Memory Fault

ZX Spectrum game loading.  Canon S120

10th September 2016

On a visit to the loft this morning, I uncovered a box containing my old Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

Given Alex is of a similar age to when I had the Spectrum, I thought it would be fun to experience a 'blast from the past'.

Luckily the TV in the dining room still had a UHF input and could tune into the Spectrum output.

The belt in the tape player however was showing its age of about 30 years or so, but a more 'modern' tape player and an amplifier got something loading.

Some of the simpler smaller games loaded up and ran, but nothing of the more 'sophisticated' programmes ran properly unfortunately.

After a few hours of listening to the screech of the files loading, I investigated a bit deeper into why very little was working still.

Sadly it looks as if some of the memory chips in the higher banks of RAM may have not stood the test of time :(

We did manage to get a few of the splash-screen pictures from the games to load though, which at least amused us both!

An evening of sweat and Punk

Slaves on stage.  Fuji F10

 9th September 2016

Jo and I had a trip to Cheltenham this evening to a small pub in the city centre.  Jo had scored tickets to see Slaves again.

The gig was only a few hundred of us this time, and got very hot and up-close!  The support act was the Estrons from Cardiff, who were also excellent.

Superb Evening :)

Lawrie playing guitar.  Fuji F10

Isaac taking a break from drums.  Fuji F10

Dim Mornings

Sunrise.  Canon S120

8th September 2016

When the alarm goes off in the morning, the sun is only just over the rooftops these days; the shortening days are getting more noticeable.

The colours of the sunrise are changing too; there have been lots of golden skies in the mornings recently.

Soon I am sure we will move to more pinks and blues...  and just plain dark.

Hanging Hops

Hops.  Canon S120

7th September 2016

While walking through the park today, I noticed in the hedge a rather unexpected vine climbing through it.

Hops are commonly associated with beer making, but not often seen in a public park!

Woodlice

Woodlice.  Nikon D7000

6th September 2016

One of the Elder trees at the bottom of the garden is not just looking 'seasonal', it is looking almost dead.

I had an investigate today and discovered that when the chicken pen was around it, the chickens seemed to have pecked at the lower parts of the bark; the water has got in over the summer and the bark has now rotted off, leaving the tree 'ringed'.

I did find some bark still on the tree, but it is dead and the woodlice have made it their home.

More Hints of Autumn

Colour changes.  Canon S120

5th September 2016

It is not just 'specialist' trees which are spectacular Autumn show-offs that are starting to change colour now.    There are many plants which are just starting to show signs of change.

The contrast of the red and green together at this time of year is rather pleasing.

Late Summer Burn

Barbecue.  Canon S120

4th September 2016

We had a bit of a family gathering today.  The sun came out, and it was almost warm.

We could not resist both the first and last Summer barbecue.

I managed to get sufficient blackening and also make the house smell a touch smokey; the real deal :)