albeit I had the laptop in the living room with me and I was refreshing the Parish Walk entry list.
With three events in the next four days they must all be at the mercy of the weather. I'm going to face it now.
I have added a few more fixtures to the "Fixtures at a Glance" table. As always, let me know in good time if you spot any errors.
PS I have loads of emails again - bear with me.
I hadn't shaved for the past couple of weeks and that had to be rectified before I was thrown out of the house but at least I managed to get a couple of hours of relaxation last night, albeit I had the laptop in the living room with me and I was refreshing the Parish Walk entry list.
With three events in the next four days they must all be at the mercy of the weather. I'm going to face it now.
I have added a few more fixtures to the "Fixtures at a Glance" table. As always, let me know in good time if you spot any errors.
PS I have loads of emails again - bear with me.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Arriving a little early
I went to the bus stop opposite the Villa Marina at 7.26 precisely this morning. The timetable displayed in the bus shelter confirmed the website times - number 1 buses were due to arrive at 7.28 and 7.58.
It was 8.00 before a bus did arrive (presumably the first one was early!) and I have not warmed up yet after 34 minutes standing at the bus stop on the promenade.
I hate wasting time too and I could have stayed at home and done some of the things on the Parish Walk website which I have just done now.
Although you can't see them yet, the links are there to SPORTident's server where the entries open in just over 10 hours - but parishwalk.com will arrive a little early.
But you can't miss it after 11.
It was 8.00 before a bus did arrive (presumably the first one was early!) and I have not warmed up yet after 34 minutes standing at the bus stop on the promenade.
I hate wasting time too and I could have stayed at home and done some of the things on the Parish Walk website which I have just done now.
Although you can't see them yet, the links are there to SPORTident's server where the entries open in just over 10 hours - but parishwalk.com will arrive a little early.
But you can't miss it after 11.
Monday 29 November 2010
A good day to use public transport
Sunday 28 November 2010
I didn't expect to be on the PW website tonight
I planned to collect Marie from the airport tonight and had more or less ruled out doing anything on the Parish Walk website after that time (ok, I might have sneaked to the computer here and there).
But sadly she is stranded in Edinburgh after her weekend away and I'm not sure whether she will get the plane back tomorrow or head for Heysham on the train - LateRooms.com came to our rescue tonight.
So it was back to the website and I think the content is growing all the time.
Great news for Kevin Deakes who has the Google Earth map of the course up and running earlier than planned.
There are some unseen videos from last year taken my by brother Mike but published after I had already closed down for my four and half month break from the Parishwalk.com site.
And there is a further analysis of the split times for the past four years by John Shimmin - also compiled just after my curfew.
In just over 48 hours I will publish the site - depending on what time I get back from the Marc Almond concert.
But sadly she is stranded in Edinburgh after her weekend away and I'm not sure whether she will get the plane back tomorrow or head for Heysham on the train - LateRooms.com came to our rescue tonight.
So it was back to the website and I think the content is growing all the time.
Great news for Kevin Deakes who has the Google Earth map of the course up and running earlier than planned.
There are some unseen videos from last year taken my by brother Mike but published after I had already closed down for my four and half month break from the Parishwalk.com site.
And there is a further analysis of the split times for the past four years by John Shimmin - also compiled just after my curfew.
In just over 48 hours I will publish the site - depending on what time I get back from the Marc Almond concert.
Taking shape
I've finally completed the statistics and archive pages of the Parish Walk website.
Less than 60 hours to go until the launch of parishwalk.com
Less than 60 hours to go until the launch of parishwalk.com
Billy no mates
Having been alone in the office for a couple of days (and Monday) because my colleague is away, I am alone in the house this weekend because Mare has gone away to Edinburgh for the weekend to join a couple of her old student mates.
Its somewhat ironic that, given Marie has to put up with my late night website stuff and my early morning runs, that I have not really done either this weekend.
Having spent most of the yesterday in front of a computer I crashed out in front of Match of Day last night. When you think of how many volunteers give up their time for nothing in football, it makes you wonder how much Alan Shearer got paid for his sole comment on one match: "Scott Parker makes a helluva difference to West Ham".
I made more progress with the Parish Walk website but more significantly, my laptop, which is not my main source of computer access but gets used hard on Parish Walk weekend, is now running Windows 7. I bought it three and half years ago with Windows Vista but it was so slow I loaded XP. Its the second computer that I have installed Windows 7 on and it really was easy.
