Guildford Snow - December 09

On Wednesday we had snow for most of the day, it was lovely to watch it fall and build up on the trees and grass. After lunch we went for a walk up the street and took these photos of Guildford in snow.

It snowed quite a bit last night, so we are going to have a look at the Surrey Hills this morning to see them covered with snow. Not much chance of a white Christmas the weather man is saying - but we will enjoy it today

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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TV Licensing - Poor Use of Resources

A funny thing in the UK (quaint old world charm maybe?) is that they still have TV Licenses.

Now I totally understand that channels such as the BBC need to be funded by the public, no qualms there, but the problem that I have is actual licensing model and the way that it is enforced.

We don't have a TV here. When we first moved in we got a letter from the TV Licensing saying the house was unlicensed and we better get a license or they will fine us £1,000. We rang to say that we don't have a TV and were told that someone would come and check. How is that for intrusive - we can expect someone to come to our house at anytime to check - I asked if they will check in our cupboards and under the bed!

So we then got another 3 letters from them - each of them very rude and condescending - I rang another time to say we don't have a TV.

Finally we got the letter shown below which annoyed me greatly. So I figured if they can be rude & condescending, then I can too, and I rang up to complain about. At least the woman I spoke to this time was pleasant enough and told me that she would stop sending out the letters.

My problem is with the TV licensing model - it seems ridiculous that a huge organisation like that should exist to extract money from the public for TV funding when you could have a public funding model to pay for it.

I see massive waste with the TV Licensing board - how much money is spent from their income on sending our rude letters, how much on staff who check if you have a TV, not to mention the detection equipment, software and the bureaucracy managing it all.

Imagine how many more millions of pounds can be funnelled into the BBC if the TV Licensing board didn't exist.

In Australia back as far as 1974 the government abolished TV Licensing because of the universality of TV (just about everyone had one) so it was seen more of a public funding issue.

If you are going to keep the licensing model, then at least be pleasant about it - the aggressive & threatening tone doesn't endear you to the buying public.

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Netley Abbey in Southampton

The weekend before last we took a drive down to Southampton and had a walk around the old city wall and also went up to the ruins of an old Abbey - Netley Abbey.

Netley Abbey was built in 1200's and was a lovely Abbey with a big church. Henry the VIII had it decommissioned in 1536 and gave it to a friend and politician who turned it into a mansion.

In 1704 the new owners decided that it was an unfashionable house and had it pulled apart to use as building materials. Luckily for us (not so for the poor chap) but a worker was killed during the recovery and all work was halted.

It is now a `romantic ruin' with the shell of the building and the church providing a very photogenic location. Jane Austen visited and Netley Abbey is said to be the setting of Northanger Abbey.

If you get down to Southampton - make the effort to visit Netley Abbey - we loved it - moody, quiet and just so picturesque.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Winter Walk in the Surrey Hills

Saturday was to be a warm (6 degrees) day with no rain, so we decided to take a walk up to St. Martha on the hill, a lovely stone church at the top of a hill in the Surrey Hills.

The Surrey Hills is officially "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" which is like some parkland reserve similar to national parks but still retain human use like some farming, housing etc.

We drive up to Newlands Corner and then walk across the lovely open fields taking in the view across the rolling hills, the patchwork colours of the English hills with their infinite shades of green, the reds & browns of the winter trees and filter sun. This section is extremely popular for dog walkers, we see dozens of people each time here with their dogs running around like mad - big open spaces & a ball or stick makes for happy dogs.

After the open fields we skirt a farm along a bridle track and spot the busy squirrels trying to find that last bit of pre winter food. Then we start to climb up St. Martha's hill which is fairly gentle, but just stunning. The tracks are winding all throughout the hill making their way through thick forests of dead ferns and wintery trees whose leaves carpet the ground providing a nice spongey walkway. The air is cold & fresh and has a delightful earthy smell to it.

When you get to the top of the hill there is a great view of the surrounding country side and the lovely old church.

The view the sandy trail as you head up to St. Martha on the hill.

St. Martha on the hill.

Ying enjoying the walk in the ferns

Norwich Cathedral

Last weekend we went up to Norwich Cathedral - it has the second highest spire in the UK and one of the longest naves. It is a truly spectacular building.

One of the great aspects of the Cathedral is the fact that it is sitting in a 44 acre walled town within Norwich city. The whole effect is like that of a giant cloister with the cathedral as the centre piece.

The cathedral has been in place since 1096 and is a masterpiece of Norman architecture.

After wandering around the walled cathedral town we stumbled upon a lovely old church call St. George Tombland. We had a lovely little tour by someone there who pointed out the history of the church. It has a magnificent wooden ceiling untouched by fire and some fantastic ornate carvings of angels. Parts of the church date from the 13 century.

Norwich itself is a lovely city with some great pedestrian shopping streets.

We stayed at the Premier Inn near the train station which was great, it had a fantastic modern restaurant that was half pub half restaurant - but with very private seating, not crowded at all.

All up, Norwich was a great visit.

Now in Guildford - England

It has been awhile since we updated here and there have been many changes since living in Manly.

From Manly we moved to Everton Hills in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. We bought a lovely house there with a backyard and trees - we were living the suburban life.

In Feb '09 we brought the digital pen business into the Acorn Software business (makers of simPRO).

Then in June '09 we moved to the UK to open up a simPRO UK office. We have been doing that since July.

We are based in the lovely town of Guildford, about 1 hour south of London.

So now that we are back on the grid, we will do some regular updates.

Digital Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

The answer to the question "Is the pen mightier than the sword?" is a resounding yes if you take a look at this - www.simpromobile.co.uk

Flexicar - Car Share now in Manly

Flexicar is a great concept where instead of owning a car, you car share.

By becoming a member, you get access to a fleet of cars around Sydney and Melbourne. They are primarily in the inner city suburbs and Sydney's inner west - but now - they are also in Manly.

It is a pretty simple process, you become a member, pay a plan amount, get a smart card then book online and drive away!

After you book online, simply walk up to your booked car, swipe your smart card across the windscreen and the doors unlock and off you go.

The cars are mostly smart cars - so they are pretty cute - and easy to park.

Rates are extremely affordable - starting from only $12 per hour!

So if you live in Manly, and you are looking for a car or access to a second car - check out Flexicar.

Dragon Boat Festival Races - Sydney

This weekend my mum was in town as part of the dragon boat festival races in Darling Harbour.

The festival is part of the Chinese New Year Festival and is a high light of the Australian Dragon Boat Racing series.

Mum's team is the Port Macquarie Flamin Dames - they are a masters (over 40) women's sports team. She got into by support the Dragons Abreast racing club which is for breast cancer survivors.

Mum's Team Powering In To The Finish

It was a fun day out enjoying the beauty of Sydney's Darling Harbour and the sunshine! These kids even enjoyed the sight of a huge jellyfish floating under the boardwalk:

The Future of Advertising

Is this the future of advertising?

Li Xin, a Chinese Kungfu practicer, shows the back of his head for advertising in Nanjing, East China‘s Jiangsu Province. The four red Chinese characters say "Advertisement, For Rent. "

Maybe I can sell some skin on the back of my old bald noggin!! Any Bidders?