“Loneliness is the penalty of leadership.”
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South.
In these times of apparent self-sacrifice, try reading this epic story of survival against monumental odds. Then try moaning because you can’t go for a day out at the coast.
Fitness By Pictures
My gym – Kents (quick plug) – has been superb during the various periods it has had to open and shut the doors. Staff have worked tirelessly, not just to keep us all safe when open, but to make numerous improvements when unable to welcome us.
It is a small independent operating in a crowded and fiercely competitive market. But whereas small and friendly cannot compete with the deep pockets of the vulture capital backed nationals, give me small and friendly all day long.
Through The Keyhole
This week we started with a timetable of Zoom classes, the first offered by personal trainer Barefoot Lamont. Five of us hardly filled the screen but it was a start.
Golden Girl Cath, this being the highlight of her day until Loose Women, flashed a mouldy big toe at the screen. We were off to grunts and groans with assorted kitchens and living rooms providing a novel backdrop and the odd canine interlude.
Having been reliant upon pre-recorded sessions, I knew I could not continue in my boxers; it was time to up my game. If you are struggling to get going again and the cold weather is not tempting you out, for £20 it is a steal.
My City Of Ruins
Gateways to cities are often seen as prime development sites, the opening pages to the story of a city. Here in Bradford we are used to spectacular schemes invariably coming to nought. Consider this from an article back in 2007.
Plans have been submitted to construct Bradford’s tallest building. Developer Asquith Properties is bidding to build a 38-storey glass tower as part of a £150 million complex off Manchester Road.
I remember reading this at the time and thinking there was more chance of me becoming PM than this rising from the ground.
Since then, several developers linked to this scheme have gone bust, the most recent, Manchester Road Development One. As I pointed out – How To Polish A Turd – there is a consistent theme here.
Often embryonic developers are involved – the big boys have little appetite for Bradford – clearly lacking the deep pockets needed but enough nice drawings to entertain planners and dopey councillors. Given that this scheme has failed yet again it is time for a total rethink.
The original scheme was for hundreds of flats; however, three blocks adjacent to the site have just been pulled down with lack of demand cited. Please explain?
An aerial shot of Bradford centre will offer more blots on the landscape than a teenager’s face.
Notes From A Has Been
Bill Bryson’s Notes From A Small Island was written in 1995 and he made several observations about Bradford that remain so true.
He talks of the well-intentioned but misguided meddling by planners resulting in the loss of spectacular Victorian architecture. They genuinely thought they were building a new world…with sunny plazas, shiny offices…bright and clean and fun.
And he was ahead of his time given Bradford’s recent bid for public sector jobs from the South. What a good idea…if the Government ordered the evacuation of Milton Keynes…to places like Bradford in order to bring life back to real cities.
Walking out of town the other day from the Blood Donor site, I glanced up at the majestic Old Penny Bank. From what would have been a glorious balcony now hung a filthy old blanket. Grade 2 listed and built in 1895, it slowly rots away, another pitiful reminder of a once great city.
The boarded up windows, The empty streets, While my brother’s down on his knees, My city of ruins – Bruce Springsteen
Online
I would rather pull my toenails out than shop online unless no alternative existed; this week there wasn’t. Three numpty members of the Go Outdoors Customer Care Team later and I gave in.
Here is the last reply verbatim, suggesting that those kids unable to learn online are moonlighting at Go Outdoors.
the discount card its all good and should be working if this is the case please purchase this again to make ur order and we will refund the difference as we are unsure how to resolve this matter.
Mum
And finally, a very personal thank you to all those who either wrote or rang to ask after my Mum.
The Boss is back in town!
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