But it was so boring reinstalling so many software programs to give all the means I need for the Parish Walk weekend, and a few leisure ones as well.
There is hardly any change today so I am going to slum it again and try and get some more Parish Walk stuff done.
Saturday 27 November 2010
24 hours on
I don't know what other people are doing but I have decided to avoid the thin covering of icy snow and stay indoors for much of the day.
Friday 26 November 2010
hope we don't get bad weather
A slight covering of snow, well salted roads and there is a traffic jam from Richmond Hill to the Blackboards - and someone driving south at 18 mph!
Not what we expect in November
I had to resort to jogging when I saw this view from our house this morning.
Thursday 25 November 2010
Memory ain't what it used to be
I've just scanned the newspaper report from the very first Millennium Way Relay and, having told someone yesterday that I was the second person to ever complete a leg of this historic event, I realise that I was the third behind the wonderful (then) teenager Stephen Mackie who died so tragically young.
I knew that I had been inferior to Dave Newton but I got my revenge the next year - if my memory has not gone again!
I'm sure that Chris Quine would like it to be known that he was only 5 when he ran in 1979!
I knew that I had been inferior to Dave Newton but I got my revenge the next year - if my memory has not gone again!
I'm sure that Chris Quine would like it to be known that he was only 5 when he ran in 1979!
Facebook shock
First it was Twitter and now Facebook - two of the most inane websites that I never thought I would be using.
Me having an account on Facebook was about as likely as my brother Martin checking his emails more than once a month!
So long as I never sink to watching "I'm a Has Been Get Me Some New Contracts" or "Big Showoff" I might keep some snobbery!
Me having an account on Facebook was about as likely as my brother Martin checking his emails more than once a month!
So long as I never sink to watching "I'm a Has Been Get Me Some New Contracts" or "Big Showoff" I might keep some snobbery!
Interviewer's dream
I've known Steve Taylor since he was about 14 and so I knew that my problem in interviewing him tonight would be to keep it within the 8-10 minute barrier than struggling to get any words out from him!
And he was so easy to interview. If you watch him break into a smile just after half distance though it was where I had to cut it slightly. Although I had emailed Marie to tell her that he would be coming to our house after work she arrived home in the middle and burst into the room.
Some things don't change - the same thing happened with Chris Maddocks about 15 years ago!
And he was so easy to interview. If you watch him break into a smile just after half distance though it was where I had to cut it slightly. Although I had emailed Marie to tell her that he would be coming to our house after work she arrived home in the middle and burst into the room.
Some things don't change - the same thing happened with Chris Maddocks about 15 years ago!
2nd of 3 tight lipped subjects
I've left another session on the Parish Walk website to work on a story that I have not been allowed to go public on for the past couple of weeks.
It will be live in an hour or so.
It will be live in an hour or so.
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Parish Walk media coverage
I set out to update the archives page on the Parish Walk site tonight - this is the old version:
http://www.parishwalk.co.uk/2010Prerace/Archives.htm
Three hours of painstaking searching, copying and pasting links later and I have got nobody near the end of the task.
With three radio stations, isleofman.com, the BBC and Isle of Man Newspapers all publishing stories, photos, audio and video clips the media coverage is yet another demonstration of just how big the Scottish Widows Parish Walk is.
http://www.parishwalk.co.uk/2010Prerace/Archives.htm
Three hours of painstaking searching, copying and pasting links later and I have got nobody near the end of the task.
With three radio stations, isleofman.com, the BBC and Isle of Man Newspapers all publishing stories, photos, audio and video clips the media coverage is yet another demonstration of just how big the Scottish Widows Parish Walk is.
Fixtures again
Yesterday morning I added the fixtures through to almost the end of February.
There is one more event that will be added to the list tomorrow.
Most of my website time was spent on the Parish Walk website yesterday - less than one week to go now.
There is a heavy frost this morning.
There is one more event that will be added to the list tomorrow.
Most of my website time was spent on the Parish Walk website yesterday - less than one week to go now.
There is a heavy frost this morning.
Monday 22 November 2010
Parish Walk films
Quite a productive (but rather boring) night on the website setting up pages and adding links to last year's video. The whole of my Parish Walk video collection is listed below. I'm trying to keep a balance diet during this lot so I have been eating grapes and well as drinking them!
