Here are my thoughts on Wagtails latest and innovative squeegee:
The Wagtail Precision Glide squeegee
Monday, 27 July 2015
Monday, 13 July 2015
New Constructor Brush - fitting new bristles
See my latest video here: New Constructor Brush configuration of bristles This is a video of my new Constructor brush and how it performs with new extra long bristles on the end caps
Here are some pics to show what I did:
Note how much longer the new black bristles are from my original attempt with the white ones.
Here are some pics to show what I did:
Monday, 6 July 2015
Amazon eBooks - Free preview
Did you know that you can preview millions of books before you buy on Amazon Kindle library? Yes and it's free with no catches whatsoever. So if you see a title In Amazons eBook library that you think will be a good book to read, you can preview it by clicking on the "Look Inside" tab that is displayed on the top edge of the cover of the book.
It may surprise you at just how much of the book you can actually preview. You will be able to read more pages of your potential purchase than you think. This is a good thing since you can often get a real flavour for the book that you have taken an interest in.
So, if you were not aware of this generous feature that Amazon have provided in their Kindle book store, then it can be a big advantage in helping you make up your mind on what title to buy. Here is an example of what you will see:
Here is a real example for you to read. It may surprise you at just how much of a book you can actually read before having to buy it "Inside the Clock". This is my book by the way - hope you enjoy the introduction to a story about time travel but based on a true story.
It may surprise you at just how much of the book you can actually preview. You will be able to read more pages of your potential purchase than you think. This is a good thing since you can often get a real flavour for the book that you have taken an interest in.
So, if you were not aware of this generous feature that Amazon have provided in their Kindle book store, then it can be a big advantage in helping you make up your mind on what title to buy. Here is an example of what you will see:
Friday, 15 May 2015
The Dorset window cleaning show 2015
The second annual window cleaning show in Dorset, was arranged by Mark Munro to whom we owe a great deal. It can't be easy organising a show like this and apparently, it leaves him out of pocket too. Now that's what I call dedication.
This year the show was moved a couple of fields further away from the beach. Not that it mattered at all as the space in the new field was perfect especially as the marquee this year was about five times the size of last year. This was able to accommodate virtually all the stands. Some of the smaller stands still had to set up outside but Mark provided gazebo's for these and indeed under one was my friend Darren Ansbro who is a window cleaner but has also recently started to build flow controllers for DIY water fed pole systems. These are no nonsense bits of equipment built to last and at the same time, to be efficient.
Even though the weather was no where near as good as last year - the rain came down trying to dampen our spirits but we would not let it. Later though, the sun burst out and everyone was happy.
We were there early in order to help Darren set up and after this we all had a bacon butty and a cup of tea at the burger van. This was the same one as last year and we recognised the ladies who ran it.
The drive down to the venue for us was a long one. This year we decided to stay in the Travelodge instead of camping. This proved to be the best option because of the weather and my creaky bones.
My son Tristan, along with Darren came along, Tristan doing the lions share of the driving bearing in mind that the trip from Durham to Dorset is about 400 miles.
Once the bacon butties had been devoured and the rain stopped, then the punters began to flood in and I began to film as many of the stands and characters as possible. I have a YouTube channel called MyWagga on which I put anything to do with window cleaning. I was able to film Willie Erken with his amazing Wagtails, Bob Hatt at the Moerman stand with the new Liquidator Squeegee, Peter Fogwill with Aquatap without which I think I would die, Pro Gutter with Danny which we also use in our own business, Facelift and their amazing van system with hi-tech phone control, then came Scott Denning who is now representing Sim pole. I also got to film Mark Munro doing a speed clean timed by the famous Terry Burrows, the current world record holder. I also had a go at this and although I did well, I did not win.
Apparently, the attendance was about double what it was last year so things look good for next year. Mark has suggested though that it should be a two day event in the future. This would give more time for everyone to have a good look round. Not that it took very long to walk round the venue, in fact you could walk round in a matter of minutes- it's just that once you got talking and meeting old friends and new ones, the hours began to slide away pretty rapidly. As for my son and I, well with the filming we did it was even worse and a relaxing day turned into a manic one trying to film as many people as possible. This is where a two day event would turn out to be an advantage to us at least.
Just before leaving Tristan, Darren and I went up into the bar but were dog tired so after one drink we said goodbye to Mark Munro, Willie Erken and Karl Robinson among others. We made the 30 mile drive to the Lodge and bed.
All in all, it was a very successful trip and a lot of good came of it. It is surprising what you can learn and the people you can meet like the famous Terry Burrows and all your old friends. If you can make it next year, I promise you that it will be well worth it.
This year the show was moved a couple of fields further away from the beach. Not that it mattered at all as the space in the new field was perfect especially as the marquee this year was about five times the size of last year. This was able to accommodate virtually all the stands. Some of the smaller stands still had to set up outside but Mark provided gazebo's for these and indeed under one was my friend Darren Ansbro who is a window cleaner but has also recently started to build flow controllers for DIY water fed pole systems. These are no nonsense bits of equipment built to last and at the same time, to be efficient.
We were there early in order to help Darren set up and after this we all had a bacon butty and a cup of tea at the burger van. This was the same one as last year and we recognised the ladies who ran it.
The drive down to the venue for us was a long one. This year we decided to stay in the Travelodge instead of camping. This proved to be the best option because of the weather and my creaky bones.
My son Tristan, along with Darren came along, Tristan doing the lions share of the driving bearing in mind that the trip from Durham to Dorset is about 400 miles.
