Well, here we are again. If you were reading my blog in 2008 to find out about our letterboxing activities, you were surely disappointed. Only twice did I get out to Dartmoor. The last time ended on a bad note as I got dis-oriented in the mist and it made me leave feeling not very good about Dartmoor in general. I don't plan on going back unless I am either with someone, or have an event lined up where I can enjoy the company of others. I just didn't enjoy it on my own.
So, letterboxing in general has just sort of slid off the radar for now. The long drive to get the other boxes in the UK just hasn't appealed at this time. Maybe this year, who knows.
I would like to put some more effort into geocaching in 2009. It is pretty popular in this region of the UK. Tons of caches out there for me to find and not too far from home which works out nicely. I keep looking out for a local group I can involved with but haven't run into one yet. Penny dachshund needs the walks too so a good daytime activity for us.
Will probably be concentrating on my sports blog more this year. But if I do get out caching, I will update on this Wellie Boxing blog. Also will keep the Letterboxing England Yahoo Group going. Not a whole lot of talk on there as there aren't that many of us, but at least keeping it open gives everyone the option of contacting each other and posting news/events/comments.
I STILL have a few letterboxes that I have not planted. I guess not having any boxes in the area has just put me off planting in general. I remember the early days for me when I couldn't wait to plant a box because I knew there were folks around who would be racing out to get it immediately. That was really fun. I miss that. Maybe caching will have to take that place. I haven't placed a cache yet, but maybe this year will be a start.
So, that's the updates for now. Have some cleaning out to do - selling my old Garmin 60CS gps and some geocoins this year. May look into the Garmin Colorado in place of my current Garmin 60CSX. Thought maybe the iPhone would be a good option in place of a gps altogether, but it just doesn't work as well. I prefer my Garmin. That hardy little thing has withstood being out in the constant rain of Dartmoor more than once and it keeps on ticking away.
Happy New Year! Hope its a good one for you. Happy Boxing and Caching!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Thursday, 20 November 2008
I won!
One of the podcasts I really enjoy listening to is the Cache-A-Maniacs geocaching podcasts. They are short. They talk to well-known cachers. And they discuss equipment and process - which I find really helpful. They just had their 100th episode and I was surprised to hear our name mentioned! We won a geocoin from them. Yeah! And not just any old coin. A TIKI geocoin. Oooohhh. These are all handmade low-count coins which makes them rare and desirable.
Check out their podcast if you enjoy geocaching! I've listened to all 100. :)
http://www.cacheamaniacs.com/
And read up on the Tiki coins here: www.geotiki.com
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Sports Blog
Just a note that we've started a new blog. It's called 'TeamKing on Sports'. All about our sport adventures.
As the letterboxing has dried up a bit and we haven't been to Dartmoor since the Spring, we started to focus on other activities we enjoy. Thus the new blog. (Didn't seem any point on dumping it all here.) So, if you enjoy sports as much as us, come on over and check it out: http://teamkingsports.blogspot.com/
As the letterboxing has dried up a bit and we haven't been to Dartmoor since the Spring, we started to focus on other activities we enjoy. Thus the new blog. (Didn't seem any point on dumping it all here.) So, if you enjoy sports as much as us, come on over and check it out: http://teamkingsports.blogspot.com/
Saturday, 18 October 2008
The Danger of Driving in Devon
I now officially hate driving around Dartmoor and Devon. It all started last March. . .
If you recall from my blog entry back then, I went to the Dartmoor Spring Meet in Plymouth. As this was my first time there, I was using my car's sat nav to get around. Unfortunately, the sat nav tried to take me down what I now term 'cow paths'. . .one lane roads with no shoulders to pass. I really hate these roads. I find them dangerous yet locals fly down them. So, instead of following the sat nav and taking the quick route to the meet, I decided to go the long way around which took me right through Plymouth. Mistake.
As I was excelerating to go up a hill, I came down the other side fast and 'boom' - a safety camera got me. (These are the fixed cameras all over England that just sit there and collect drivers each and every day. I wonder how many millions they've 'earned' from these things?!) Of course, at the time I didn't realize I was being tagged, but about a month later a notice came in the mail.
I think it was about 60.00 for going 39 in a 30 zone. So be it - I speeded, I pay the price. You have to send your license in with these fines, so I sent in my Texas drivers license and my 60.00. Shortly after that, they came back. My fine was returned and I was given notice that I was potentially driving illegally and I would be 'hearing from them'. (Actually I wasn't. The law is that you can drive for up to a year on foreign license before you are required to get a UK one. I was well within my first year here, so I was legal.) But, darn, this didn't sound good.
So, time ticked on. April, May, June, July, August. Then boom. In August, I received a new letter. A court summons. What?! For a speeding ticket?! I was required to be in court in Devon in October, or I could plead guilty by mail. Oh brother. The new problem was that I hadn't gotten my UK license yet. Now I was illegal and they wanted my license again - I couldn't risk sending the foreign one. Quickly I researched getting a license. I would have to take a theory test and a practical test. There was no switch for a US drivers license for a UK one which I thought was what I would have to do. I would have to start at the beginning. I hurriedly sent off for the Provisional License. The first step. With this, I could now sign up for the theory and practical tests and I was more or less legal.