Scottish Widows Parish Walk 2010 |
Parish Walk 50th birthday videos |
Roger Black visit |
Scottish Widows Parish Walk 2010 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2009 |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2009 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 pre-event |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2007 (filming by Marie Lambden) |
Marie did not get notice that she was going to get the camera thrust into her hands! |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk old films |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk - 2004 Robbie Callister by Stuart Watret |
Follow parishwalk.com on Twitter
The first time you can learn about updates to the parishwalk.com site on Twitter by following here:
Not that its very hard just to visit the site or follow the blog - but that is too hard for the modern generation!
How to make money out of EJ
Michael George's blog post is worth a read.
http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/camp-elton-john-to-star-in-isle-of-mans.html
http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/camp-elton-john-to-star-in-isle-of-mans.html
Stats from all directions
Following my "stat attack" on the Hill Race series last week, David Griffiths has sent me some interesting statistics on participation levels from the Manx Gas Cross Country which I shall be publishing this evening.
And I have just seen the results from the Up & Running Winter League Walks - 91 finishers in the 10km. Fantastic. I suspect that is a record.
Final statistic for the morning - 10 days until the next event. What should have been the third round of the Ramsey Bakery Firemans runs (it will be the second round because one was cancelled due to bad weather) is a week on Thursday.
Wouldn't it be nice if during the next couple of days a few more people could come forward to marshal at the Empire Garage Peel to Douglas and remove any uncertainty that it will be held this year at an early stage. The board is filling up well.
And I have just seen the results from the Up & Running Winter League Walks - 91 finishers in the 10km. Fantastic. I suspect that is a record.
Final statistic for the morning - 10 days until the next event. What should have been the third round of the Ramsey Bakery Firemans runs (it will be the second round because one was cancelled due to bad weather) is a week on Thursday.
Wouldn't it be nice if during the next couple of days a few more people could come forward to marshal at the Empire Garage Peel to Douglas and remove any uncertainty that it will be held this year at an early stage. The board is filling up well.
Sunday 21 November 2010
Not a lot of progress
I didn't intend to go to the walks this morning - I've never followed them in Andreas but in any event two events on one day is one too many. When we were talking about fixture congestion the other night the main focus on (as it should be) the athletes but too many fixtures also stretches the officials. I third point, which I made and is all too often overlooked, is the role of the media. For example, John Watterson does a brilliant job reporting our sport (and many others) in the Manx paper but he is always short of space. So it makes a lot of sense to ask him to find space for two of our events on the same day. Not.
So I went for my early morning run and sat down to work on the Parish Walk website. I did a little before I started doing some of my paperwork before I suddenly realised how neglected some of this is if I don't want to start hoarding again. So the PW website will have to wait until later.
I'm about to set off for the cross country with a couple of cameras although my main focus will be on making sure that Robbie handles it ok.
So I went for my early morning run and sat down to work on the Parish Walk website. I did a little before I started doing some of my paperwork before I suddenly realised how neglected some of this is if I don't want to start hoarding again. So the PW website will have to wait until later.
I'm about to set off for the cross country with a couple of cameras although my main focus will be on making sure that Robbie handles it ok.
Saturday 20 November 2010
I've been dreading this bit
Getting ready to publish the Parish Walk website was like riding a bike after falling off - I was dreading it.
Although I am adding quite a few new features this year the basic design will be the same as last year and so I have been able to get the structure in place a lot earlier than last year. I've just spent the last and and a half going flat out and made loads of progress. I'm positive about it again.
Although I am adding quite a few new features this year the basic design will be the same as last year and so I have been able to get the structure in place a lot earlier than last year. I've just spent the last and and a half going flat out and made loads of progress. I'm positive about it again.
I hope that Elton John makes me happy this time
It only took me about 90 seconds to book my tickets for the big Elton John concert at Nobles Park on 16 June when I went to Ticketmaster on Thursday morning. I think the booking fees may have been higher there but I have used the site many times before my credit card details were stored and I knew the site was able to handle much larger volumes than hit it for a one off concert.
I know that there were a lot of disappointed people but at least they were out of their agony within an hour or so not like like manual queuing systems such as Bryan Adams when I queued for three hours and still didn't get any tickets.
