April 08th, 2015

Hopefully I'll be able to post from Mexico next week, packing has started and I've been looking at youtube clips to judge normal attire which seems to be long trousers rather than shorts in the cities although it certainly won't be cool it could be damp at times, umbrellas seem to sell well. It's beeb yet another frantic day but when are they not.  I had an ECITB audit at work it went into the afternoon but all was spot on so not really sure why I worry although I must never trust anyone else to do those things on my behalf. I went out in the morning and got my sheep head sheared so I look a bit more stream lined and ready for temps in the 30s next week. I've got to drive down on Saturday morning, hoping that the traffic is better than this week, its been mayhem. The M56 was blocked backing on to the M53 at Ellesmere Port, I had to pick up IT items from our Knutsford office and I was lucky to catch anyone still there after battling my way back through Chester like all the others coming off the motorway.

Some very supportive comments back from Stagecoach on the photography situation with a no tolerence policy of abuse from drivers and a promise to take action when they are advised of incidents, they also agreed that incidents have greatly increased over the past 10 years, I did take the opportunity of commending their feedback and local offices for taking things seriously and had also commended some particularly good service in Hull last year. I also had a response from Peel Ports police and Merseyside police, Peel Ports laid the blame well and truly on the Merseyside police for intimidation and said you were welcome to apply for permits to film within the port as it has nothing to hide normally although we did discuss the problem of people poking the cameras through fences, a marginally discussion, if they do have stuff to hide then make it a proscribed area but that would alarm the local population. The Merseyside police apologised unreservidly for any intimidation and promised to had watch talks on communicating with the public, their suggestion was to dial 101 when you are visiting a possible sensitive area to advise them and prevent any harassment. We then descended into the balance of freedom against security, when is a European court ruling a ruling and not advice though.

Next door the graphics / animation film expert is working on the new Spitting image type series, lets hope it is nearly half as cutting as the original which took no prisoners from politicians through to the royal family and if it takes off he'll have a nice local long term job with none of the hassles of street photography. I'm loading some North East bus material on Youtube this evening. If the weather remains good as today (18 degrees) then I'll give the camera an outing at Runcorn to mark progress on the second Mersey crossing work on the motorway / Expressway junction.I'm still musing over the tack to take with the court appearance in Oban at the end of the month, my dandy is well up and I'm working on several courses of action, rolling over on my back isn't my favourite now I've come to terms with them. Nicola and her National Socialist storm troopers hold few fears for the Brits let her have Farage on a free transfer they were made for each other!.