Alan Gandy

Archive for the ‘Ramblings’ Category

As a web designer it’s won’t come as any shock that every now and then I have a mooch about other web designers sites to see what’s going on and being said.

Lets be honest most web design businesses sites follow a similar pattern – services, portfolio and of course the about page where they’ll describe there expertise. I’ll always have a look at that one – one I found today was particularly amusing…

I’ve been designing websites since the late 80′s

I was suitably impressed – this person must be a fcuking genius!

Given that the web was barely an apple in the eye of Tim Berners-Lee, and the first browser (Mosaic) was released in 1993 that’s one hell of an achievement!

Moral of the story: If you are going to lie, at least take the time to research your facts on Wikipedia before approaching the keyboard!

In case anyone who knows me is wondering – I built my first site in 1996.

I dropped an email to a business recently having noticed the Union Flag flying upside down. No need to mention where – suffice to say it was a hotel in Playa Blanca I drive past almost every day – it could have been like that for months!

They have put it right since the email…. (if you are the hotel in question – a quick thank you would have been nice!)

It´s got me to wondering how many others around the island might be upside down, and now I can’t stop looking at any I pass!

It also got me thinking about how may Brits don’t actually know the correct way.

Correct

Incorrect

Did you know?

It would seem, according to an article on the BBC website – which carries the headline,

Qatar 2022 ‘whistleblower’ in corruption U-turn

It would seem that all is well within FIFA and always has been! So we can all forget how the dodgy dealings dominated the headlines recently, with evidence quoted from many reliable sources that things ‘haven’t been quite right’ for a while now.

The article continues…

The “whistleblower” behind a series of corruption allegations involving Fifa executive committee members and Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has told the BBC she fabricated the claims. Phaedra Al Majid, a former international media officer for Qatar 2022, said she wanted to exact revenge after losing her campaign job. She decided to go public after she said her “lies had gone too far”.

Yeah right – we believe you! One has to wonder what it took to fix (pardon the pun) this one? Now for a quick game of spot the difference….

The question I have been asked most since I completed the north to south walk in February is… What next?

The answer so far is that “I haven’t really thought about it”. Which isn’t strictly speaking true. The fact is, that despite the discomfort at the time it was one of the things on my mind. I didn’t then, and still haven’t come to any conclusions, but I have no doubt there will be a follow up at some time – exactly what I’m not sure yet – I’m currently mulling it over.

A couple of people have suggested I do the same in Fuerteventura (which is somewhat longer than Lanzarote), but I feel I’ve done the walking thing now and if I’m going to do something I fancy doing something different, and maybe more ambitious. I really don’t know what to do yet though.

I do have a couple of (frankly, vague so far) ideas – but I’m open to other suggestions. I’m looking for ideas for a new challenge if you have any? Read the rest of this entry »

The Just Giving page set up for the recent walk I did to raise money for, I happy to say, has topped at out just over £1300 for the two very deserving charities – Niños del Tercer Mundo and The Rose Road Centre.

I’m very proud to be associated with both of these charities and also planning on helping them both more in the future whenever I am able. Read the rest of this entry »

So it’s the Monday after the weekend before and I’m feeling so much better than I expected I would after walking the 70 plus kilometres from Orzola to the lighthouse at Playa Blanca. The blisters  healing quickly and hardly a twinge from my legs and back.

Just before setting off

As I’ve written before, the walk is something I’ve had in mind for some time. And I have to say, despite the blistered feet and inevitable aching legs I really, really enjoyed the experience. I wanted to take some time out, clear my head.

It was hard work to do – but incredibly rewarding. It’s given some perspective to life here, and highlighted to me some of the good (and bad) things. I’m not turning into a hippy or anything – so don’t worry I’ve not come out of it a changed man – it just adds some clarity.

Starting early and getting ready about 4am, I was carrying my stuff downstairs and nearly took a tumble missing a step on the corner where our staircase turns. I didn’t know if I should read it as a sign – was it a sign? Was it telling me I shouldn’t do this? Or was it that the very fact I had failed to tumble down the stairs a sign that I was meant to do it? Actually, as I’m not one for signs, I ignored it as such – the only thought that went through my head was “Sh*t, that was lucky, how would it look to everyone if I’d cried off with a twisted ankle or broken leg before I even start”! Read the rest of this entry »

In addition to being able to make a donation through JustGiving, you can now sponsor me for my north to south walk in the ‘traditional sense’ at the following places on the island… Read the rest of this entry »

The boys!

In training for my walk in February I’ve been paying regular visits to the Princess Yaiza gym, and doing a LOT more walking than I usually do.

The dogs are very happy about getting to spend more time outdoors!

If you are here you probably know already I am planning on walking the length of the island on the 4th February 2011, and hoping to raise a bit of money for charity in doing so.

I’m raising money for Niños Tercer del Mundo, and the Rose Road Centre in Southampton. Both of which I feel are extremely worthy causes.

If you wish to sponsor me or contribute to the charities concerned, here’s how you can do so; Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve never been a fan of cats, as anyone who knows me will tell you. In fact – I hate the damned things… Selfish, useless little creatures that serve no purpose other than to spread germs – and irritate me!

I used to be allergic to then when I was younger – I’m not now – but I still tell people I am so they’ll keep their precious little fluffy things away from me if I go to a cat owners house. Come to think of it, I may actually still be allergic. But, its been so long since I let one get near enough me to know whether I am or not.

How may cat owners do you know who protest the intelligence, and affection of their pets. In reality, they function on pure instinct, think their owners exist to provide for them – and serve no useful place in any society except their own. Okay, I can’t object to a cat owner who keeps their animal at home and looks after it responsibly – but don’t get me onto cats in those circumstances that are allowed to wander over food preparation surfaces.

But how many cat owners are responsible? How many let their pets wander into other people space to make their mess, or wander the streets to breed indiscriminately? Do I feel bad if I run one over in my car? No! I blame the owner. Read the rest of this entry »