The last time I saw Elton John, back in about 1979, the agony lasted about 90 minutes. I went on a special train to Watford and the whole performance left me totally dejected and the train journey back to Stoke seemed to take for ever.
I was in a minority of about 10% of the fans who didn't enjoy the show - the rest of the crowd, and Elton, were incredibly happy.
We had gone to watch Stoke City v Watford in a cup match and Watford beat Stoke - Elton John was bankrolling the club at the time and we had to endure film of him smiling at Stoke's poor defending!
I know that there were a lot of disappointed people but at least they were out of their agony within an hour or so not like like manual queuing systems such as Bryan Adams when I queued for three hours and still didn't get any tickets.
The last time I saw Elton John, back in about 1979, the agony lasted about 90 minutes. I went on a special train to Watford and the whole performance left me totally dejected and the train journey back to Stoke seemed to take for ever.
I was in a minority of about 10% of the fans who didn't enjoy the show - the rest of the crowd, and Elton, were incredibly happy.
We had gone to watch Stoke City v Watford in a cup match and Watford beat Stoke - Elton John was bankrolling the club at the time and we had to endure film of him smiling at Stoke's poor defending!
IOMAA AGM
You can find the details at IOMAA.info and it the link os now at the top of the front page.
Have just moved the Hill Race feature in an attempt to clear the front page for this weekend.
Two events tomorrow so the links for these are also prominent.
Have just moved the Hill Race feature in an attempt to clear the front page for this weekend.
Two events tomorrow so the links for these are also prominent.
Friday 19 November 2010
A bit of fun
I've just been playing around with one of my favourite websites. Just try this one:
http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html
I remembered after following a newspaper advert through to a company website - I could have sworn that the website was written with this!
http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html
I remembered after following a newspaper advert through to a company website - I could have sworn that the website was written with this!
Thursday 18 November 2010
Not a single event for the multi eventers
Hopefully as a result of the fixtures meeting tonight there will be a multi event meeting at some point next year.
I had to chuckle when I realised that there were multi events for the single eventers but not a single event for the multi eventers!
I had to chuckle when I realised that there were multi events for the single eventers but not a single event for the multi eventers!
Classic case of trying to do too many things at once
There has been a lot going on in the background whilst I have been trying to get some video from the fixtures meeting edited tonight. As a consequence it has taken me ages. Now I think I have saved the file in the wrong format and so it is going to take about an hour to upload to YouTube. I won't be hanging around.
Features page
I've updated the features page:
http://www.manxathletics.com/Features.htm
after I realised last night that I had dropped the link to the archives that I painstakingly built up a couple of weeks ago.
I've just re-published a notice of the fixtures meeting to be held this evening by copying from the iomaa.info website where it has been prominently displayed for several weeks.
Still very windy this morning.
http://www.manxathletics.com/Features.htm
after I realised last night that I had dropped the link to the archives that I painstakingly built up a couple of weeks ago.
I've just re-published a notice of the fixtures meeting to be held this evening by copying from the iomaa.info website where it has been prominently displayed for several weeks.
Still very windy this morning.
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Wow
I've had a two hour meeting with Raymond Cox, Parish Walk Race Director, tonight and I am just bursting with enthusiasm for the Parish Walk.
The site goes live two weeks to do and I have just committed to so many things in that time.
And there were so many things I was going to do in the five month "break" whilst not publishing that other site that I have not done.
But there were things that I didn't intend to do. I've really enjoyed compiling the stats on the Hill League series but I have put it to bed now after toasting Simon Skillicorn.
I started the exercise trying to find out how many races he had won and it just developed.
There are lots of good athletes that we take for granted at whatever level they reach. Simon is one of those that has been a fixture during the past 10 years - a very secure fixture.
No matter how many features I compile on the manxathletics.com site there is always someone who feels they don't get the recognition they deserve but hopefully the spotlight will continue to fall on lots of people - just not all at once.
The site goes live two weeks to do and I have just committed to so many things in that time.
And there were so many things I was going to do in the five month "break" whilst not publishing that other site that I have not done.
But there were things that I didn't intend to do. I've really enjoyed compiling the stats on the Hill League series but I have put it to bed now after toasting Simon Skillicorn.
I started the exercise trying to find out how many races he had won and it just developed.
