With such fine weather this morning I left the house earlier and took a few moments to enjoy Queens Park while it's still quiet before heading off to the Job Centre. The fountain in the middle of the lake has been turned off and as much as I hate the infernal thing, seeing a bird resting on the spout made that mischievious side of me want to see it turned on again, if only briefly.

The water level is well down. There's now a substantial gravel beach and that's the first time I've seen that happen at Queens Park. So far, however, no jellyfish. The waterfowl of Swindon can sleep safely in their nests for now.

Job Offer

"Looking for a job, mate?" Came the urgent enquiry from a burly and suntanned chap as I passed him just down the road from the Job Centre. I don't usually receive offers of employment in this fashion and my alarm bells were ringing. Yes, as it happens, I am.

"Building work?"

I'm not a builder, sorry. I began to continue on my way but he insisted on attempting to persuade me.

"Do you drive?" He asked. Yes... I do. "Just need you to drive a tipper. That's all. Cash in hand."

Cash in hand? This all sounds well dodgy and being unemployed, earning money cash in hand, even if I admit to it and declare my earnings, brings me into a shadowy realm of benefit investigation. Never mind it smacks of television sit-coms. I could see myself driving a three wheeled yellow truck. Erm.... No. Thank you, but no.

Crusing

I've just seen an american 1930's/40's car warbling past, a two seat coup in glorious reddish-brown primer, whitewall tires, and looking suprisingly sprightly as it made swift progress through the road junction. A definite rarity to our shores. By now it probably has an engine and suspension transplant, which would account for the very sorted feel it gave off, and no doubt will sport a glossy paint job in the near future.

That makes two old yank cars in our area that I know of. There's an odd looking four door that gets paraded at fetes and so forth, in a sort of gold colour with chrome strips running back from the radiator grill. Haven't the slightest idea what it is, but is genuinely well looked after. Oh yes. There's a fifties pickup truck in rusty blue that I've seen around as well.

Looks like the tax on new car sales is finally starting to have an effect.

Shock Update

For those unable to cope with the uncertainty of Gordon Browns new book release, relax, I have the answer. His bestseller novel on 'global financial disasters and how to avoid them' arrives on the shelves in November. Gripping stuff. Can't wait for that. I wonder who'll play the leading role when the film gets made in a couple of years time? Tell Leonardo De Caprio to start practising a slightly scottish accent now.