anilsays

using a bus...

2012-02-17T18:37:00.000+05:30

This is horrendous. Anyone who thinks that cyclists are the cause of all evil and that everyone panders to their whims, should think again....Mercifully, the cyclist escaped with his life.

While you can't condemn the whole company for one employee's actions, I wonder what kind of quality monitoring they do on staff, performance and fleet. Bath-based Buglers coaches ran the no 500 service bus involved in this incident. Thankfully, Bristol city council recently made it a cutback.

In the past, buglers have run the 532/533 services in South Glos from Keynsham to Staple Hill. Their commitment to quality was poor:

Buglers' Minibus | Midibus

Whenever I used these, I found the vehicles shoddy and badly driven. Re-registering them to disguise their age isn't a solution. I'm glad the contract passed onto Wessex connect.

In the absence of an integrated transport authority, you are reliant on traffic commissioners to monitor standards. Doesn't appear as if much of it happens in Bristol or Bath.

not all public sector work has good benefits...

2011-12-02T23:09:00.001+05:30

first 'first'

2011-07-02T16:29:00.006+05:30

Congratulations to my nephew who gained a first class degree from Bristol. This is tremendously good news and we are all extremely proud of his significant achievement! I'm pleased he continued to work hard through, what must have at times, seemed daunting challenges. As far as I know, this is the first 'first' in our families.

It's also good that he achieved this at a progressive university; one where widening participation is a reality. It must be rewarding to work in an environment that includes people from all of UK's communities. I know other universities where multiculturalism is defined merely by the number of overseas students recruited. Taking on more students from abroad doesn't make a university multicultural; it just adds income. Sometimes, you are doing that at an unacceptable cost to the undeniable talent which makes up UK's diverse community home students....

stoking the croft

2011-04-24T14:09:00.001+05:30

This may seem radical, but surely Avon & Somerset Police chief Colin Port's visit should have been made before? It's easy to visit and say things after events like these. If you genuinely want to engage with a local community, then you do that all the time, not just in the aftermath of flashpoints.

Whether Tesco is any worse than other supermarket giants, I'm unsure about. All seem to forget ethics and common standards of decency when they source goods from poorer countries. I have seen this at firsthand.

In a SE London area I know, smaller retail businesses are doing well despite being a few metres away from one of the biggest tesco stores in the capital. Maybe consumer behaviour patterns are different to those of stokes croft. Crime is high in that area where rich and poor are polarised, but so far, rioting has not been a feature....

shame, but....

2011-04-02T23:12:00.004+05:30

For those of us who watched this unbelievably exciting yet at times, frustrating match, willing Sri Lanka to win, the result is disappointing. But my admiration goes to all those who played such amazing cricket! This is what the game is all about. :-)

looking good!

2011-04-01T17:56:00.007+05:30

A 10- wicket win over England put Sri Lanka against New Zealand in the semis. Although New Zealand can turn things around at the last minute, this was a decisive victory for Sri Lanka with 3.3 overs and 5 wickets to spare.

Saturday 2 April final against host-nation India promises to be nail-biting. Teams are evenly matched, making it almost impossible to predict an outcome. Pakistan's captain Shahid Afridi says the strength of both teams are too close to make a call.

It's time to hoist the flag in this quiet village, don blue-and-gold shirts and make as much noise as possible. One thing's for sure; this all-Asian world cup cricket final is going to be hugely exciting!

thanks!

2011-03-01T05:09:00.001+05:30

Hi Alison - thanks for visiting so frequently!

summer breeze...

2010-03-03T05:12:00.003+05:30

bad boys always catching your eye?

2010-02-19T10:51:00.015+05:30

Recently, I found myself in an unusual situation. I was listening to 2 young men, aged 25-35ish, discussing women in the most disparaging and demeaning way. It was uncomfortable. One of the men has bipolar disorder.

Less than an hour later, in an argument which was, I'm unhappy to say, mainly my doing, a woman went to the man with Bipolar disorder seeking support. He was the complete opposite to how he had been such a short time before her arrival. Not having seen it before, I found his transformation incredulous.

Is this a true manifestation of Bipolar disorder? Or is it a good friend supporting another, so naturally protective? Is it a combination or just straight-forward manipulation?