There are lots of good athletes that we take for granted at whatever level they reach. Simon is one of those that has been a fixture during the past 10 years - a very secure fixture.
No matter how many features I compile on the manxathletics.com site there is always someone who feels they don't get the recognition they deserve but hopefully the spotlight will continue to fall on lots of people - just not all at once.
10 years of results now
I've just input 2006 race 3 and all three races from 2001.
This is a gem - final race from 2001. International cross country runner Keith Gerrard finished 7th and professional cyclist Peter Kennaugh was 27th.
This is a gem - final race from 2001. International cross country runner Keith Gerrard finished 7th and professional cyclist Peter Kennaugh was 27th.
Database to get bigger
Alan Franklin has just sent me the missing the result from 2006 and I have found all three races from 2001 so I will be adding more later.
Problem creating PDF
I was going to publish my full list of data from the hill running league but I am having problems creating a pdf file. I'll try from work at lunchtime.
As usual with these things there will be a few typos and I have just discovered a couple which prevented some of the names being associated with the correct spelling. As a result of the corrections Rose Hooton has just gone up to 19 finishes and Richie Stevenson to 12. When I do publish the list, please let me have an corrections you suggest may be necessary.
As usual with these things there will be a few typos and I have just discovered a couple which prevented some of the names being associated with the correct spelling. As a result of the corrections Rose Hooton has just gone up to 19 finishes and Richie Stevenson to 12. When I do publish the list, please let me have an corrections you suggest may be necessary.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Ann Widdecombe supports the website
I would never have got away with three hours working on the hill running database if Marie had not gone to the Gaiety to see the above tonight.
I've now got all the results bar one since 2002 in the database - the final race in 2006 is the only one missing now.
I'm not sure if I will go back any earlier than 2002.
I've now got all the results bar one since 2002 in the database - the final race in 2006 is the only one missing now.
I'm not sure if I will go back any earlier than 2002.
So much changes in 5 years
I've added a few more names to the Hill Running database (round 1 from 2005) and its amazing how much changes in five years.
Tony Okell was at the front on all surfaces, Gail Musson and Christine Barwell were unmarried, Kevin Loundes had just appeared at 14th but Simon Skillicorn was still winning!
Tony Okell was at the front on all surfaces, Gail Musson and Christine Barwell were unmarried, Kevin Loundes had just appeared at 14th but Simon Skillicorn was still winning!
Christmas?
I went out for my run this morning and headed through Ridgeway Street where I found half of the Douglas Corporation staff erecting the Christmas tree.
Whilst I get bombarded by email adverts telling me I must have and must buy for "the holidays" - the big commercial sellers who are afraid to mention Christmas in case they offend someone, there are all these other people trying to make it the twelve months of Christmas instead of the traditional twelve days of Christmas.
Tuesday 16 NOVEMBER
Whilst I get bombarded by email adverts telling me I must have and must buy for "the holidays" - the big commercial sellers who are afraid to mention Christmas in case they offend someone, there are all these other people trying to make it the twelve months of Christmas instead of the traditional twelve days of Christmas.
Tuesday 16 NOVEMBER
Monday 15 November 2010
Crosby Stills, Nash & Peel Hill
I took a break from inputting times from the 2006 Winter League Hill Races to watch some TV with Marie and we ended up watching Neil Diamond covers from the BBC2 night of Neil Diamond music on Saturday. I saw the Hollies doing one and ended up watching more of their old stuff on YouTube and (as Graham Nash was a founder member) that took me to Crosby Stills & Nash.....and then back to Peel Hill!
I've just input Peel Hill from 2006. Earlier I did Glen Ruy from 2006. Thanks to Tom Cringle for sending me the results from Peel Hill in 2008.
I've now got 13 races in the database (I can't find St Johns 2006) and Simon Skillicorn is the only ever present.