The theory test didn't seem to be too big of a deal. I figured I better get a little book to study or check around online. Thank God I did! This little test was MUCH harder than I would have assumed. In the US, I could have (and have) taken the theory test with hardly any studying. Its not too hard. Really. Not true in the UK. They do a hazard portion which I found to be quite challenging. At least I now know that English drivers are much more safe than US drivers - you have to fairly competent to pass these tests and drive around here. So, I sweated it out, studied and shot off to Guildford for the test. An hour or so later, I found out I passed. Whew. Stage 2 done. Could I get the practical done before I had to send back this court summons?
The short answer is no. Timing was all wrong and I couldn't schedule the test in enough time to get all my documentation back. So, nervously, I sent back my notice with my new provisional license (as least I passed the theory and it said I had up to 2yrs to pass the practical after that - maybe I would be okay afterall) with thoughts of getting a suspension and how would I get around and get kids to school. . .booo. I was equally nervous because they required me to fill out an income statement. My fine would be based on 'if I was able to pay'. What???!!! How unfair is that? What happened to just a standard fee?! How much would I get charged anyway!
Last week was the court date. I pleaded guilty by mail so didn't have to attend in person. This week I got all my documentation and license back. The verdict? 325.oo fine + costs equal 400.o0 total!! and 3 points on my license. Part of me was relieved it wasn't worse, and part of me was so mad at the fine. Have you heard of anything so ridiculous! For speeding. Yes, I should be fined, I admit that, but let's not get stupid with massive amounts like that. Foreigners get fined extra I guess - only the English pay the proper amount.
I've since purchased a speed detector for the car. It's a really cool one - it automatically downloads as you drive any new info on current working speed cameras from their database. Yeah! Hopefully I'll only see one of those monster tickets. I don't think we can afford too many of those at these prices.
And who said the local councils were poor after losing their money in Iceland?! Between pay and displays everywhere and massive speeding fine amounts, they must be making out like bandits.
Ok, well, maybe I'm a sore loser. . .
If you recall from my blog entry back then, I went to the Dartmoor Spring Meet in Plymouth. As this was my first time there, I was using my car's sat nav to get around. Unfortunately, the sat nav tried to take me down what I now term 'cow paths'. . .one lane roads with no shoulders to pass. I really hate these roads. I find them dangerous yet locals fly down them. So, instead of following the sat nav and taking the quick route to the meet, I decided to go the long way around which took me right through Plymouth. Mistake.
As I was excelerating to go up a hill, I came down the other side fast and 'boom' - a safety camera got me. (These are the fixed cameras all over England that just sit there and collect drivers each and every day. I wonder how many millions they've 'earned' from these things?!) Of course, at the time I didn't realize I was being tagged, but about a month later a notice came in the mail.
I think it was about 60.00 for going 39 in a 30 zone. So be it - I speeded, I pay the price. You have to send your license in with these fines, so I sent in my Texas drivers license and my 60.00. Shortly after that, they came back. My fine was returned and I was given notice that I was potentially driving illegally and I would be 'hearing from them'. (Actually I wasn't. The law is that you can drive for up to a year on foreign license before you are required to get a UK one. I was well within my first year here, so I was legal.) But, darn, this didn't sound good.
So, time ticked on. April, May, June, July, August. Then boom. In August, I received a new letter. A court summons. What?! For a speeding ticket?! I was required to be in court in Devon in October, or I could plead guilty by mail. Oh brother. The new problem was that I hadn't gotten my UK license yet. Now I was illegal and they wanted my license again - I couldn't risk sending the foreign one. Quickly I researched getting a license. I would have to take a theory test and a practical test. There was no switch for a US drivers license for a UK one which I thought was what I would have to do. I would have to start at the beginning. I hurriedly sent off for the Provisional License. The first step. With this, I could now sign up for the theory and practical tests and I was more or less legal.
The theory test didn't seem to be too big of a deal. I figured I better get a little book to study or check around online. Thank God I did! This little test was MUCH harder than I would have assumed. In the US, I could have (and have) taken the theory test with hardly any studying. Its not too hard. Really. Not true in the UK. They do a hazard portion which I found to be quite challenging. At least I now know that English drivers are much more safe than US drivers - you have to fairly competent to pass these tests and drive around here. So, I sweated it out, studied and shot off to Guildford for the test. An hour or so later, I found out I passed. Whew. Stage 2 done. Could I get the practical done before I had to send back this court summons?
The short answer is no. Timing was all wrong and I couldn't schedule the test in enough time to get all my documentation back. So, nervously, I sent back my notice with my new provisional license (as least I passed the theory and it said I had up to 2yrs to pass the practical after that - maybe I would be okay afterall) with thoughts of getting a suspension and how would I get around and get kids to school. . .booo. I was equally nervous because they required me to fill out an income statement. My fine would be based on 'if I was able to pay'. What???!!! How unfair is that? What happened to just a standard fee?! How much would I get charged anyway!