Once the bacon butties had been devoured and the rain stopped, then the punters began to flood in and I began to film as many of the stands and characters as possible. I have a YouTube channel called MyWagga on which I put anything to do with window cleaning. I was able to film Willie Erken with his amazing Wagtails, Bob Hatt at the Moerman stand with the new Liquidator Squeegee, Peter Fogwill with Aquatap without which I think I would die, Pro Gutter with Danny which we also use in our own business, Facelift and their amazing van system with hi-tech phone control, then came Scott Denning who is now representing Sim pole. I also got to film Mark Munro doing a speed clean timed by the famous Terry Burrows, the current world record holder. I also had a go at this and although I did well, I did not win.
Apparently, the attendance was about double what it was last year so things look good for next year. Mark has suggested though that it should be a two day event in the future. This would give more time for everyone to have a good look round. Not that it took very long to walk round the venue, in fact you could walk round in a matter of minutes- it's just that once you got talking and meeting old friends and new ones, the hours began to slide away pretty rapidly. As for my son and I, well with the filming we did it was even worse and a relaxing day turned into a manic one trying to film as many people as possible. This is where a two day event would turn out to be an advantage to us at least.
Just before leaving Tristan, Darren and I went up into the bar but were dog tired so after one drink we said goodbye to Mark Munro, Willie Erken and Karl Robinson among others. We made the 30 mile drive to the Lodge and bed.
All in all, it was a very successful trip and a lot of good came of it. It is surprising what you can learn and the people you can meet like the famous Terry Burrows and all your old friends. If you can make it next year, I promise you that it will be well worth it.
Monday, 6 April 2015
The Story Behind the Kite
The kite in the picture has a story. About ten years ago, my family and I were on the beach at Seaton Carew in the North East of England. My son was fourteen at the time and as we made our way to the beach we could see an unusual kite flying gracefully in the breeze.
It was an old man that was flying the kite and eventually we approached him and struck up a conversation. My son said "this is the kite I want". The gentleman said "here have a go". As my son flew the kite we found out that the owner actually made kites including the one that my son was flying. He was a member of a kite club and had been making kites for years.
After a while he said "do you really like this kite?" We said "yes we really did". "In that case" he said, "you can have it", Ever since, we have been grateful for that kind act and have flown the kite several times since but we never saw the old gentleman again.
The kite involved is call a hexagon because it has six sides. It also features a really long tail which keeps it really stable in flight. Three sticks form the frame on the back and its dead easy to set up and fly.
It was an old man that was flying the kite and eventually we approached him and struck up a conversation. My son said "this is the kite I want". The gentleman said "here have a go". As my son flew the kite we found out that the owner actually made kites including the one that my son was flying. He was a member of a kite club and had been making kites for years.
After a while he said "do you really like this kite?" We said "yes we really did". "In that case" he said, "you can have it", Ever since, we have been grateful for that kind act and have flown the kite several times since but we never saw the old gentleman again.
The kite involved is call a hexagon because it has six sides. It also features a really long tail which keeps it really stable in flight. Three sticks form the frame on the back and its dead easy to set up and fly.
Saturday, 4 April 2015
Really chuffed about "Inside the Clock"
My time travel book, "Inside the Clock" is doing great. I can't believe how quickly I was able to write it and get it published on Amazon. I think Amazon is a great platform for any budding author who is able to write a reasonable book. I think it only took me two weeks to write this book whereas with my autobiography, it took a year. Of course the novel is much much shorter but is in fact much more popular but there you go.
"Inside the Clock"
I based the novel "Inside the Clock" on a true story. Its about me going back in time to a place in my youth and my first love. It was back to a day I wanted to change but was unable - until now. Everyone in the book is real as are the places, the place names and all the pets and animals that feature.
Whether or not you believe in the time travel bit, well that's up to you but I hope you enjoy the twist at the end which will get you thinking.
"Inside the Clock" book
The point here is that if I can do it without any formal training of any kind, then I reckon you can give it a go and probably do even better than me. Here's a tip for writing: Try to write about the things you already know about or even base a novel on your own experiences like I did. That way, you will be more confident about your writing, your content and theme. Don't be afraid to change a few things. After all its a novel and will only be based on your story.
"Inside the Clock"
I based the novel "Inside the Clock" on a true story. Its about me going back in time to a place in my youth and my first love. It was back to a day I wanted to change but was unable - until now. Everyone in the book is real as are the places, the place names and all the pets and animals that feature.
Whether or not you believe in the time travel bit, well that's up to you but I hope you enjoy the twist at the end which will get you thinking.
"Inside the Clock" book
The point here is that if I can do it without any formal training of any kind, then I reckon you can give it a go and probably do even better than me. Here's a tip for writing: Try to write about the things you already know about or even base a novel on your own experiences like I did. That way, you will be more confident about your writing, your content and theme. Don't be afraid to change a few things. After all its a novel and will only be based on your story.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Can you relate to others?
In this blog, I have attempted to put down all the experiences, adventures, failures and triumphs into a multitude of articles. I also have bragging rights like when I survived a helicopter ditching and also surviving two motorcycle crashes in one day. I've done a lot of stupid things but also a few good things too. But again, I hope that within some of these experiences, you can relate to them too.
Most of the things that you read about here are things that I was reluctant to do or engage in but in an age of deference I felt it was my duty to do them. Sometimes I wish I could go back an change things but again, when I look back on my life, I am content that I had so many experiences because it made me into the person I am today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)