But Peter Coooper is there in 12:
18 Peter Cooper 00:19:07 2006/1 Glen Roy
20 Peter Cooper 00:25:35 2006/2 Peel
21 Peter Cooper 00:20:55 2007/1 Glen Roy
21 Peter Cooper 00:27:04 2007/2 Peel
19 Peter Cooper 00:24:59 2007/3 St Johns
20 Peter Cooper 00:27:44 2008/2 Peel
22 Peter Cooper 00:28:25 2008/3 St Johns
19 Peter Cooper 00:19:14 2009/1 Glen Roy
17 Peter Cooper 00:27:41 2009/2 Peel
25 Peter Cooper 00:26:33 2009/3 St Johns
38 Peter Cooper 00:22:26 2010/1 Cringle
32 Peter Cooper 00:25:19 2010/2 Peel
I've just input Peel Hill from 2006. Earlier I did Glen Ruy from 2006. Thanks to Tom Cringle for sending me the results from Peel Hill in 2008.
I've now got 13 races in the database (I can't find St Johns 2006) and Simon Skillicorn is the only ever present.
But Peter Coooper is there in 12:
18 Peter Cooper 00:19:07 2006/1 Glen Roy
20 Peter Cooper 00:25:35 2006/2 Peel
21 Peter Cooper 00:20:55 2007/1 Glen Roy
21 Peter Cooper 00:27:04 2007/2 Peel
19 Peter Cooper 00:24:59 2007/3 St Johns
20 Peter Cooper 00:27:44 2008/2 Peel
22 Peter Cooper 00:28:25 2008/3 St Johns
19 Peter Cooper 00:19:14 2009/1 Glen Roy
17 Peter Cooper 00:27:41 2009/2 Peel
25 Peter Cooper 00:26:33 2009/3 St Johns
38 Peter Cooper 00:22:26 2010/1 Cringle
32 Peter Cooper 00:25:19 2010/2 Peel
As usual I did more than planned
Last night I tried to build the results from the Isle of Man Bank Hill Running league into a database so that I could extract Simon Skillicorn's performances - you have probably seen the feature by now.
I had some fun trying to collect the data, particularly getting the times into a standard format, without retyping the data.
I have just input the missing times (round 2 from 2008) and so here is a list of how many times each runner has finished a race since 2007:
Simon Skillicorn - 11 ; Kevin Groom - 11 ; Geoff Hall - 11 ; Lewis Veale - 10 ; Peter Cooper - 10 ; Lorraine Stigant - 10 ; Dave Young - 9 ; David Quine - 9 ; Barry Moore - 9 ; Rachael Franklin - 9 ; Ian Callister - 9 ; Dave Griffin - 9 ; Ian Gale - 9 ; Alan Pilling - 8 ; Tom Cringle - 8 ; Tom Williams - 8 ; Brian Osborne - 7 ; Alan Sandford - 7 ; Peter Bradley - 7 ; Julie Cretney - 6 ; Rose Hooton - 6 ; Les Brown - 6 ; Paul Jackson - 5 ; John Wright - 5 ; Rosy Craine - 5 ; Gianni Epifani - 5 ; Christine O Shea - 5 ; Alison Corlett - 5 ; Roger Moughtin - 5 ; Jan Gledhill - 5 ; Jim Reid - 5 ; Mike Quine - 5 ; Sarah Hewson - 4 ; Rob Gillanders - 4 ; Phil Cain - 4 ; Christine Barwell - 4 ; Andy Watson - 4 ; Andy Gosland - 4 ; Stephen Kennaugh - 4 ; Eric Lee - 4 ; Richard Sille - 4 ; Neville Jewell - 4 ; Jordon Lee - 4 ; Anthony