Review of 2018 : April

Spring finally arrived, though would very quickly be usurped by what would feel like the endless Summer. The month began with a trip to Wythall, followed a few days later by High Wycombe - dyke, chair museum and all. Melton Mowbray was also visited, though no pork pies were consumed.

At the end of the month came a couple of canal walks, both along the Trent & Mersey Canal. First in Willington and then in Stoke-on-Trent (plus also a short walk on the Caldon Canal). The city and it's railways were also of interest.

Song of the month was "invisible chains" by Mood Robot.

Creating a Christmas card on an IBM 1401

Back in the days of "old iron", when computers filled large rooms and printers were huge noisy affairs... creating novelty calenders and cards was quite the thing. The Snoopy calender from 1969 was something every "real programmer" had apparently. But how about using an IBM 1401 mainframe (and a 1403 printer) to create a greeting card for Christmas?

Ken Shirriff (who's blog is one of the best out there) took up the challenge. It's not quite as simple as it sounds as the card needs to be folded and so normal printed text would be sideways. Here is how to do it using BDCDIC characters. The code is provided in case you have a handy IBM 1401 yourself (unfortunately I don't). Or just watch the video below.

Review of 2018 : March

The weather turned bad in March but despite the snow i was still able to make a number of trips. At the start of the month came short-range trips to Earlswood and Dorridge. Later on in the month I went to Banbury intending to do a canal walk but as it was pouring down I went to Haddenham instead.

Mid-month I made my first trip to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway this year for it's diesel locomotive event, which was interesting considering the frequent blizzards. At the end of the month came two canal walks, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Avlechurch and the Oxford Canal in Banbury.

Song of the month was "how do you sleep" by Chatham Rise.

Northampton

Today I visited Northampton for the first time and did some decent waterway walking along the river Nene and the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Maybe in parts not the most scenic of waterways but it can't always be a rural idyll, however some parts were indeed jolly nice. Definitely a place that calls for more exploring. You can see my waterway photos here.

Review of 2018 : February

The shortest month but so much activity packed into it. I travelled to Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands, two delightful villages which sound like characters or settings in a 1930s crime novel. I also headed to London and visited the Clapham South underground shelter, the latest Hidden London tour I have done.

After this came a visit to Stafford and then a first visit to the fine city of Sheffield, including a visit to the splendid Emergency Services Museum.

Song of the month was "infinite repeats" by Freeweights.