» by ChrisM February 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm » Comments (0)

We need to replace two of the big light fittings in our flat. For some reason, both of the LED powered ones we had installed when the apartment was built ...more »

» by ChrisM October 28th, 2009 at 11:04 pm » Comments (0)

Just finished reading the BBC's article on President Sarkozy's  incredibly expensive shower that he never used whilst his country held the EU presidency. Now OK, our own bath doesn't have ...more »

» by ChrisM October 24th, 2009 at 1:23 am » Comments (0)

As I mentioned in the previous tweet/post here on the blog, a cold snap (by Western standards) has hit Astana, with temperatures dipping into the minus numbers, and Anna now ...more »

» by ChrisM October 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 am » Comments (0)

In a little over 24 hours, Irina's parents (& Igor and Natalya who went with them) will return from their vacation holiday in Turkey. This means that Irina has been ...more »

» by ChrisM August 24th, 2009 at 11:17 am » Comments (0)

We might need to look for a new tv stand sometime. Why? I think the occasional crick in my neck that I have recently started to get (suffer was my ...more »

» by ChrisM August 15th, 2009 at 6:06 pm » Comments (0)

OK, to a copper kitchen sinks might not seem the most likely of swag bag contents, but whilst looking up what the word swag meant in different English speaking countries, ...more »

» by ChrisM August 5th, 2009 at 10:36 pm » Comments (0)

So with Autumn and then Winter fast approaching, it will soon be the time to get the old Winter boots out, dust off the fur coat (yes, I'm not huge ...more »

» by ChrisM August 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm » Comments (0)

So, it has been a long time since we met up with DanC and his clan. He now works something like six weeks out of every eight over in another ...more »

» by ChrisM March 11th, 2009 at 2:08 pm » Comments (0)

As I look through the Window Blinds in the upstairs study, I see a green hillside covered in mist (or is that fog, I can never remember when to use ...more »

» by ChrisM March 11th, 2009 at 1:11 pm » Comments (0)

OK, so I was not necessarily planning to go and buy a holiday in a far off land where Apricot trees happily grow, but the communication abilities of the older ...more »

» by ChrisM January 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm » Comments (0)

One giant space for baby clothes... So, the changes have begun in the bedroom (no sniggering at the back there...) After washing all the clothes, Irina has started to put ...more »

» by ChrisM December 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm » Comments (0)

Irina has asked for all British tap manufacturers to take note - STOP selling individual taps - bathroom faucets, kitchen sink taps anywhere where your hands come into contact with ...more »

» by ChrisM December 5th, 2008 at 12:30 am » Comments (0)

It has been quite a packed week, with returning from Cheltenham, to registering with and seeing all sorts of baby-related medical professionals. As I mentioned previously, today is Mum's birthday ...more »

» by ChrisM December 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 pm » Comments (0)

Another weekend gone, without much posting once more. The reason this time? We went over to Evesham to see Dad, and then on to Cheltenham and Cirencester to see a ...more »

» by ChrisM October 28th, 2008 at 3:04 am » Comments (0)

Readers of our friend Tom's blog ( http://lifeof2me.blogspot.com/ ) may have noticed that posting has slowed down a little recently. With his multiple projects (teaching, making and selling his clothing ...more »

» by ChrisM October 6th, 2008 at 4:12 am » Comments (0)

I'll post more details later, but I have been testing the UTF-8 converter plugin that I previously mentioned (see the Ooops - Sorry For All The ??? post). I used ...more »

» by ChrisM July 16th, 2008 at 2:10 am » Comments (0)

Recently we have been really lucky with the electricity; last year we were having semi-regular power cuts, and very regular dips in the voltage, enough to cause electrical equipment to ...more »

» by ChrisM July 10th, 2008 at 3:27 am » Comments (2)

I am looking forward to our next trip to Britain already. Although we don't know the dates yet, it will be good to catch up with friends, see Mum and ...more »

» by ChrisM July 2nd, 2008 at 4:35 am » Comments (0)

Irina's parents managed to finish the decorating being done in their house just in time to welcome some family members who had travelled over for her dad's 60th birthday. I'll ...more »

» by ChrisM June 18th, 2008 at 11:44 pm » Comments (0)

Whichever type of pollen my hay fever reacts to is currently in the air here in Astana. Although the severity has dropped off over the years, I still have issues ...more »