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You know how it is on a Sunday. Footloose and fancy free, the day stretching out before you to do with whatever you please. I'd washed and vac'd the motor on Saturday, so no vehicular jobs in the offing. Obviously there was beer planned for later in the day, so there was a bit of a morning gap to fill. My beady little eyes fell onto Pup 2. More to the point, his completely matted fur. "I know, let's modify the dog!" I started out with good intentions and a pair of sharp scissors, but when I got stuck in, this was always going to be a hopeless task. He was one giant (well, tiny really) mass of matted fur with only his head, the middle of his back and what passes for a tail, tangle free. Hmm, mechanical help required, out with the hair trimmers. So from this...  We went "Rat Look"!  He may have a temporary image problem but he's got to feel better with all that mess cut out. I was thinking of leaving him mohican but that was deemed to look even sillier.  Thing that gets me is how the PO had allowed him to get in such a state in only a few weeks. It's only ten minutes with a brush each day (or not now, in his case) to keep them tangle free. |
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Last Edit: Apr 18, 2016 0:18:24 GMT by georgeb
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Considering that it may get a tad warmer over there than here in Blighty he probably feels a lot cooler too. Careful though George or you might slide into MX5 driving, poodle parlour ownership!  |
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Apr 18, 2016 14:05:22 GMT
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So the Pooch has been lightened and aero-improved - definitely a "Go-Faster" modification!......(and MX 5 ownership is a bonus for fun motoring not a lifestyle choice for pampered pooch owners......)
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Apr 18, 2016 21:57:56 GMT
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Considering that it may get a tad warmer over there than here in Blighty he probably feels a lot cooler too. Careful though George or you might slide into MX5 driving, poodle parlour ownership! So the Pooch has been lightened and aero-improved - definitely a "Go-Faster" modification!......(and MX 5 ownership is a bonus for fun motoring not a lifestyle choice for pampered pooch owners......) The longer term plan is for a lowrider, like this...  Shih Tzu, Layin' Frame!but that may take a day or two now. Yes, got to be cooler, especially as we're now in the hottest part of the year as we wind up for a new typhoon season. That reminds me, we better think of some way of lashing him down on the balcony or he'll be gone! As to a grooming parlour, it's possible, but I reckon there's a nice little sideline to go with it. "Here you are Mrs Shanchez, that'll be one dollar for Cutie-Pie's haircut and may I interest you in this handy little book of canine recipes, 'A Hundred and One Ways to Enjoy Your Dog"? A snip at only five dollar" Lets face it, with the price of MX5s here, I'll need every penny I can get!  |
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Last Edit: Apr 18, 2016 21:59:11 GMT by georgeb
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Thot there'd be a hair o' the dog quip on here be now.......
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You may, or may not, be aware that it is currently the school summer holiday here in the ol' Republic and being as we've had no notification from school as to when this ends, I have no idea how long they are off for. The one thing you can guarantee is that it will start before the typhoon season, so they can have plenty of closures!  Anyway, I've cooked up an idea to kill a morning and it's something I've fancied doing for a while. A trip on the Pasig River Bus. Good eh? However, as with all things Philippine, a certain amount of pre-planning is needed. For those of you that don't know, the Pasig is a delightful and picturesque waterway that flows gently through the environs of the capital from the lake of Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, emptying out between the Manila Container Terminal (that really needs a railway - don't ask) and Manila South Port. Actually, apart from the last bit, that entire sentence was a lie and by the time it reaches the sea, I reckon a boat is unnecessary as you could probably walk across it. But, in the same way I like trains, river boats also let you see parts of a city that wouldn't ordinarily be visible even though, in this case, it may not be a pretty sight. So where to begin? First things first, let's have a look at the boats themselves...  Doesn't look too shabby, does it? Then you realise that this is the type of boat used the last time the ferry ran, before it went tits up in 2011, so now what you have is these...  Which went into service in 2014 when it restarted. "Hang on" you cry, "that looks like someone's just stapled an old bus onto a boat" and a very astute observation you will have made as well. For that is indeed, exactly what it is. Apparently the original ones are mouldering away somewhere upriver. As an aside, Manila's Mayoral motto is "Forwards Ever, Backwards Never". So that's working well then. Okay, so having seen your intended mode of transport, where can we get one from? This I already know, as the seawards terminal happens to be Plaza Maxico, see?  This is handily situated behind the immigration building in Intramuros, so I've seen it when having a snout whilst awaiting visas. Brilliant, handy for Malate, there's secure parking and plenty of good choices for lunch when we get back. So far, so good. Next, onto Google for 'Pasig River Ferry Timetable'. Poor deluded fool. This request directs me to two possible sources of information. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, who oversee operations and Wikipedia, that font of all knowledge. Gotta be MMDA, right? They run the bloody things. This site helpfully tells me how much the fares are (or were in 2014), it also tells me that the first service is 6am, the last being 4.15pm, although there's an uncorroborated rumour that's been extended to 6pm. It also gives me an out of date list of ferry stations, 7 instead of the 11 it now boasts, but absolutely no intermediate departure times, not even 'hourly' or whatever. It doen't even tell you how long the end-to-end journey time is. Amazing when you think that MMDA is currently actively encouraging users to commute via ferry rather than road. A little clue as to how would be useful, but no, like Manila taxi fares, shrouded in mystery. Although, after the licence caper, I really should have known better than to expect anything of any use on a government website. How's about Wiki then? Well, if I had wanted to get one in 2007, then fine. Nine years later, not so much. So now I'll have to drive down to Intramuros to see if there's a timetable at the station, then, if there is, work out if the trip is feasible in terms of return times. This is not because we'll be in a rush, but that the thought of sharing a small water craft with two hungry Filipinas does not bear countenance. In addition, the intermediate stops do not look like the sort of places an ageing White Guy and two pretty teenage girls really want to be getting off for a food hunt. So basically, the whole feasibility of the trip revolves around food. Is the duration short enough, having shovelled breakfast into them, to get the 13 kms each way, and back to Intramuros in time for lunch, before they start eating seats and things? Basically, unless I can assure them of a good (read Large) and more importantly, timely lunch, then the whole thing's a non-starter. And that's the one thing I cannot, so far, promise. Nobody said it would be easy! |