Last week was the court date. I pleaded guilty by mail so didn't have to attend in person. This week I got all my documentation and license back. The verdict? 325.oo fine + costs equal 400.o0 total!! and 3 points on my license. Part of me was relieved it wasn't worse, and part of me was so mad at the fine. Have you heard of anything so ridiculous! For speeding. Yes, I should be fined, I admit that, but let's not get stupid with massive amounts like that. Foreigners get fined extra I guess - only the English pay the proper amount.
I've since purchased a speed detector for the car. It's a really cool one - it automatically downloads as you drive any new info on current working speed cameras from their database. Yeah! Hopefully I'll only see one of those monster tickets. I don't think we can afford too many of those at these prices.
And who said the local councils were poor after losing their money in Iceland?! Between pay and displays everywhere and massive speeding fine amounts, they must be making out like bandits.
Ok, well, maybe I'm a sore loser. . .
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Some New ARGs to Try
Want to try out some new Alternate Reality Games AND help out a charity at the same time? Check out these two:
http://www.tracesofhope.com/?gclid=CIuN49e2jZYCFRKS1QodW1FLFQ
www.operationsleepercell.com
http://www.tracesofhope.com/?gclid=CIuN49e2jZYCFRKS1QodW1FLFQ
www.operationsleepercell.com
Friday, 3 October 2008
Wanted: Clothes for the Rest of Us
Every once in a while I run across a funny website or blog that either makes me laugh, tweaks my curiousity, or just seems to hit the nail on the head. After having a depressed moment with clothes one day, I found myself looking on the web for some articles on fashion for the non-stick figure women. (You are aware that it has repeatedly been said that the AVG size for US women is 14/16 - no runway models there.) Anyway, no matter what your size, we all have to find things to wear. But I thought this article about what designers are doing on their end was quite interesting. And the comment about whose bodies clothes are designed for, funny (sorry to all my thin friends out there!). Well, at least it made me feel good for a while. LOL. Anyway, if you fall into the 'yes, I'm carrying a little more baggage than I would prefer but so what?! category', then read on and see if you can relate:
http://www.uppercasewoman.com/wastedbirthcontrol/2007/10/fat-fat-fat-fat.html
http://www.uppercasewoman.com/wastedbirthcontrol/2007/10/fat-fat-fat-fat.html
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
September Time
Well it is now autumn in the UK. Winds are picking up. Leaves falling everywhere. Temps dropping slightly, but not too bad. Maybe I'm just adjusted to it now. :)
This time of year from Oct to Christmas always seems a bit manic. Lots of new things with kids and school. Birthdays galore in November. Then we're back to the states for Christmas! Yeah! Hopefully we'll see some snow and get some skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating in. Whew.
I have done no letterboxing at all since my last trip to Dartmoor. And haven't ventured out for geocaches for a while now. I'm not even sure I'll be the fall meet in Dartmoor this year. It gets dark so early around here in the winter - like 4pm - that it really hits into your available time.
As I've reported on one of my last few entries, I've gotten really involved with Second Life in my spare time. I thought it was initially like The Sims and mostly for 20yr olds. But there is the whole spectrum of people there from every walk of life finding their interests. I think I must be so drawn to it because I really love visual communications. Graphics and printing are my background so I'm just in my element with SL. I've decided to write more about my adventures there, but couldn't decide it I wanted to clog up this blog or not. I've finally decided to keep this blog as it, and create a new one. So, if you want to keep up with my Second Life, check out: ripleysaunders.blogspot.com
Finally, a website I've found to be enjoyable to read: www.darkroastedblend.com. No, its not about coffee. It just has the sort of 'bits and bobs' (as we say around here) I like. Check it out and see what you think.
This time of year from Oct to Christmas always seems a bit manic. Lots of new things with kids and school. Birthdays galore in November. Then we're back to the states for Christmas! Yeah! Hopefully we'll see some snow and get some skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating in. Whew.
I have done no letterboxing at all since my last trip to Dartmoor. And haven't ventured out for geocaches for a while now. I'm not even sure I'll be the fall meet in Dartmoor this year. It gets dark so early around here in the winter - like 4pm - that it really hits into your available time.
As I've reported on one of my last few entries, I've gotten really involved with Second Life in my spare time. I thought it was initially like The Sims and mostly for 20yr olds. But there is the whole spectrum of people there from every walk of life finding their interests. I think I must be so drawn to it because I really love visual communications. Graphics and printing are my background so I'm just in my element with SL. I've decided to write more about my adventures there, but couldn't decide it I wanted to clog up this blog or not. I've finally decided to keep this blog as it, and create a new one. So, if you want to keep up with my Second Life, check out: ripleysaunders.blogspot.com
Finally, a website I've found to be enjoyable to read: www.darkroastedblend.com. No, its not about coffee. It just has the sort of 'bits and bobs' (as we say around here) I like. Check it out and see what you think.
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