Author: Boadicea

Anyone for Win 10?

Both Bearsy and I registered for the upgrade from Win 8.1 to Win 10 on our machines. We were warned that the upgrade might take some time – but both of my Win 8.1 computers and one of Bearsy’s were upgraded on the 29th July with no apparent problems, although I, for one, couldn’t see what all the who-ha was about.

I don’t actually see that there is much difference – but Bearsy was somewhat saddened by the loss of the Charm thingamy wotsit. To be honest, I wasn’t too sad since the darn thing kept popping up when I didn’t want it.

Having got my two main machines sorted, I decided to upgrade my Sony Win 7 laptop. It proved extremely useful when a visitor came earlier this year and demanded the loan of a laptop while she was here (that’s another not very happy story!). So I upgraded – and I couldn’t log into my Microsoft Account, and I couldn’t add other users – which negated the whole purpose of keeping the thing in action.

In the meantime, Bearsy didn’t wait for the upgrade on his second machine – but downloaded it – again with no problems.

Yesterday, I decided to take the step of putting a clean install on my Sony – Readers Beware! Having wiped Win 7 and everything off my lap-top I got an error message of “Inaccessible Boot Device”. It would seem that I am not alone, and a fair few other upgraders have had their computers rendered useless.

I am stunned, I know Microsoft are renowned for releasing programs with bugs – but this is not just a bug it’s a super-fatal-bug…

Incidentally, I mentioned above ‘no apparent problems’. I have a Microsoft Surface Pro 3… made, built and sold (I assumed) by Microsoft. I love it! But, the Pen no longer works properly under Win 10. It is, so I’m told, an ‘known’ problem. For Heavens Sake – if Microsoft cannot even ensure that its own products work properly after an upgrade of this kind – how many other ‘known’ issues are there?

Election Blues

I know that those in the UK will be aware that Australia held an election on the 7th of September this year. I was in the UK at the time, having already done my civic (and compulsory) duty and voted before I left. I was quite surprised how much coverage the election got on UK news.

I’ve always thought that the system here is preferable to the ‘first-past-the-post’ system of the UK, with some reservations, Continue reading “Election Blues”

No Children

I got back from the UK last Tuesday. My apologies to those I did not contact. I could have done with a break – but alas, family affairs were too overwhelming!

The first part of my trip over was magical. I had sufficient air-miles to travel business class the seven hours from Brisbane to Singapore. I thought that would prepare me for part two of the journey – thirteen hours from Singapore to Heathrow.

Alas! One child threw a temper tantrum. My seven hours stood me in good stead – and it was three hours before I finally complained.

I could willingly have strangled the woman sitting next to me, who was only moderately less stressed than I was. She merely smiled when the hostie said “well you know children….”

I was moved – but to a far less comfortable seat.

I felt somewhat vindicated in the baggage retrieval at Heathrow when I heard the same monster still screaming and shouting… 🙂

My trip back proved my point. 13 hours of silence was just great. No children! 

Letter from Australia

As some members here might know I quite like cricket. I support Australia – until the ‘Ashes’. Bearsy changed his allegiance to Australia a few years ago – I didn’t, I support England. So it really doesn’t matter who wins – one person in this household will be happy!

A few days ago, one of the News Channels posed the question of what does Australia Cricket do when it faces its Ancient Rival – it sacks the coach!

Yesterday, the ruling Labor Party, about to face an election, sacked the PM. The situations were pretty similar. The Australian Cricket Team seemed set for defeat – the Labor Party appeared to be destined for annihilation. The Polls indicated that the Labor Party could retain more seats if Kevin Rudd, deposed by Julia Gillard and Union factions three years (and three days) ago led the Labor Party. Continue reading “Letter from Australia”

Talking about Gardens

Needless to say, when we bought our house last year we had the property inspected for all the usual things… no problems there. We also asked the over-paid ‘experts’ to check on the wooden retaining walls which ran down the length of the house and across the back. We asked the right questions: was it properly built? was it safe? was it legal? We were assured that it was. Right questions – wrong answers.

It all began when I called someone in to clear this area and plant some bushes along the fence.

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“I’ll certainly do that for you”, said the landscaper. “But, you’re wasting your time, the retaining walls are failing”.

Even I could see what he was talking about! Even worse, the ‘lawn’ was completely uneven. Continue reading “Talking about Gardens”

Front of House

One of the really nice things about the area we moved to last July is that there are many more restaurants nearby than there were where we lived before.

Yesterday evening, I decided that we’d try the local Thai Eatery. My daughter told me that the Food was good – but the Personality was pretty poor. ‘What on earth are you on about?’, I asked. ‘You’ll see’ she replied.

We were greeted by a tall, thin man with a long face who told us to sit wherever we wanted – and then wandered off. Continue reading “Front of House”

Back to the Drawing Board – March Creative Writing Competition

The Royalist asked me to set the next Creative Writing Competition. I haven’t – because I’ve been very caught up with dealing with the problems of this little ‘beauty‘ or should I say, beastie!

Continue reading “Back to the Drawing Board – March Creative Writing Competition”