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Thot there'd be a hair o' the dog quip on here be now....... The trick is never to stop drinking quite long enough to need one! |
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,951
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Oh goody, Road Trip! P. |
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Apr 21, 2016 11:15:24 GMT
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Oh goody, Road Trip! P. Looks that way. I'll head over early tomorrow with Pup 1 so a) I can see if there's a timetable and b) he can have a dump in Plaza Mexico. Multi-tasking at its best. |
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Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,881
Club RR Member Number: 15
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Apr 21, 2016 11:17:50 GMT
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Y For those of you that don't know, the Pasig is a delightful and picturesque waterway that flows gently through the environs of the capital from the lake of Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, emptying out between the Manila Container Terminal (that really needs a railway - don't ask) and Manila South Port. Actually, apart from the last bit, that entire sentence was a lie and by the time it reaches the sea, I reckon a boat is unnecessary as you could probably walk across it. The more you tell us about Manila the more it sounds like a modern version of Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork. The people, the bureaucracy, the bumbling policemen, the infrastructure and now finally a river, like the mighty Ankh, that can catch fire in the summer heat |
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here |
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Apr 21, 2016 12:10:38 GMT
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Y For those of you that don't know, the Pasig is a delightful and picturesque waterway that flows gently through the environs of the capital from the lake of Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, emptying out between the Manila Container Terminal (that really needs a railway - don't ask) and Manila South Port. Actually, apart from the last bit, that entire sentence was a lie and by the time it reaches the sea, I reckon a boat is unnecessary as you could probably walk across it. The more you tell us about Manila the more it sounds like a modern version of Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork. The people, the bureaucracy, the bumbling policemen, the infrastructure and now finally a river, like the mighty Ankh, that can catch fire in the summer heat Ha - exactly what I thought as soon as I read about walking across the river! |
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Y For those of you that don't know, the Pasig is a delightful and picturesque waterway that flows gently through the environs of the capital from the lake of Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay, emptying out between the Manila Container Terminal (that really needs a railway - don't ask) and Manila South Port. Actually, apart from the last bit, that entire sentence was a lie and by the time it reaches the sea, I reckon a boat is unnecessary as you could probably walk across it. The more you tell us about Manila the more it sounds like a modern version of Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork. The people, the bureaucracy, the bumbling policemen, the infrastructure and now finally a river, like the mighty Ankh, that can catch fire in the summer heat Ha - exactly what I thought as soon as I read about walking across the river! God I'm slow. I'm a huge reader, but for some reason I'd managed to completely miss the blindingly obvious similarities between Ankh-Morpork and Manila. They are indeed, one and the same! Well spotted. |
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logicaluk
Posted a lot
Every days a school day round here
Posts: 1,373
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Apr 22, 2016 18:32:41 GMT
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Maybe that's where sir terry got the idea, havent got a brass bridge have you?
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Apr 22, 2016 18:46:34 GMT
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Klax towers?...
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Apr 22, 2016 23:57:30 GMT
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Maybe that's where sir terry got the idea, havent got a brass bridge have you? A brass bridge would last around ten minutes here. A few years ago, they were tarting up the "Manila Baywalk" (before a typhoon came and dug it all up again) and they decided to put several bronze statues along it to depict the Philippines long history of seafaring. Within a month there were only the bits left where they attached to the concrete. So instead we had several pairs of feet commemorating the even longer history of Filipino's nicking stuff! I really wish we had something that efficient. Instead we get Globe Telecom, God help us. There's a story about them on page 14 of this thread. Never had that problem with Klax!  Right, off out now to do the ferry recce. If I can ever wake the bloody pup! |
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Last Edit: Apr 23, 2016 0:01:44 GMT by georgeb
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Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,881
Club RR Member Number: 15
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It was the Thieves Guild what done it! But fear not dayuhan cos Manila's finest i.e. Sergeant Fred Colon-Sanchez and Corporal Cecil Wormborough St. John "Nobby" Nobbs-Sanchez are hot on the case, mumping drinks from bars and avoiding promising leads. I take it they never found the perps? |
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here |
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Apr 23, 2016 13:01:10 GMT
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set constable Detritus on the case, he'll soon find them, and shoot them with his crossbow...