Bell-Scott - 4 ; Bridget Kaneen - 4 ; Jason Moore - 4 ; Shaun Moore - 4 ; Paul Lewthwaite - 4 ; Cal Partington - 4 ; Dave Collister - 4 ; Niall McGarrigle - 4 ; Ann Cain - 3 ; Lloyd Taggart - 3 ; Paul Sheard - 3 ; Dave Gelling - 3 ; John Crellin - 3 ; Peter O Shea - 3 ; Steve Taggart - 3 ; Mark Preston - 3 ; Jackie Lee - 3 ; Andy Gosnell - 3 ; Paul Cawley - 3 ; Michael George - 3 ; Simon Cox - 3 ; Richie Stevenson - 3 ; Aaron Livsey - 3 ; Mike Gellion - 3 ; Eleanor Gawne - 3 ; Rob Sellors - 3 ; Lynne Quine - 3 ; Tony Varley - 3 ; Lucy Veale - 3 ; John Knight - 2 ; Richard Trubshaw - 2 ; Peter Kaneen - 2 ; Dave Isherwood - 2 ; Alison Clague - 2 ; Lesley Webb - 2 ; Steve Partington - 2 ; Debby Ashe - 2 ; Richard Corlett - 2 ; Debra Smith - 2 ; Rob Webb - 2 ; Mark Harvey - 2 ; Jim Gale - 2 ; Mark Murphy - 2 ; Steve Hull - 2 ; Andy Barron - 2 ; Terence George - 2 ; Fraser Veale - 2 ; Peter OShea - 2 ; Neil Wilson - 2 ; Richard Orton - 2 ; Paul Clarke - 2 ; James Betteridge - 2 ; Caroline Caren - 2 ; Robbie Callister - 2 ; Paul Killey - 2 ; Ryan Gartland - 2 ; Gill Crennell - 2 ; Dave Cain - 2 ; Paul Renshaw - 2 ; Stephen Quirk - 2 ; Glen Weir - 2 ; Steve Kelly - 2 ; Paul Trees - 2 ; John Swindlehurst - 2 ; Godfrey Clayton - 2 ; Thomas Maier - 2 ; Graham Stigant - 2 ; Justiine Bowen - 2 ; Sally Hardy - 1 ; Mark Humphrey - 1 ; Nigel Quaye - 1 ; Paul Sykes - 1 ; Angus Robb - 1 ; Eleanor Chapman - 1 ; Sharen Gardner - 1 ; Andrew Nash - 1 ; Ken Watterson - 1 ; Michael Williams - 1 ; Allan Thomson - 1 ; Keiron Wall - 1 ; Adam Denard - 1 ; Guy Wiltcher - 1 ; Sarah Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Ben Hardy - 1 ; Simon Atherton - 1 ; Aalin Clague - 1 ; George Miller - 1 ; Chris Fargher - 1 ; Lee Tyrer - 1 ; Phil Carr - 1 ; Tom Bateson - 1 ; Polly Rogerson - 1 ; Ben Scott - 1 ; Ian Chambers - 1 ; Nick Percival - 1 ; Rachel Holden - 1 ; Nicola Sherrard - 1 ; Rebecca Wallace - 1 ; Sarah Curphey - 1 ; Mike Venables - 1 ; Nicola Wade - 1 ; Richard George - 1 ; Jim Macgregor - 1 ; Miles Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Daniel Roberts - 1 ; Chris Kirk - 1 ; Olli Heinikoski - 1 ; Bethany Clague - 1 ; David Wilkinson - 1 ; Christian Varley - 1 ; Justine Bowen - 1 ; Jake Nathan - 1 ; Paul Quine - 1 ; Garry Bews - 1 ; Toby Wiltcher - 1 ; Rob Sorby - 1 ; Allan Corran - 1 ; Ali Clague - 1 ; Andrew Lodge - 1 ; Nick Coole - 1 ; John Quine - 1 ; Robbie Lambden - 1 ; Dave Looker - 1 ; James Bishop - 1 ; Peter O'Shea - 1 ;
I had some fun trying to collect the data, particularly getting the times into a standard format, without retyping the data.
