Intorducing Cosmo, my house rabbit

Had some wonderful entertainment this morning when I watched a woman driving this huge people carrier. She was trying to park it in the parking bay, which is against the pavement.

There was definitely far too many steering wheel turns and far too much use of the clutch! It took several minutes and loads of over and under steer to finally abandon...sorry park the car. I would use this opportunity to raise the issue of women drivers.....however, this blog isn't that brave!!!

During to day I had to by some litter and food for my house rabbit Cosmo! Cosmo is a lovely, cute, huggable and good looking house rabbit..... basically like his adopted Dad!!

To cut a long story short - he is adopted from the Mayoress and her Husband. Neither Cosmo or they got on! So, when they both went on holiday two years a go, I agreed to look after him in my house. He immediately loved it...the extra freedom. So he sort of stayed.

However, in his time, he has gone through:

• two telephone wires (requiring the replacement of)
• all of my SCART leads
• my coaxial cable
• the power cables to my TV and various lights
• the back of my sofa
• two yellow pages
• some twig things from IKEA
• all my next catalogues
• parts of the skirting board

He is very house trained......!!! At least I now have new feed for him.

This evening I chaired (as Mayor) a full City Council meeting. Now I know what you are all thinking - it wasn't six weeks from the last meeting. However, this meeting was to do with setting the precept (City Council tax). We started at 1900hrs and finished at 1915hrs.

Had a couple of instantly forgettable rants - however, not much else was said. I proposed that the budget be adopted and we had a recorded vote. The 'FOR's) carried the motion be a long way. Budget thus set!

After the meeting we had a presentation by Centros Millar in regards to the potential Princes Road development. In general, there could be a huge retail development to compliment the existing city centre.

The developer however, are required to consult. This is just the start. You can join in the consultation by clicking onto here. I've set a permanent link in my 'Wells Links'.

Was a very interesting proposal, with much to consider. If you are interesting in the project, please do participate.

After all that, six of us went of for an excellent curry at Cafe Romna. Always a pleasure, with the best curry for quite a few miles....

How many men does it take to change a bulb on a VW Polo????

Wednesday wasn't all it was cracked up to be! Trading was ok - but thought it would be busier. I suppose the cold weather kept people away.

Have got a funny story regarding my car: Noticed this morning that one of my main head lamp bulbs had blown. So during the morning, I went out to replace it. First, I thought I had a spare in my car.

So, not thinking straight, I tried to remove the light from it's casing. Being a typical man - I thought...no need for instruction.

Anyway, although I got the water proof rubber cover off, I couldn't figure out a way to remove the bulb.

So after a while, I got bored! So I took my car manual from the glove box and found the section for replacing lights.

It said about removing lights by lifting a safety catch. Well I couldn't see one in there...although it wasn't easy to look directly at it! I tried feeling for it...again nothing except the wiring for the bulb. I double checked the diagram and thought VW had given me the wrong print. I even had the help of a local Policeman, who was shocked to see the Mayor in the bonnet of a car!

He looked at the manual too. Couldn't find the safety catch!!! Then I heard him say "aaahhhh, we've been looking at the diagram for the rear set of lights"!!!!! When we looked at the correct diagram, the bulb came out.

It didn't stop there. I then realised I had no replacement. So, I drove to the nearest car shop and brought a new one. Took ages to fix it back in (the manual only showed me how to remove it). All is now working fine. I think I'll leave such techie stuff to professionals in the future.

Later this evening I attended a public meeting to discuss setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in part of the ward I represent. Was a interesting meeting with support from the Police, Local Action Teams, County Councillor and City Councillors.

Tomorrow (Thursday 25th Jan) looks to be interesting as we have a full City Council meeting to discuss our precept (City Council's tax). Trouble is, with an election around the corner, who knows what may happen!

Watch this space for updates......

washing t-towels was not in the book...

Had a rather hetic 24hrs! On Tuesday, I had to do some more adjusting to the reports printing off from my now infamous checkouts... anyway, all seems to be ok now.

Sadly missed the Skate Park Meeting that night at the Youth Centre...sorry Dave!

By the time I finished that and sorted out washing t-towels for work (oh yes, it gets that exciting when you run a business....strange that they don't tell you about these sorts of jobs when a new business is set up).

Anyway, had an easy night because I fell straight alseep after all that. The weekend is still catching up with me.

We could be the first.... normally we are!

Managed to get up in time this morning...after a marathon sleep!

Had a busy day - although I have to get my head around some VAT rules for our products. It's not as easy as it all sounds.

After work, I attended the Radio Link and Safer Socialising meeting at Pickwicks. Very interesting meeting, however had to finish cleaning the coffee machine and cash up whilst it was going on.

Great news is the 'Safer Socialising Scheme', which is designed to reassure customers and support the many aspects of holding a licence (to sell alcohol), will be going ahead. We just need to consult with some current holders of a premises licence.

