Tag: Waterlooville

The Waterlooville Wally(s) Of The Week Award – Lidl


https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7517927/lidl-gin-staff-call-police-couple-daughters/

‘VICTIMS OF STUPIDITY’ 

Lidl staff call police after middle-aged couple try to buy £12 rhubarb gin with daughters aged 11 and 14

 

I haven’t had cause to issue one of these for some time but this article really takes the biscuit. This ranks up with the story of the couple refused entry to their local cinema because their babe-in-arms was to young for the movie certification. It beggars belief.

So, to the Staff and Management of Lidl, Jointly I award you, “The Waterlooville Wally Of The Week Award”

Albino Squirrel


We don’t get them every year, but we do seem to get them fairly frequently….

Sometimes we have a pair but more often than not it’s just a singleton. Compared to the usual greys these little chaps stick out like a sore thumb.

Great To See My Taxes At Work


For some days now we have been warned that our road is to be closed for two days. Presumably to fix the surface which has been abysmal for getting on for thirty plus years.5j7a7715-1

Along with several neighbours, I moved my car off my driveway the night before so that we wouldn’t be stranded during the upcoming works.

The picture was taken around lunchtime. By sunset this evening there was still no sign of any activity.

The yellow sign is the only notification we, the residents, received that any works were planned.

sign

I rang the number shown, only to be informed that the number had been replaced by a new number !!!

For those interested the new number is 0300 555 1388

Eventually I spoke to a very pleasant young lady and  I had explained that I have a delivery scheduled. That schedule had taken into account their published road closure. And, since their work schedule seems to be something of a moveable feast, I was concerned that my delivery could be jeopardised. Especially, if the carrier cannot get access to my house driveway. I suspect the carrier may baulk at having to carry my goods a couple of hundred yards. Especially as the multiple packages will be a two-man lift.

I also queried why no leaflet drop had been made informing the residents that they would be stranded for two days. The lady that lives opposite does not go out often and would likely not have seen the sign. Apparently, leaflet drops aren’t always made, but had there been any businesses in our road then there probably would have been one.

So, let’s worry about the businesses but not individuals.

Another thing I was told during the call is that they often allow a day either side of a project schedule and when she checked her system she informed me that the works were actually due to start yesterday. So, in essence, they are two days behind schedule.

Aforementioned pleasant lady informed me that my query/ concern would be forwarded to the engineer responsible for these works. Presumably to come back to me with their plans.

At the time of writing I have received only an acknowledgment email along with a reference number.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

 

Crookhorn Post Office


Fuming !!!

Have just been to Crookhorn Post Office to post a parcel.

Stood in the queue for only a minute, was two from the counter. The cashier completed serving the lady at the counter and announced that she was going to have to stop serving as there was a task she had to complete by 12:00.

The time, on the Post Office clock was 11:55

The lady in front of me explained that she only had two parcels. This cut no ice with the cashier who just confirmed that she couldn’t take the parcels. I received the same response when I challenged her.

The lady with the two small parcels left, muttering “Unbelievable”, as did I with my single parcel. I was muttering something much stronger.

I took myself off to Waterlooville Post Office where, I had been informed, they were open until 12:30.

I paid the £0.70 for parking and arrived at the doors of the post office to be confronted with a queue snaking its way to 3 cashiers. I joined the queue and waited a few minutes with no movement. I heard someone announce that the post office would close in 20 minutes. I estimated it would take at least 40 minutes, based on the number of folks in the queue, for me to get to the counter. Assuming that each cashier would take a minimum of two minutes per customer. Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared to wait another twenty minutes and then be told they were closing, so I took myself home

Apparently the Crookhorn Post Office is open until 12:30 ????

The following screenshot is taken from this web page The situation is worse when you look at the Post Offices own website which claims the post office is open until 22:00.

crookhornpostoffice

In my opinion, if the Post Office publishes opening hours through to 12:00 then they should continue to offer that service right to the wire. If there is a reason why they cannot honour the published hours then please amend the opening times accordingly.

Come on Post Office – Get your act together.

 

 

Was An Opportunity Missed ?