My feeling is that it's all of these. Both genders tend to generalise at times but may not apply those values to everyone of that sex. If you are constantly flitting from one state-of-mind to another, then it's a challenge to discover exactly where you are. Some people, I know from being at the receiving end, will say things like:"I don't like foreigners but you are alright..."

Being aware of bipolar disorder, I listened to his comments and unsolicited advice on men, women, feelings, relationships and the universe. During the conversation, one word came to mind constantly: "hypocrite". I didn't say it out aloud - uncharacteristically (and probably making me one) - but meant it every other way. That's a conversation for a calmer time....

so.....where's my bus?

2010-01-18T18:14:00.029+05:30

Using UK's public transport means you are patient, tolerant and have stamina, specially if living in rural areas. But today, I wrote this to First Somerset and Avon:

"Service 332 Bath - Bristol

For the past decade, I have been tolerating unreliability of this service in the Bath direction. The one that is delayed almost daily is the 0830 bus from Bristol, due at 0900 in Bitton.

First Somerset and Avon and their predecessors have given me a wide range of excuses. I understood delays when cabot circus was being built. I understood this prior to bus lanes in church road, St. George, Bristol. You can tell me now delays are due to traffic but I won't believe you.

Recently, a fellow passenger reported that the bus hadn't left Bristol bus station at 0850, some 20 minutes after it was supposed to. No information was given to passengers. The electronic displays at Bristol are a 'pretend' system rather than 'real time'. Information simply disappears off-screen a few minutes after departure time, irrespective of whether a bus has left or not.

For the past decade, I have been periodically pointing out the idiotic gaps in your timetable for both the 319 and 332 services. Here's one final time. At 0700, both buses in the Bath direction arrive at the same time. Then there's almost an hour's gap. Again, both buses arrive in Bitton at 0755 or thereabouts. Then an hour's gap. The 332 is scheduled at 0900 and the 319 at 0929. As the 332 from Bristol is almost always late, usually by about 30 minutes at Bitton, again, both buses arrive within minutes of each other. After that, buses revert to an almost-sensible 30 minute interval between services. So basically, at peak hours 0700-0900, you run both buses at the same time with an hourly gap. It's surely common sense to run services more frequently during peak hours?

Recently, I spoke with WessexConnect regarding filling the gaps left by your timetable. They said they would consider it after strenghtening their services in Bath. I'm pleased about this. Rather than paying 1400 gbp annually for poor service from First, I 'd be able to use WessexConnect for a fraction of the cost.

A picture used in a local history book is one of a double-decker at Hanham taken in 1917. Its caption says something like: "...Hourly bus. Its destination states, Longwell green, Bitton, Kelston. It is probably on its way to Bath." So 93 years on, nothing much has changed.

watching paint dry...

2009-06-12T18:08:00.018+05:30

Sometime ago, I painted this for my brother as a birthday present. Ideas were swimming around in my head for a long time. Finally, I sketched them; then got painting. Occured to me that I spent a fair time watching paint dry...... and enjoying it! ;-)

buses...

2009-06-08T00:24:00.005+05:30

our 'little paki' friend...

2009-01-13T18:07:00.011+05:30

So we should just disregard it. After all, it's a 'harmless' comment; quoted completely out of context and so on. Prince Harry meant it as an affectionate term and has since apologised. It's all good, then...

Actually, I'm a 'paki' in the broader sense. I could also be a rag head; my national costume has a four-cornered hat made out of fabric. I wonder how prince Harry would describe that.

This is found much closer to home. I'm consistently called 'paki' when waiting for a bus in Bradford-on-avon. It usually happens after dark; always from a passing car and at high volume. Part-time, ineffective policing of the area and a lack of CCTV means this continues regardless.

So what do I make of it? After 30+ years in the UK, I feel it is an old-fashioned, colonial attitude. If I get a chance, I'd like to tell people who call me 'paki' that Pakistan is a result of the British playing empire games. Then I'd suggest they spend a day in London. There, us 'pakis' are a significant part of the community. We contribute to culture, the economy, infrastructure and life in general, just as we do elsewhere. Take away the 'paki factor' and London will be a sadder place - much like bradford-on-avon - where the only multicultural interaction seems to be one of hurling racial insults from a passing car....

it's your M&S....

