About Barrie

Digital Storyteller, Media Trainer, Hill Walker, Cyclist, Husband, Father, Grandad, Christian, Blogger, Writer, Baby Boomer, Mac Head, Photographer

Tornado – First Trip



Tornado – First Trip

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser


I was on York Station this morning for the first Charter Train hauled by the brand new steam loco “Tornado”
It left a few minutes late on it’s way to Newcastle amid clouds of smoke and steam. I sure they opened every valve possible to create the big scene we all witnessed.
The platforms were filled with enthusiasts and well wishers who’s come to glimpse the unique event. It could be the last mainline steam loco ever built and certainly the only one in the 21st century so far.
Great site

Nosey intercessors?

I was amused earlier today when I looked at a website set up to encourage people to PRAY.

Half way down the page there’s an invitation to download a leaflet to guide people, unused to praying, through the process. A typo meant it read like this:-

What to do:
Find a time and a place that will suit you.
Use the tryseven links, or download the tryprying booklet and read it one day at a time.
Try to keep going for a week, but don’t feel guilty if you miss a day.
You might like to tell a friend you are doing this and talk about how it is going.

So if you want to be nosey AND tell your friends what you’re doing the results may be more surprising than if you simply spoke to God for a week.

In the event I suggest praying could be an interesting adventure. The site has been corrected now – after I alerted the organisers to their mistake – so everything you need to get started is here.

The Cloud darkens

Google plans to make PCs history | Technology | The Observer

I’ve been very ethusiastic about holding my data in The Cloud, but the prospect of Google locking up my operating system, data and applications is a step too far. It’s not democratic; I would have no real say over how things work and it  feels too “big brother”. I love the convenience of “The Cloud”, but I’m beginning to think again about  the implications.

Ashamed of the BBC

As a former BBC employee I am ashamed of the decision not to broadcast an appeal by the DEC for aid for the Palestinian people of Gaza.
Does impartiality come into this decision? Are the Isreali victims of the ongoing dispute in the same need as those in Gaza whose infrastructure and resources have been smashed. Israel is a relatively wealthy nation and able to look after it’s own. The people of Gaza not so.
Jesus set the example that we should always be on the side of the poor.
So come on Mark Thompson. Be merciful and allow the DEC to make its appeal as a public service to the British people who think you should.