Playing a lovely carol concert with the band and talking to the Governor - he's put my mind at rest over my rough performance on Friday...such a lovely guy!!

Britten's Ceremony of Carols, featuring chorister son looking angelic with his candle...

So last week - on a dark, wet night - my car decided to have the back lights stop working. Not good.
I spoke to my mechanic, and at the weekend took the car over to him for fixing. He was bemused at what would affect the back lights but not the front side-lights (as they live on the same circuit, all coming on when you put the headlights on "one click"), but me dropping the car over gave him the chance for a full investigation.

It turns out, both bulbs had gone We did actually think of that after I'd dropped it off. My husband said "It's too much of a co-incidence for both bulbs to have gone at the same time", and then I realised (and said) that one could have gone months ago, and how would I know? And then the second one goes, and only then do people behind you in the car flash their lights manically at you! And it turns out that's probably exactly what happened!

But, rather than feeling entirely stupid over that, I am happy because my car battery was replaced under warranty! Since the weather changed, and I've been driving much less with work changes, it's taken a few 'turning overs' to get it started. Well, it turns out that wasn't due to the weather or lack of driving. He charged the battery up, but it still wasn't playing nice, so as it is new enough, he swapped it for a new new one under the warranty.

So in half an hour I'll be off to pick up my correctly lit and fully charged car

You may be interested to know that light bulbs in cars often do fail in pairs. There is a good reason for this:

Firslty, similar bulbs from the same manufacturer will have a similar design life.

Secondly, a pair of stop, tail or headlamp bulbs will operate for exactly the same number of hours.

Thirdly, and crucially, when one fails, the voltage applied to the other bulb in the pair will increase slightly; so if it is nearly at the end of its life the extra voltage may just be enough to finish it off!

In the case of stop lamps, these are often applied when the engine has been running at speed, so the voltage will be higher than at tickover.

I had a stop light bulb fail on my car. (I knew because the computer thingumy told me.) I replaced it the same day, but the other one failed two days later.

So, if you need to replace a bulb buy a pair, and check the other one to see if it looks blackened. If so, replace it. It's safer, and cheaper than a fixed penalty payment!

What I cannot understand is the number of people who drive around in cars with only one headlamp working. If you do, just hope that the Lithuanian driver of the 40 tonne truck coming the other way doesn't assume that you car is a moped, and so uses the opportunity to overtake.

SB

I've had this happen twice, and both times it has been immediately obvious to me that something was amiss. I suppose if your bulb goes over the summer, when you put lights on in winter you may not notice that the light is a lot less than normal.

I have very good headlights and good eyesight, but I still woudn't want to drive on one headlamp. The risks are just so high.

I notice a lot of French cars (espcially Pugs) without any lights at all on one side or the other. Must be soemthing to do with their circuit design, or just dodgy wiring.

Nobody would drive with a wheel missing, so why drive with a headlight missing?

Maybe cars should be designed so they won't start unless the lights work properly. It would be easily done.

SB

an extra playing of carols in the local supermarket has been scheduled for next Wednesday

Hope to do that next year...

I have just finished making the last prop for the nativity play -he innkeeper's lantern. Thank goodness - I am really happy that the props for which I offered to take responsibility are finally finished! And not only that but I have actually cleared up the mess I produced while making it. I am even happier at the thought of going to bed with my Kindle!

A teddy bear would be softer!

I fall asleep while reading and used to be whacked in the face quite hard by a book or a magazine on its way to bouncing onto the floor (loudly). Now my Kindle just gently slips from my fingers and rests beside me safely on the duvet so that it's within reach the minute I wake up again If it does end up on the floor the case protects it very well... although it does have one little crack

SB Junior's new Roland house organ has just been delivered. He'll have no excuses for not practicing now.

It was a close run thing as to whether it would go up the stairs, but after a lot of heaving and puffing it finally went into his room.

The Rolands are built in Italy, so I suppose it is a bit like 'coals to Newcastle', but I think a Harrison would have been much too big, and certainly much too expensive.

SB

Hope SB Junior enjoys the new instrument.

Oh yes. We ordered it from JG Windows in Newcastle earlier in the year, but couldn't take delivery until now owing to decorating work in the house. Every time we have been to town since then he has taken his shoes and some music with him, and has spent an hour or so on their demonstrator.

He found that one of the pedal stops, which is user programmable, can be set to (wait for it), an Ophicleide 64 or 128! I just hope we keep our windows in for Christmas.