2008-06-24T17:31:00.006+05:30

Most of us know where cheap goods come from. Many are aware of appalling conditions these are manufactured in. Almost all of us are taken in by large-budget, feasible-sounding, "nothing bitter about our fairtrade coffee" type campaigns.

The recent panorama programme featured Primark. While we focus here, others are getting away with unacceptable things packaged as ethical practice. Don't just take my word for it though - www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=100934

After all, we want our children to look their best in school uniforms, don't we? So what's it matter if people are paid 60p a day? It's a lot of money for them, isn't it? Don't forget, it's "your M&S"......

art for living....

2008-05-22T22:13:00.025+05:30

Art for life at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital held a charity auction on 20 May at the Castle Hotel. Titled 'art on the block', nearly 80 pieces of original work were sold, raising a staggering 5200gbp or so. Well done to Bronwen Gwillim and her team; this - a herculean task by any standard - was executed well.

The idea of producing any type of artwork on A5 wooden blocks, measuring 21cm x 16cm, must be unique. Such was their unusual appeal, all sold within an hour. I was outbid on 3 pieces, but happily so; it would've raised more for the project. I met John Alder, a local sculptor whose contribution, plaster of Paris bananas mounted on a block, sold quickly. John's work includes 'fruit boxes' using similar materials; these I like very much. I had seen his exhibitions before, at the Royal West of England Academy Bristol or the Brewhouse in Taunton, but that was a long time ago. I was pleased he introduced himself. I couldn't make the preview evening to meet other contributors.

At 25 gbp, entry to the auction was expensive but worth it. Apparently, the Castle Hotel hosted the evening free of charge. Disappointingly, the art for life website carried no links to the hotel or any other sponsors or contributors'. This undeservedly gave it a 'small town event' feel. Using a 'dung' colour pallette, the website is hardly inspirational. Glaring errors would have my usabilty engineer colleague shaking her head. I noticed web copy closely following print ....hmmm....

Anyway, this doesn't take away from it being a successful and innovative way of fundraising. Well done all for raising over 5k. As Art for Life costs over 50k gbp to run per year, you may wonder where the the other 45k + gbp comes from. Yes, you guessed it - you and me. It's taxpayer's money. At a time when the NHS is refusing treatment for cancer patients on cost grounds, seems it's art...or life.

சஞ்சீவ் austin

2008-04-09T18:46:00.003+05:30

machan මචන'

2008-03-19T00:19:00.009+05:30

Machan - pronounced 'much - un' - is a sinhalese word for friend, comrade, buddy or mate. Used frequently as 'mate' is in Britain, but definitely with more feeling, it transcends all sections of Sri lankan society.

When Lucky, my long-term friend and former neighbour visited recently, it's one of the first words he used. Lucky is now a director of a large travel company in Sri lanka. He gets to travel worldwide and often stays with Tilak, my brother, when he's here.

Lucky hadn't been to Bath before. We planned a very quick visit. I took a diagonal path from the bus station, showing Lucky and Tilak as many sights as possible en route. Then we went to the Roman Baths - walking through the pump rooms as I used the shop entrance. Mindful that we only had just over an hour, we approached the ticket counter.

At 10.50 gbp per adult, a visit to the Roman baths is expensive. Bath residents have a 'discovery' card that gets them in free. Showing my Bath-based employer's id card to the ticket seller, I wondered if I might get a discount. I got in for nothing! Introducing Lucky as someone 'very important in sri lankan tourism', we were completely astounded when the ticket seller stretched out his hand and said:"ah, machan....."

Turns out he'd spent many happy months in Sri Lanka, several years ago. Although he hadn't been back since, he recalled most things as if they'd happened yesterday. Lucky wasted no time in giving him a business card, sorting out a possible itinerary for his next trip and insisting he kept in contact. A holiday was possibly sold here - conversation was animated and full of laughter. Lucky got in free too!

Tilak waited patiently. He works for a large police force. Does the Met get a discount, I wondered. Apparently not, but at 10.50 gbp for 3 of us, we were hardly complaining!

We were given a superb tour by a very knowledgeable guide. We spent a long time discussing and comparing the very different histories of our countries, joking about Roman life and generally messing about. It was a good time.

One word - machan - had taken us back over 3 decades. It was like when we were teenagers in Colombo's suburbs, out having a good time in the warm sunshine. You never realise how meaningful a single word can be.......do you, machan?

:-)