On Tuesday 5th July, 22 Landscape Architects and invited guests from across the county visited the West of Waterlooville development to see best practice in Sustainable Urban Drainage systems (SUDs). The 247 hectare site has a custom designed infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and promote biodiversity. Rain water is collected in channels […]

via SUDs Explored — West of Waterlooville

It is a well-known fact that many of the flood problems around the UK have been exacerbated by the continual building of large housing estates and associated road systems. These prevent the normal, slow soak away of rain water. Instead the water is channeled away via drains and gutters, moving the water down stream at an ever-increasing speed and volume. Ultimately dumping the water into river systems that never had to cope with this level of flow before.

So I am pleased that the developers were ahead of the game when planning the drainage system for the West of Waterlooville site. I would have expected nothing less.

However, in these environmentally aware times, we are always being encouraged to conserve water. So why does all of this carefully controlled “filtered” waste water get channeled out to sea ?

Surely, if the developers were so ahead of the game they would have designed the drainage system so that the water was pumped away to local reservoirs.

Similarly, I would expect the Welbourne developers would be looking hard at the drainage and waste water management.

 

View From The Conservatory


So, I hear this commotion going on over my head. Thinking it’s a couple of fat pigeons I look up and what do I see.

Daisy In A Tree
You lookin’ at me ?

Yep, my neighbour’s cat, Daisy, about eight feet up. Presumably, stalking the birds, hence all the noise.

AppleBlossom
Apple Blossom

I’ve also included this archive shot of some Apple Blossom. Since I have culled the branches of our tree the only blossom is way out of reach for me, photographically speaking. So, as the saying goes, here’s one I prepared earlier.

Thirsty
The Leaf Cutter

And to close, a couple of squirrel shots. We had been wondering what was trimming the tops from our plant leaves. Thinking it was probably beetles, but really surprised to find it is the squirrels. All that leaf cutting obviously makes them thirsty but that’s a long stretch.

View From The Conservatory


Just thought I’d share a picture of these two guys.

finches
Goldfinches

We rarely see Goldfinches in our garden, just maybe once or twice a year, and this is the first time I have managed to get a photo. The focus is a bit soft due to the effect of shooting through double glazing and being at full zoom.

Chuffed


Feeling chuffed with myself due to some recognition that I have received over the last few days for photos that I posted on the Photography Cafe website.

I thought I would post the photos here for your perusal ….

SBI Orion, Fremantle, Western Australia
Sunset, Indian Ocean, Western Australia
Chateau, Barbezieres, France
Abbey Church, New Norcia, Western Australia
Magpie-lark, New Norcia, Western Australia
Reflections, Ruffec, France
Greenfinch, Waterlooville, England

View From The Conservatory


I just saw my first ever Firecrest, I think !

Until today I didn’t even know they existed. Such a tiny bird, flying into the garden with a bunch of tits. I guess it was trying to lose itself in the crowds, if it hadn’t been for that bright head cap I wouldn’t have noticed that there was an interloper.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture as the visit was so fleeting.

Has anyone else seen one of these in the Waterlooville area?

Catch These Bastards


http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/news-and-appeals/2016/january/14012016-robbery-waterlooville-44160019000

We are appealing for witnesses after an 84-year-old man was assaulted and then robbed in his own home by three men in Hazelton Way, Cowplain at around 6pm yesterday, January 13.

It has been reported that one man entered his house by breaking in the back door while he was in his lounge watching television and sleeping.

The man has then tried to confuse the elderly gentleman by telling him to look at the damage and asking for £50.

Two other men then arrive and assault the elderly man, knocking him to the floor, before stealing his wallet.

Man 1 is described as:

White
Aged mid 20s 
Short dark wavy hair 
5 ft 6 in 
Medium build 
Clean shaven 
Wearing a dark-coloured clothing and footwear

Man 2 is described as:

White 
Aged mid 20s
Muscular stocky build 
Clean Shaven 
Dark curly hair 
Local accent 
Wearing a black army style jacket and dark trousers and heavy boots

Man 3 is described as:

White
Aged mid 20s
5 ft 8 in 
Slight build 
Dark hair
Wearing a dark bobble hat

Detective Constable Barry Martin from the Eastern Investigations Team said: “We are appealing to anyone who saw these males in the vicinity of Hazelton Way on Wednesday or anyone who recognises these descriptions.

“This is a despicable crime committed by three men who targeted an elderly man in his home. If anyone has any information about this incident please call 101 and quote 44160019000.”

RMS Number: 44160019000

%d bloggers like this: