Little Shubunkin

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

Christmas! The atmosphere, the spirit, the feeling of goodwill, the songs, dinner, presents, cards, etc.

And if it snows, so much the better.

Have you ever been camping?

I used to go camping a lot, to the English Lake District or abroad to France.

The last time was in 2009 on honeymoon in France.

Nowadays I prefer the comfort of a hotel room.

When do you feel most productive?

On a good day, I like to get out. One of our ‘hobbies’ is to visit churches and churchyards. I also like photography, so I can combine the interests.

Here is a photo of Orton Church of England church, with its distinctive white tower.

There are three churches in Orton. One is Anglican (pictured), one is Methodist, and one is Pentecostal/Charismatic. It’s the last of these that we attended, when we lived in Orton.

What are your favorite emojis?

These…

🙏🏼👋🏻✌🏻😊😉😍😁🌻🌼🌹🌺🌷💐🌸

Photo below was shot in Wakefield Trinity Centre in 2019.

What topics do you like to discuss?

I like philosophy, but I prefer to do it rather than talk about it.

I like photography, but I prefer to do it rather than talk about it.

I like cooking, but I prefer…Well, you get the idea.

These (and many other) things bring me joy.

When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?

In 2020, I inherited a sum of money from my dear late mother. We spent about 80% of it on an apartment that I never viewed in person. 1. I was shielding from COVID, 2. My wife visited the place, and I trusted her judgement.

How did it work out? The place is nice and adequate for our needs. The seller had the place decorated and carpeted before we moved in. The Housing Association (leaseholders) paid for a new central heating boiler. That was a boon.

So, the place is nice, and when I get a shed, it’ll be nicer. 😄

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

I once worked for a security firm. I was based at a computer factory where most of the night-shift workers slept in an upstairs canteen. Below was a cloakroom where people used to smoke cigarettes.

One night, I was alerted to a fire in the cloakroom. I had a look. The fire had started in a wastebasket and flames were up to the ceiling. I radioed for the alarm to be sounded, but none was. I radioed again, and still no alarm.

I looked for a fire extinguisher and grabbed one off the wall. I took it into the burning room and emptied it on the fire. Then I went out and found another fire extinguisher and put out the fire.

By the time the fire brigade arrived, there was little for them to do.

The man who failed to sound the alarm said he was worried that it was a false alarm. He quit his employment the following day.

I guess I was in the right place at the right time. And I feel quite proud (in a good way) that I was able to help.

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

I wish I had been self-employed sooner. I don’t think I had the self-belief or confidence to do it. Eventually, it was the introduction of Working Tax Credits that made the proposition feasible. I ran a computer repair business for 15 years before I retired. And I quite enjoyed being my own boss.

What makes you nervous?

I didn’t used to be nervous of high places, but I am now.

Old photo is of me and a friend on Helvellyn.