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Apr 23, 2016 17:07:05 GMT
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I really wish we had something that efficient. Instead we get Globe Telecom, God help us. There's a story about them on page 14 of this thread. Never had that problem with Klax! Right, off out now to do the ferry recce. If I can ever wake the bloody pup! You know what, after I wrote that I realised klax was probably too efficient! |
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Apr 23, 2016 23:16:01 GMT
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I take it they never found the perps? No, but rumour has it that Mr Shanchez's wooden cart is sporting some pimp new wheels. set constable Detritus on the case, he'll soon find them, and shoot them with his crossbow... And talking of Detritus, we went to the Pasig yesterday. You know what, after I wrote that I realised klax was probably too efficient! See, you're getting the hang of this place now! Anyways up, we hit the trail yesterday morning, me and Pup 1, in search of knowledge and enlightenment. Not too sure we got either. You decide! |
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Last Edit: Apr 23, 2016 23:17:40 GMT by georgeb
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Ooh, and while I think on, the fountain in Remedios Circle was operational yesterday. Very pretty. You'll be aware, of course that Remedios Circle is where Cafe Adriatico is situated, an area that Wiki will tell us "...after the war...became a center for prostitution, vagrancy and petty crime". Nice to see in this uncertain world, some things remain constant. Anyway, recently they hoiked Mr del Pilar off his plinth in the middle, started digging the place up and yesterday, the fountain that replaced him was finally and officially fired up. The Circle has had a serious makeover, what with new paving, water flying around, lush palm trees and pretty variegated bushes, as you sit there nursing your cold one, you could almost imagine yourself in a normal city. Now, no-one could ever call me cynical but, there is a huge poster strung between two of our new palms, it reads, "Another Priority Project of Mayor Joseph 'Erap' Estrada". So it opened yesterday and how long to the elections? Oh yes, fifteen days now, if I remember rightly. Is he running again? Why yes, yes he is. And how many years has Erap been Mayor? Ah, that'll be three. Some bleedin' priority! It must make the squatters who live only a few hundred metres away feel really good that a fountain is a priority over them. But then, they haven't got a vote anyway. I'll get some pics today. And whilst we're on about Erap. Putting aside the fact that he was a hugely popular film star and ignoring the fact that he was also President of the Republic, whilst turning a blind eye to his downfall, subsequent arrest and life sentence on corruption charges...  I just really couldn't vote for a guy who looks like he'd be right at home hanging around outside school gates! And staying on things political, let's have a quick look at our presidential hopefuls as the race hots up. Duterte - Current Mayor of Davao in Mindanao and leader of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) who allegedly administer swift justice to criminals (over 1,700 of them apparently) and not a few critical journalists as well. I'm not too worried about this latter allegation because it could be said that the standard of investigative journalism in the Philippines boarders on the criminal itself. Seems he wants to be president because the Davao Gulf is rapidly filling up and Manila Bay has much more room for corpses. Currently joint lead in the polls. Binay - Current Vice-President and ex-mayor of Makati. Was recently cleared of massive corruption charges, but it seems the case has been resurrected and is now just waiting in the wings. Was it him? I couldn't possibly comment but you don't get fabulously wealthy when you claim the only form of income is from your wife's florist shop. His son took over as mayor, but got thrown out. Started out favourite but has slumped into third place. Poe - Is Grace an alien? Currently a senator but is in the middle of a storm surrounding the fact that she may not even qualify as Filipino, a bit of a pre-requisite for president I would have thought. Seems to be due to dual nationality at some point and living in the States for a while. But nobody's really sure. Joint lead with Duterte. Santiago - Poor old Miriam. She's got Stage 4 lung cancer but, like the old man in "Holy Grail", keeps chanting "...but I'm getting better"! Languishing in fourth position. Roxas - Ex-all sorts of things, and has the dubious luck of being officially endorsed by the current president, Aquino. A sure-fire kiss of death. Whilst he was Minister of the Interior, he gave much of Metro Manila the transportation systems we see today. A complete and utter shambles! I assume he's fifth but as he's so innocuous, he's never mentioned. So there you go. Two, who virtually anywhere else in the world would be in gaol, one with dubious nationality, one who could drop dead any moment and a total incompetent. Who will be the people's choice. Watch this space! |
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Last Edit: Apr 24, 2016 20:07:01 GMT by georgeb
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