Busy yesterday - up at the wonderful Alexandra Palace . . .

As most people will know, I make a Youtube channel called Shipping TV - but last year I started another, called Trucking TV. It gave me quite a lot of problems, so I quit for a while. But I've been encouraged to return to it, so here's a clip from yesterday - I drove up to Alexandra Palace, in north London, to film at the Freight in the City expo there. But what a great venue!

Old Geezer's Diary 6 November 2017: Why isn't the UK run like Denmark?

Today's blog - I'm off to London tomorrow . . and oh, yes -Why don't we run the UK like Denmark, for the benefit of the citizens?

Old Geezer's Diary, 5 November 2017

A Sunday update from Chris on the Old Geezer's Diary . . 5th November 2017:

Interest rates - can someone explain to me?

Today the Bank of England decided to increase the base interest rate to 0.5% - but can someone explain how the work out the figures . . . .

New vlog, 31 October

2017 Chat from the seaside:

Saturday special - Bob the dog!

With all the stuff that's been going on, I haven't been out with Bob the dog for ages - he's such a good boy - and he's 5 years old now!

Old Geezer's Diary, 27 Oct 2017: Every town needs a charity like this:

I know a very nice chap who runs a genuinely local charity in our home town, and when he was kind enough to put by some books for me, I decided to interview him. This is the kind of local charity i think every town could do with:

Old Geezer's Diary, 26 October; not-so-sunny Medway:

We're down in rainy Kent today, visiting our friend Caz, who is spending a few days in a nursing home while her husband Rob is visiting his old Dad, who lives in Lincolnshire.

Old Geezer's Diary: First day of new diet, 25 oct 2017

New video: Oh, my goodness - the first fasting day of the new 5:2 diet we're going on . . not too bad, wonder how we'll get on! 25th October 2017

Old geezer's Diary, 24 Oct 2017 - fast-changing plans!

Oh, my goodness, don't plans change in a hurry! We off visiting a friend in Kent, and Dot and I are going on a diet . . . so watch this somewhat slimmer space! 24th October 2017

Old Geezer's Diary 23 Oct 2017: coming up this week:

Coming up this coming week on the Old Geezer's Diary and Retired People's Club:

Old Geezer's Diary special - a ride on Reedham Ferry, 19 October 2017

Special blog - while we were up in the wilds of Norfolk, we took a ride on the Reedham Ferry - fascinating!

Short Break at Pontin's Pakefield - time to sum up our break, 20 October 2017

It's time to depart from our short break at Pontins Pakefield, so I can sum up this experience:

Short Break at Pontin's Pakefield - Day trip Norwich, 19 Oct 2017

I'm a big fan of Norwich - its an excellent place for a day out.



There'll be more video from today online soon, including something about the Reedham ferry - don;t miss it

Off to the wilds of North Norfolk . .

Video diet - yes, there's no video today . . . Instead I've driven around 160 miles up to Holt near the North Norfolk coast and back, for one of our fairly rare visit to a relative of Dot's.

She's someone I've only met a few times, but always been impressed by. Her late husband was a scientist, and only passed away a few years ago - she still misses him a lot, and he often comes up in conversation.
 

We went out to a not-to-distant pub for some lunch, The Blue Bell, Langham, just near Holt.

Thanks to a fairly heavy-duty brekkie at Pontin's this morning, we weren't too hungry, so I decided to have a bowl of soup - beautiful, creamy caramelised onion in this instance, delivered with some very fresh bread and butter. I also had a lovely pint of Moon Gazer Ale, brewed by the Norfolk Brewhouse - I'll be looking out for this breweries products in the future.

It was a long round trip drive, but the visit was really worthwhile. At our age, it's good to keep in touch with the people we can about.

Short Break at Pontin's Pakefield - pt 2, more about the break, 17 Oct 2017

More about this amazingly low-cost break at Pontin's holiday park, at Pakefield, just south of Lowestoft, Suffolk:

Short break at Pontins, Pakefield - chalet tour, 16 Oct 2017

We've got another short break at Pontins, Pakefield, and this is a look at our slightly larger chalet - a bit more roomy than the last time we visited, at the start of July this year:

Old Geezer's Diary - ou with Bob the Dog, 13 Oct 2017

A stroll with Bob the Dog, and a game of hide-n-seek, which he always wins, of course!

Old Geezer's Diary, 11 October 2017 - Yes, I'm still here, mother . .

You may have thought I faded away, but no . . .

8 October 2017: How lucky local sailors are!

Filming at Calais for Shipping TV last week, I recorded some footage of this yacht being held for ferry traffic to clear. They had to go for a 40-minute extra sail, but they looked fine and no-one was looking sea-sick! A least local yachties on the UK's East Coast can come and go as they please, as long as they are well clear of the big ships!

Video Review - F1 budget hotel, Calais, October 2017

A tidied-up version of the look around my F1 hotel room in Calais - an amazing package including breakfast for around £30 . .

Old Geezer's Diary, 2 October 2017 - - a little overnighter in France.

In my little cheap hotel room in Calais - it's a Formula1, and its okay with me :-)

Old Geezer's Diary, 1 October - jaunt to France

Prepping for a short filming trip:

Booking dot com or Booking dot crooks? 28 Sept 2017

Two companies I won't be dealing with again - booking,com or Kyriad Hotels!! If you're an older person like me, who has been known to make mistakes online, you might be best to avoid them, too! Help me make more movies by becoming a patron for just $1 a month! https://www.patreon.com/ChrisGosling

Walk with Bob the dog: 26 Sept 2017

Time for Bob the dog to have a race around, and for me to have an amble . . . Help me make more movies by becoming a patron for just $1 a month! https://www.patreon.com/ChrisGosling

Its Monday again - so here's the vlog again! 25 September 2017.

Down on the Felixstowe Dock viewpoint for a natter and a ship-filming session today:

At the boot sale - part 2, 24 September 2017

A look along one the rows of stalls at Dan's Meadow boot sale . . it's the last sale of the year, a beautiful sunny day, and we loved it! The video also includes a chat with the boss, Andrew - nice bloke.

At the boot sale, part 1 - 24 September 2017

Sunday 24 September, and we're at a boot sale - Dan's Meadow, near Martlesham, Ipswich - but its a late risers event, so no early start to leap out of bed for!

Retired People's Club - HMRC phone scam alert, 23 Sept 17

UK Police are warning of a new stream of fake phone calls, targeting older people, from scammers claiming to be calling from HMRC (UK Income Tax) offices . .

Check these sites:

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z.

 http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/alert-fraudsters-claiming-to-be-from-hmrc-jun17

Old Geezer's Diary, 22 Sept 2017; welcome to my breakfast!

A major event - time for a fried egg sarnie after abstaining from almost any sort of fry-up brekkie for around 2 months - my goodness, it was nice! For more exclusive content, including live clips, subscribe via Patreon!

Old Geezer's Diary & Retired People's Club merge - 21 September. 2017

I'm planning to merge 2 of my pages, Old geezer's Diary and Retired People's Club, under the Retired People's Club banner - your comments are requested!

Lady on a trike, 20 September 2017

Here's something new - its a news-ish item, filmed today, and aimed at giving people in our age group a bit more from life . . . see what you think.

Out with Bob the dog!

He's such a good dog! Dot's daughter's dog, the excellent Bob - I get to walk him when she's bit busy, and I think we both have quite a good time!

Old Geezer's Diary, Scam Alert, 18 September 2017

Today's vlog with a couple of new scam emails to keep an eye out for! Recorded 18 September 2017.

Old Geezer's Diary vlog, Contactless Cards, 15 Sept 2017

Do you have, and do you use, a contactless credit or debit card? I have one, but I really don't like them!

Old Geezer's Diary Vlog, 14 September 2017

From Felixstowe's Landguard Point:

Riding aboard Emperor Rosko's Mini Moke Parade:

I was lucky enough to be asked to film at Felixstowe's Pirate Radio Weekend, and managed to hitch a lift aboard one of the Mini Mokes taking part. What a great ride, lots of fun, and a very different experience! Afternoon of 9th September 2017:

Old Geezer's Diary - at the Pirate Radio Show, 9 Sept 2017

Uploaded live earlier today from the Felixstowe and Offshore Radio Pirate Radio Weekend, 9th and 10th September 2017 - and you can learn a little bit about my history!

Old Geezer's Diary - summing up short break at Harts, 8 Sept 2017

Vlog post - summing up our 4 night break at Harts Holiday Park, Isle of Sheppey, 4th to 8th September 2017.

Leysdown-on-Sea stroll to the beach, 7 September 2017.

For the past few nights we've been staying at Harts Holiday Park at Leysdown-on-Sea, on the Isle of Sheppey - join me on a stroll through the road that leads down to the sea . . .

Sunny morning at Leysdown beach, 6 Sept 2017

A brief vlog recorded at 11.30am on Thursday the 6th of September on our short break at Harts Holiday Park, Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent . . . the best morning of this stay.

Herne Bay pier, 6 September 2017

A stroll along the pier at Herne Bay in Kent, filmed on 6th September 2017:

Whitstable, east of the harbour, 6 September 2017

With the weather not being too brilliant, we decided to have a reading day . . but had a little meander along the front at Whitstable first, but east of the harbour.

Usually we take a stroll around the harbour and to the western side, but the east is less developed , , ,

Day at the Bay . . .

Shared a bag of very nice chips from a chippie in Herne Bay, then had a very tasty apple slice, brought with us from the bakery at Leysdown, while sitting finally reading the last few pages of Hilary Mantel's brilliant Wolf Hall.

Its a tough read because you need to concentrate, but really interesting, too.

My goodness, that was nice . .

I think I'm probably what you might describe as an eater of traditional British food.

And this is one of my favourite British meals - liver and bacon, onions, mash and peas. I had it at Rio's Cafe, in Sheerness, Kent. It was beautifully cooked and I enjoyed every one of the many mouthfuls!

It's always the people . . . .

It's always the people who make the holiday, isn't it?

Yesterday, when we arrived at Harts, we needed help with 2 specific problems - a faint doggy smell in one corner of the lounge, remedied by a phone call to the lady at housekeeping, who whipped us round a can of spray.

Problem 2 was a broken bed-base slat (see the pic). Maintenance man Clive turned up within quickly and had it fixed within 2 minutes. In the meantime, we'd discovered that all we could get on the TV was 8 or 10 kids TV channels, so he took a look at that, too, and retuned the telly - its all working fine now. Good bloke, that Clive . .

There's a another small issue, but we're not too bothered about that - can't get the fire to light, and we'll report that to reception when we go . . .

Caravan walkround at Harts Holiday Park, 4 September 2017

Once again we're at Harts Holiday Park for a short break - 4 nights stay for just £69.

Here's a walkround of our bronze-grade caravan . . . its the end of the season, so its looking just a little bit tired . .

Bloody Morrisons self checkouts!

Bloody Morrisons! Possibly the most annoying self checkouts in the known universe . . . Sheerness, 4th September, 2017.

Today's vlog - 2nd September, 2017 - a hospital question . . .

Just a small query - if you were in hospital, unable to feed yourself, would anyone help you?

Today's video production - here's what I did earlier!

As promised, I'm now posting examples of the kind of clips I make every day.

I only decided to shoot this item this morning at around 10.40, and jumped into the car to do it, arriving at the port viewpoint just in time to catch the ship coming in. 20 minutes later, all done, I was heading for home, and and hour after that, I was uploading the clip.

Vlog 31st August - 3 scam emails, 1 good film and 2 great books!

Today's little round-up of my world - 3 more attempts by crooks to do nasty stuff, a really good horror film and 2 literary greats!

Today's hard graft . . . a change for you . .

I thought we'd have something of a change on The Old Geezer's Diary.

I make a film or two most days - it isn't always a long process, like today's movie, made for my Shipping TV channel. Took about 40 minutes to shoot, 45 to edit, and then it rendered while I was out doing an errand. Add 10 or 15 minutes for driving time to the location (Felixstowe Dock viewpoint) and back, and the whole thing is done inside two hours.

 So today's diary post is that movie - here it is:

Down by the river . . 27 August, 2017

A little film made yesterday, as I was having a stroll beside the River Orwell at Levington Marina - thought you might enjoy it!

Old Geezer's Diary - sunny Sunday beside the river, 27 August.

Lovely late summer day . . .

Oh,no, it's my birthday blog!

Oh, no - it's my birthday blog 2017 - old, older, or oldish!!

Yesterday's Video blog - salvaged from the mists of technology :-)

Yesterday ( Tuesday) I had one of my favourite bus-pass outings - but discovered that I was having all sorts of tech problems due to lack of signal and similar troubles! So here's yesterday's vlog video - the one that nearly got away!

Historic ship videos - as promised earlier!

Here are the 2 films I shot earlier today, when I made the blog. They show the tugs Touchstone and Kent passing through Harwich Harbour, heading for theit home berths and moorings on the River Medway.

Old Geezer's Diary, 21 August, 2017 - historic ships and an outing.

