StevieM

Today, it is exactly one month since my little dog, Jess, died in a tragic accident, and it has been the longest (and loneliest) month of my life. I know not everyone will understand, but she was more to me than just a dog; closer even than a best friend. We were like, and I know it’s clichéd, but we were like soulmates. We fitted together so well and each made the other’s life more complete. We were together for over 16½ years (longer than many marriages) and now it feels like a piece of me is missing. She was the only one who has ever really been ‘inside my bubble’ - even though she was in a bubble of her own. I have to say that I’m coping better than I thought I would. I’ve been preparing myself for a few years as she got older. There were a few occasions when I didn’t think she was going to recover from one of her seizures, but she always bounced back. The vets were astonished at how healthy she was at 17! I just wasn’t prepared for losing her so suddenly the way that I did. Looking back over old photos and videos has really helped me to get by. I can’t help but smile and laugh when I think about some of things she did. She was a proper little character who was at her happiest when she was in a pub. Often, she would refuse to walk past them… …or leave again. I’m so glad that we made the most of the start of the summer holidays, including the EduBytes meet-up in Salisbury so at least a few of you got to meet her. After that, we went to stay with friends in Brighton and Caerphilly, and spent two days behind the bar at the Worcester Beer Festival. Well, I was behind the bar; Jess was under the table (and not for the first time!). The last photo I took of her was with my friends’ two children. Even though she was getting old and tired, it’s clear to see just how happy she was. She made the most of life right up until the end. Now I’ve got to get used to her not being around. It’s been a long and lonely first month and I’ve still got the rest of forever without her.

And an @Oracle. So that makes 9 humans, 2 mystics, a Pokémon, a Dalek and a Jess! EDIT: Hahaha! Autocorrect added an accent to the e in Pokémon. I thought it was just a mark on the screen at first.

I'm not sure Jess realises that she's not actually a human, to be honest. She certainly prefers the company of humans to other dogs.

I've got one* - from EDIT 2014 if I remember correctly. How much is it worth? *And I am talking lanyards not leotards now!

Thanks, all, for a lovely afternoon. It was great chatting in real-time... with the freedom to go off topic despite sitting next to two mods. Jess thoroughly enjoyed herself, although she looks a little subdued in @elsiegee40's picture. She's put in a request for the presence of beer, next time. We're now pitched up on a little site in Pitton, just outside Salisbury. Jess has already crashed out in the tent. Special thanks to our host @AJWhite1970.

Thanks @LeMarchand, but I've just found them.

Good morning, campers! Hi-de-hi... Just about to start loading up the car. Aiming to leave about 9.30 after a quick shower and a slow walk (read drag) with Jess. @witch - If you haven't already set off, could you do me a favour and bring a few poo bags, please? I'm not quite as organised as I'd hoped and only have a couple in my pocket.

Well, I did it. I got organised...sort of. Arrived at Ludlow campsite just before 10pm. Currently in my tent enjoying a bottle of Dunkerton's Black Fox Cider. Just the one, though; I've got an early start in the morning. Nooooooooo!!! I was really looking forward to meeting you, too. Hope everything is ok and it's not bad family reasons. Nooooooooo!!! (again) OI! @X-13! If I can get my backside down all the way from Liverpool, you ain't got NO excuse, boy. Hop to it.

Right! Ludlow campsite for overnight stopover - booked Degus - cage cleaned and care arranged Packing - started (to be continued when I get back from our Leavers' Celebration) That just leaves a quick tidy round the house, loading up the car, and a visit to see my mum after school tomorrow before I head off. I may just get to the campsite this side of midnight tomorrow.

I read this on iSpy as 'EduGeek Blue & Yellow Leotard'!

Getting back to topic, I've been with Ebico for almost 10 years. Ebico was the UK's first 'Not-for-profit' energy supplier, with an emphasis on supporting those affected by fuel poverty. Customer service is first rate; I've never had to wait more than about 5 rings to have my call answered - by a human! It used to partner with SSE, when it offered one simple tariff regardless of how much energy you used or your method of payment - e.g. pre-payment meters cost the same as direct debit - with no daily standing charge. Now it partners with Robin Hood Energy (also a not-for-profit supplier) and offers several plans to suit different needs. I'm still on the Zero standing charge one as that is best for me (although I've noticed they now also do a Zero Green tariff). Definitely worth a look. https://ebico.org.uk/

Hmmm... That could be a possibility. I am hoping to camp overnight on the way down and I'll need something to brew my morning coffee on.

Just Witch and Oracle? What about Soothsayer and Mystic Mog for a full compliment of 'seers'?

I thought about that. That's why I waited until this morning to post as I wanted to check with our admin office first. All boxes ticked for import, including Student Contacts. The contacts have been imported, just not their addresses.

I spent the entire day on Friday trying to get my head around exactly what has happened and, for us at least, the problem goes way beyond the 'matching records' bug being touted by Capita. The database diagnostics reported 178 potential issues, 131 of which are tagged [99]. Exactly 100 are flagged with 'No Contact Address' - Contacts already on our system did have an address before the import, but don't have anymore. I've just been over to our infant school to have a quick look at their system and the few contacts that I checked did have an address. Looking at the CTF xml file, the contact address fields are either populated with an actual address or are flagged as true. In either case, it appears that the address from the CTF is listed in the Proposed address column of the diagnostic report, but it has not been imported. This affects contacts that are new to our database - not just matching ones. 25 are flagged with 'Incorrect Contact Link' - Most of these actually appear to be correct (although we will double check, of course). At least two results report a link that doesn't actually exist in either the contact's or the pupil's record. The remaining 6 results relate to two contacts, each flagged with 'Incorrect Contact Address', 'Require New Contact Record for Applicant' and 'Contact Tel No'. One has recently moved house and, for the other, the proposed address is identical to the current address. Is anybody experiencing problems like these that affect new contacts?

Beer flavoured pop?

We are having it installed in September. I went to have a look at it in a local high school and it asked if I would like to be remembered for future visits. If it didn't ask your DPO's permission, it may be in need of an update.

Really? All the way from here for £9? Oh, the Waterloo in London. I had a look on the split ticket site and I could go from Liverpool via Newport (S. Wales) for £47! Not that I'm going to, but that's a bit different from what National Rail quoted.

If that is the case, is it not possible (or even likely) that it may identify incorrect addresses as correct addresses?

No, they have a rope with hoops that they all hold on to. Anyways, back on topic - With all this talk about trains and walking buses, I did a quick check to see just how much it would cost for me to get the train to Salisbury next Thursday. The cheapest ticket was £117.20... one way! Car and a campsite it is, then.

Are you supplying the hi-viz tabards or will people have to bring their own? We have a line of pre-school toddlers who waddle past every day in their bright yellow vests, with an adult at the front. They look like a row of ducklings. Cuteness overload!

@tech-man - Can you confirm whether or not your DM found issues that were caused by the bug but not detected by the V4/24157 diagnostic?

Coolio! I've found a campsite near Ludlow (which is about halfway) where I can stop over for the night on the way down. Then I can take a leisurely drive to get to Salisbury around lunchtime. By the way, I'll have Jessie Dog with me. Hope that's ok with everyone.

Can I just ask, what time is everyone getting there*? *(and where is 'there', exactly?)

Anyone know where I can get a scramble suit? :shudder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fac6aHFa_k