Wells hopes to be the first City in the South West to have this award. Watch this space....

After that, it was off to the Chamber of Commerce meeting in the City Arms. Had a good meeting, were Cllr. John Osman updated the chamber with his City Plan proposals. The presentation went well and he should get some useful feed back from it.

The last port of call was a pizza in ASK....

Then back home - enter my wages for the month (so the Accountant can do his bit), updated this blog and then typed my Mayor's Diary for the Wells Journal.....

BED!!!

Who needs sleep??? Hope no one noticed the toothpaste or cranberry juice...

Well back in Old Blighty...wind, rain and snow!!

I managed to get back OK - even with the general lack of service by Ryanair. However, to be fair - I did sleep on the way back!

The reason for this is quite embarrassing! Whilst out and about in Dublin, having an odd drink or two to wish my mate Keith on his way (lesson to pass on: never drink champgne after a glass of vodka)(for your information the vodka was served with 7up and I didn't really have much choice as no gin available...nor tonic), we all completely forgot about the time!

So at about 0530hrs, Sunday morning, I suddenly realised that I had to get back to Keith's apartment to collect my stuff. My flight was at 0830hrs from Dublin Airport. So, we finally arrived at Keith's house at 0615hrs, with my taxi to the airport waiting outside.

So there was no time to change! I really do hate travelling like a scruff - it's just so unnecessary and totally slack. Anyway, quickly brushed my teeth and managed to get half of the paste down my new jacket.

Said goodbye to Keith.... and headed to the airport. At this point I put those wonderful skills you learn as mayor to the test. It didn't matter how knackered I looked - I was determined to appear a seasoned and quite decent traveller....as the penguins in the film 'Madagascar' says "...just smile and wave boys....just smile and wave....".

Anyway, got through all the checks and the thoroughly disinterested check in clerk (did she know whom she was booking in?). Had a lousy 'Irish Breakfast' (which according the one in the airport is an english breakfast without any taste). Felt even worse than I did checking in and headed for the plane.

Dublin Airport is going through an expansion at the mo. So to get to the Ryanair plane, one has to walk down a temporary passenger gate. This can take anything upto 10 minutes - and I was completely bored by the time I reach the plane.

So, stepped on board, sat down and removed my jacket - only to remember that the shirt I was wearing had splashes of cranberry down it....and when dried into the shirt, looks like blood stains. Not really that classy to have a shirt which looks like you've been in a punch up only a few minutes before! The cranberry came from an unfortunate incident in the restaurant we were dining in.

It was a wonderful place and a great atmosphere....however, a ramekin (small dish) full of cranberry sauce fell off and covered me! The waiters and manager did there best to get rid of the stains...accidents do happen!

blah, blah, blah......

I returned home at about 1030hrs on Sunday morning - after being collected at the airport by my mate Wayne. I had a quick turn around as I had to be suited, chained and booted to the Mayor's Parlour at 1130hrs!!!! From which I hosted a wonderful dinner for the South Horrington Leaseholders Association. The committee and especially the Chairman were very well organised and had brought everything.

Had a very nice afternoon, which finished off by me conducting one of my famous Town Hall Tours!

After all that, I got home, started sorting by bag of washing out.... By 2000hrs I was in bed! Until woken up at 2100hrs by Emma on the phone, wanting to catch up..... my fault really as I asked her to call! Never mind......

Hot Whiskey and Hot Port are new favs....

Enjoyed some of the wonderful smoke free clubs and bars around Dublin last night.

My mate Keith, who is heading off to Bermuda to work for a couple of years, was in great form!

I suppose he is building himself up to his newest adventure. So, this weekend is basically about saying goodbye for now - however, all of his friends will no doubt force themselves to pop in to Bermuda to help the time go by!

Last night whilst out drinking I met one of Keith's friend's who works for the EU in regards to the single currency. He has a very complex job, chairing meetings on the technical aspect of running a currency. He has to interact with the representatives of other currencies ie Stirling as well.

Anyway, off into Dublin again this evening for dinner and some more clubs. Really enjoy going into a place without having to smell of smoke!

This afternoon, we walked to the Donabate beach. Was a nice walk, but got drenched walking back in the pouring rain. However, once down at the beach we had a 'Hot Whiskey' and a 'Hot Port'. Basically they are a shot of drink, hot water, a slice of lemon with cloves and sugar...amazing drinks!

We are now going to get ready for this evening....I've got a feeling that it'll be loads of fun. Can't wait to meet all of his friends he has told me about!!!!

Mayor murdered.....

Shocking story in the Daily Telegraph today (18th Jan 2007). According to the paper, the Mayor of a village in Spain has been murdered!!!!

Mayor Miguel Grima was murdered last Friday and the Spanish police are suspecting the whole village! The village is called Fago and is situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

We'll await developments and keep you updated.

Sounds very much like the plot in the 'Hot Fuzz' film, which was largely filmed in Wells and premiered in February.....