I have just input the missing times (round 2 from 2008) and so here is a list of how many times each runner has finished a race since 2007:
Simon Skillicorn - 11 ; Kevin Groom - 11 ; Geoff Hall - 11 ; Lewis Veale - 10 ; Peter Cooper - 10 ; Lorraine Stigant - 10 ; Dave Young - 9 ; David Quine - 9 ; Barry Moore - 9 ; Rachael Franklin - 9 ; Ian Callister - 9 ; Dave Griffin - 9 ; Ian Gale - 9 ; Alan Pilling - 8 ; Tom Cringle - 8 ; Tom Williams - 8 ; Brian Osborne - 7 ; Alan Sandford - 7 ; Peter Bradley - 7 ; Julie Cretney - 6 ; Rose Hooton - 6 ; Les Brown - 6 ; Paul Jackson - 5 ; John Wright - 5 ; Rosy Craine - 5 ; Gianni Epifani - 5 ; Christine O Shea - 5 ; Alison Corlett - 5 ; Roger Moughtin - 5 ; Jan Gledhill - 5 ; Jim Reid - 5 ; Mike Quine - 5 ; Sarah Hewson - 4 ; Rob Gillanders - 4 ; Phil Cain - 4 ; Christine Barwell - 4 ; Andy Watson - 4 ; Andy Gosland - 4 ; Stephen Kennaugh - 4 ; Eric Lee - 4 ; Richard Sille - 4 ; Neville Jewell - 4 ; Jordon Lee - 4 ; Anthony Bell-Scott - 4 ; Bridget Kaneen - 4 ; Jason Moore - 4 ; Shaun Moore - 4 ; Paul Lewthwaite - 4 ; Cal Partington - 4 ; Dave Collister - 4 ; Niall McGarrigle - 4 ; Ann Cain - 3 ; Lloyd Taggart - 3 ; Paul Sheard - 3 ; Dave Gelling - 3 ; John Crellin - 3 ; Peter O Shea - 3 ; Steve Taggart - 3 ; Mark Preston - 3 ; Jackie Lee - 3 ; Andy Gosnell - 3 ; Paul Cawley - 3 ; Michael George - 3 ; Simon Cox - 3 ; Richie Stevenson - 3 ; Aaron Livsey - 3 ; Mike Gellion - 3 ; Eleanor Gawne - 3 ; Rob Sellors - 3 ; Lynne Quine - 3 ; Tony Varley - 3 ; Lucy Veale - 3 ; John Knight - 2 ; Richard Trubshaw - 2 ; Peter Kaneen - 2 ; Dave Isherwood - 2 ; Alison Clague - 2 ; Lesley Webb - 2 ; Steve Partington - 2 ; Debby Ashe - 2 ; Richard Corlett - 2 ; Debra Smith - 2 ; Rob Webb - 2 ; Mark Harvey - 2 ; Jim Gale - 2 ; Mark Murphy - 2 ; Steve Hull - 2 ; Andy Barron - 2 ; Terence George - 2 ; Fraser Veale - 2 ; Peter OShea - 2 ; Neil Wilson - 2 ; Richard Orton - 2 ; Paul Clarke - 2 ; James Betteridge - 2 ; Caroline Caren - 2 ; Robbie Callister - 2 ; Paul Killey - 2 ; Ryan Gartland - 2 ; Gill Crennell - 2 ; Dave Cain - 2 ; Paul Renshaw - 2 ; Stephen Quirk - 2 ; Glen Weir - 2 ; Steve Kelly - 2 ; Paul Trees - 2 ; John Swindlehurst - 2 ; Godfrey Clayton - 2 ; Thomas Maier - 2 ; Graham Stigant - 2 ; Justiine Bowen - 2 ; Sally Hardy - 1 ; Mark Humphrey - 1 ; Nigel Quaye - 1 ; Paul Sykes - 1 ; Angus Robb - 1 ; Eleanor Chapman - 1 ; Sharen Gardner - 1 ; Andrew Nash - 1 ; Ken Watterson - 1 ; Michael Williams - 1 ; Allan Thomson - 1 ; Keiron Wall - 1 ; Adam Denard - 1 ; Guy Wiltcher - 1 ; Sarah Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Ben Hardy - 1 ; Simon Atherton - 1 ; Aalin Clague - 1 ; George Miller - 1 ; Chris Fargher - 1 ; Lee Tyrer - 1 ; Phil Carr - 1 ; Tom Bateson - 1 ; Polly Rogerson - 1 ; Ben Scott - 1 ; Ian Chambers - 1 ; Nick Percival - 1 ; Rachel Holden - 1 ; Nicola Sherrard - 1 ; Rebecca Wallace - 1 ; Sarah Curphey - 1 ; Mike Venables - 1 ; Nicola Wade - 1 ; Richard George - 1 ; Jim Macgregor - 1 ; Miles Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Daniel Roberts - 1 ; Chris Kirk - 1 ; Olli Heinikoski - 1 ; Bethany Clague - 1 ; David Wilkinson - 1 ; Christian Varley - 1 ; Justine Bowen - 1 ; Jake Nathan - 1 ; Paul Quine - 1 ; Garry Bews - 1 ; Toby Wiltcher - 1 ; Rob Sorby - 1 ; Allan Corran - 1 ; Ali Clague - 1 ; Andrew Lodge - 1 ; Nick Coole - 1 ; John Quine - 1 ; Robbie Lambden - 1 ; Dave Looker - 1 ; James Bishop - 1 ; Peter O'Shea - 1 ;
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