SB

Wow! what fun. Lucky boy - sounds like an excellent investment.

Lucky fellow, but I expect Dad will get plenty of use out of it too .

I'm not too sure about that. I suspect it will be like waiting for the bathroom when our daughter is in there.

SB

Should have kept it back another couple of weeks for Santa to bring.

Awkward thing to wrap, though.

How can an Ophicleid 128'stop sound musical?

The news that I have a fresh niece this morning!

I don't think Santas back would have been up to carrying it in to the house, let alone lifting it upstairs.

I don't think there is any musical value in any stop beyond 32', but being an electronic instrument there is the option to adjust voicing of individual stops to your own preference. There are also some programmable stops, and it is these that can be set to any length, but in practice will be set to something useful!

I must say he has done well to keep going as he has, but practicing alone in an empty church this time of the year is no fun.

SB

Feeling better not 100% fit but much better than yesterday

Congratulations!

On Saturday night hubby ( ) had to cancel our dinner reservation for our anniversary due to Hurricane Bawbag!!! We had a baked spud instead

Tonight we went back to the restaurant and had the most wonderful meal. It's an absolutely fabulous Indian restaurant and the chef is incredibly creative - the whole table was bright with colours! Everything was so beautiful to look at and absolutely delicious nom nom I have never seen a red pepper cut into such a beautiful flower!

Now we're all tucked up on the sofas with the dogs in front of the log fire while it blows a gale and snow again outside

Congratulations! I trust mum and baby are both doing well.

Feeling half human again which is a big improvement on the last 4 days!!

I know that feeling, glad you're on the mend

hoping to have a play on my clari later, haven't played since Saturday and I'm missing it

A text from a parent to say they have bought their daughter an instrument for Christmas - after borrowing mine for the past 9 months!

W

I have a gig tonight, tomorrow, Sat and Sun!! Haven't played since Sunday gig, but don't want to make myself tired before tonight...however it's for the local old folks home so they will love whatever we do

An absolutely awesome piano lesson

Sunrise - have fun and enjoy your gigs

Listening to no 3 child reading the first lesson at carol service this afternoon. Cool as a cucumber in the great big grown-up pulpit - I wasn't sure he would be able to see over the edge!

Playing my clari for the first time since Saturday not back to full fitness yet so couldn't play for long but it was good to be back playing

Back on the oboe. FINALLY!

that's great katica

indeed!

My other half performed some of his songs at our local's open mic night. First time he's been on stage in 20 years since his band at university. He did really well, is really chuffed with himself and I'm very proud of him. He did brilliantly.

Well done to your OH!

Fantastic!!

Maybe this should be on the pedants' thread - but I'm still chuckling.

Local police advice / newsletter just delivered. One notice, on the back, reads ...

A WARNING
If anyone calls saying they need to check your ?10 and ?20 notes,
shut the door straight away, phone 999.
The police will never call to check any counter-fit money.

Getting a dual screen setup for my work PC. Makes life a lot easier and I am even able to work more efficiently.

Notice in our local Post Office.

Six month old German Shepherd Puppy for sale. House trained and fully inoculated.

Eats almost anything and loves children.

?100 ONO.



SB

Well, the pup has no doubt seen the newspaper headline ...

'Kids make nutritious snacks'.

I was recently sent an article in a magazine about Jolly Music, where the headline read,

Follow Bradford primary
school teacher, M... N......,
on her journey to musical
enlightenment. With a little
help from Jolly Music, she
discovers that all is not lost
for teachers not blessed with
natural musical flare!

Free food and drink put on by the web team this afternoon.

Found out that I did well on my maths and spanish and history exams... just waiting for the results of my clarinet one though...

band practice and sight-reading 2nd clari - fabulous

We had our work Christmas dinner tonight, and the Secret Santa gift I bought went down very well. The choice of gift was made easier by the fact that I happened to get somebody I know very well, but that made it doubly nice that she was pleased. Even better, as well as the gift you have to write a limerick about the recipient - these are actually more important than the present, and mine was deemed to be one of the best!

DS dashing to get ready quickly for school so that he can work on Hedwig's theme from harry Potter on the piano......bless, never seen him so excited to practice!!

That's lovely Sunrise!

(whispers) My news is that, in this time of financial uncertainty, I have decided that it is the perfect moment to finally to trade in my Clavinova for a "real" piano. It should be delivered next week.

The poetry on Ask the Chief Examiner Thread

and the fact that this is the last day of working before 3 weeks off.... and maybe I can allow myself to shift this cold!