Today, I'm at Felixstowe viewpoint to film two historic vessels pass by - the tugs Touchstone and Kent, both heading back to the Medway after spending the weekend at the Maritime Ipswich event:

Old Geezer's Diary at Maritime Ipswich, 20 August 2017

A stroll beside some historic ships at Ipswich's major maritime event - I'll post some more from this event soon:

Old Geezer's Diary: a lost week, and a new pier; 19 August 2017

A bit of a lost week, and a brand new pier . . if you see what I mean! And yes, you're right, it's SATURDAY the 19th August!

Old Geezer's Diary - on Landguard Common, 15 August 2017:

Just a brief afternoon chat from the wide expanses of Landguard Common, Felixstowe:

Video: Scam awareness - "The little book of Big Scams", 14 August 2017

After getting caught by a malicious email, I decided to have a dig around among my files to find some information about the latest crop of scams . .

So here is some recommended reading for all of us older web-users, and for friends and family - anyone can get caught! "The little book of Big Scams" - download it from here:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/documents/1137/the-little-book-of-big-scams.pdf

Video: 11 August 2017 - the washing machine saga:

A broken-down washing machine results in a 4 or 5 week saga before we can get an new one - so thanks for your contributions, the washing machine man who never got back to us, and the mighty Currys, who I suspect probably can't be bothered with customers, really . . .

And here's another . . .

Here's another video clip from the material I shot before I went into hospital - of the barge Thalatta.

She's a lovely thing, first built back in 1906, and rebuilt in 2012 - now that's a major undertaking.

I like barges a lot, and really enjoy sailing aboard them, but I'm a crap helmsman, in my humble opinion. When they have their leeboards up (these are the boards on either side, lowered to prevent leeway when under sail), they are easily pushed in any direction by the breeze and the tide, and I have trouble with keeping the bow on target.

All the sailing boats I've owned have had decent keels of some sort, so leeway under sail is limited, and with the sails down, you really don't notice it.

I was lucky enough film a whole season about a barge a couple of years ago, the excellent S.B. Victor - you can find the whole video series on my Shipping TV Youtube page: click here

Keelboats heading up the River Orwell . .

On of the best things about making video of all sorts is that you don't have to go out to do it all the time. So this week, as I'm getting a bit more relaxation than usual while getting over my stay in hospital, I'm editing some bits of video I shot before going "inside" . .

This clip shows a trio of keelboats from the Levington Marina based East Anglian Sailing Trust passing the mighty Maersk Essen, and heading on up into the River Orwell, with a good breeze pushing them along, and the flood tide carrying them faster still.

Give just a little more . .

Taking a little more time off - back to normal bloggery soon!

Video: Good to be home, 7th August 2017

It's just so nice to be home again!

You cut his wrist, Doctor??? :-)

You cut his wrist, Doctor? For people who might have to have one, but haven't yet, let me tell that an angiogram is a startlingly smart procedure, but from the patient point of view, a really straightforward one, with outstanding results. I've just had my second in about 7 years, so I'm a big fan.

In simple terms, they cut into an artery in your wrist or groin, into which they insert a catheter, then they use this to insert a wire which is fed into the area where they suspect you have a problem. Then, they release a dye to show up where the blood vessels are, and if they are narrowed or blocked. They take a series of X-rays at this point.

If the medics decide fix it on the spot, as they often do, they can insert special balloons to open out artieries, or stents, to keep the artery open.

You're awake for the whole procedure, with just a local for your wrist and a sedative to keep you relaxed. In both my experiences, I felt no pain whatsoever, although sometimes your chest can feel a bit tender afterwards - there's been a lot going on in there!

The hole in your wrist artery is a concern, of course, and there's a special inflated dressing to help that close  there's a shot of the dressing, and if you scroll down, another of the wound about 48 hours after:

Video: Going-home day!

Going-home day today, by the sound of things . . . feel a little tired because of someone shouty at the far end of the ward early this morning, but not to worry.

Yesterday's angiogram seemed to go pretty well and the docs were pleased with the outcome. The last few days have reminded me about just what a great system the NHS is, and how outstanding so many of the staff are - one or two have been quite brisk, and obviously under pressure, but everyone has had time for a few words and a smile. Its something we can easily forget about a little when we're feeling fine, but it is amazing when it picks you up carries you away to safety.

Infinitely worth fighting for.

Summer feet; 3rd August 2017

White heat of excitement yesterday - transferred to the cardiac unit. Much more relaxed and routine than the assessment unit, where stuff happens day and night. The big benefit is the night-time peace, of course - I got to sleep right through, although the nurse told me there was some noise . . . didn't notice it. It looks as if I'll get my angiogram tomorrow, but that may change - we'll see. In the meantime, here's a view of the bottom of my bed - as you can see, I do like my sandals in the summer . . .

Feeling refreshed

Feeling nicely refreshed this morning, after a bit more sleep last night than the night before, and a good shower. I was also allowed to stroll along to the bathroom rather than have to be wheel chaired there, which is good news.

Breakfast was good - porridge, toast and tea, but no black pudding, bacon or fried food at all - I must be eating healthy food, which is a serious worry. I've always believed that the burnt crunchy bits are vital to our wellbeing. According to Terry Pratchett, BCBs are food group on their own.

May get moved today, to undergo a procedure or two, but OK with that.

Somewhat out of service . . ;-)

I'm afraid that I'm a bit out of service at the moment - I'm sitting on my hospital bed in Ipswich Hospital, after having a touch of angina - not at all nice. But I'll do my best to keep you up to date with what's happening. Here's a stylish pic taken yesterday, followed by from this morning:

Video: At Shotley Marina, afternoon of 29 July, 2017

A video clip from Saturday afternoon, 29 July 2017, filmed while I was waiting to film a ship arriving at Felixstowe, from the beach on the River Orwell side of Shotley Marina. It features the harbour ferry and a few yachts coming and going from the marina:

Video: One of the edited clips I shot yesterday at Shotley (29 July 2017)

While I was at Shotley Marina yesterday, I shot quite a lot of footage - some will appear here, and other edits will appear on the Shipping TV channel. To give you an example of what I do, here's one of the ship videos I make for Shipping TV (www.shippingtv.co.uk).

Old Geezer's Diary, 29 July 2017 at Shotley

A quick clip filmed this afternoon at Shotley, where I'm waiting to film a ship.

Old Geezer's Diary video, 28th July 2017

Just a quick chat as I was filming a ship from the Felixstowe Dock viewpoint his morning - reminding us, if a reminder is needed, that about 90% of everything we buy in shops, comes to the UK by ship!

New building for Felixstowe pier:

On my way home this luchtime, from filming a ship at Felixstowe Dock viewpoint, I stopped off to take a look at the new building on Felixstowe pier. It opens tomorrow, Saturday 29 July, so I thought I'd share it with you:

EMAIL SCAM ALERT! EDF Fake bill, 27 July 2017

EMAIL SCAM ALERT! The latest scam to arrive on my email actually got me going - really because we've just changed energy supplier. So I opened the file . . thank goodness I have Norton installed . .

The Pleasure Boat Inn and Hickling Staithe, July 2017

Another new video from our 4-night short break at Pontins Pakefield: A visit to the excellent Pleasure Boat Inn, and a look around the staithe at Hickling on the Norfolk Broads.

Burger King, West End Road, Ipswich - a not so hot experience, 25 July

Although the staff were helpful and kind, our meal experience at this Burger King simply wasn't up to scratch . . .

Old Geezer's Diary: Potter Heigham bridge, July 2017.

Video from our 4-night short break at Pontins Pakefield - a look at Potter Heigham bridge, on the Norfolk Broads.

Pakefield beach stroll - July 2017

While on a week's short break at Pontins Pakefield, in July 2017 - here's a short stroll down to the beach, and a paddle along the waves heading south, then back to the clifftop path to return to base.

Felixstowe Carnival main procession, 2017

Here's the rest of the footage I recorded from yesterday's carnival procession in my home town - it doesn't show all the floats and participants, I'm afraid, but all that I managed to get!

Old Geezer's Diary - we love the samba band!

Went to our local Felixstowe Carnival this afternoon, Saturday 22 July, 2017 - and these are my favourites!

Summary: 4 night budget break at Pontins, Pakefield - July 2017

As we leave Pontins Pakefield after an enjoyable 4 night stay, time to sum up the break:

Birds of Prey in Lowestoft town centre, July 2017

A fascinating display of birds of prey in Lowestoft's shopping mall.

Old Geezer's Diary - short break at Pontins, part 1

We're on an amazing value short break at Pontins Pakefield Holiday Park, Lowestoft - here's a guided tour of the park. Filmed 17 July 2017.

Bus-pass day out, 12 July 2017

Come along and join the Old Geezer for a ferry ride from Felixstowe to Harwich, and 4 bus-pass journeys to Clacton, Colchester, Ipswich and home to Felixstowe, all in a day, with a total spend of £9.15 for the day. More online soon!

9th July 2017 - at the Suffolk Punch Trust:

What a terrific day out in the countryside, meeting some of the nicest characters you'll find: Suffolk Punch heavy horses. More details at the Suffolk Punch Trust website.