All posts by Armin Grewe

Hi, it's just me.
Pictures, Thoughts

Mediocre pictures of the Solar Eclipse seen from Aldermaston Wharf

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Like many people I went out this evening to watch and photograph the solar eclipse. With the hot and sunny weather we’ve had in southern England this summer an opportunity too good to miss. I had hoped to capture the solar eclipse over the Kennet and Avon Canal passing through Aldermaston Wharf, but wasn’t very successful. Here are some of the better pictures I managed to capture:

Picture of a partial solar eclipse above a canal with a footbridge
Solar Eclipse over Aldermaston Wharf
Picture of the sun mostly covered by the moon
Solar Eclipse “close up”
Picture of a partial solar eclipse with some leaves from plants below
Solar Eclipse over some trees

Despite the Moon covering over 90% of the Sun it was still much brighter than I had expected, washing out pretty much all pictures I tried to take with the eclipse above the canal. Some just about showed some trees while also showing the eclipse.

Still, it was a great experience and I had a great time. Quite a few people out at the canal and around watching with various means, colanders being quite popular.

Snippets, Thoughts

Some friendly Christmas greetings from TV Licensing

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Mid December, less than two weeks to go until Christmas. The Christmas decoration is up, tea and biscuits are out, while there are fewer these days (rising costs and the convenience of online communications) Christmas cards are being sent and received. And kindly TV Licensing joined in with a jolly letter:

Picture of a threatening letter from TV Licensing in December
Some friendly Christmas greetings from TV Licensing

As usual the letter has the well known threatening language and at first glance only has too options, buy a licence or get a fine. The possibility of not needing a licence is only mentioned in a subordinate clause, as if an afterthought. Again as usual I doubt there will be a pointless visit by an enforcement officer. Maybe in 2026? We’ll see….

And with that, Merry Christmas!

Thoughts

TV Licensing still hasn’t heard from me

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Another month, another letter from good old TV Licensing. While I keep hearing from them they complain that the haven’t heard from me. I wonder why that is?

Following their latest 10 Day Window (which I obviously ignored) I’ve received another letter stating the obvious: “This address is still unlicensed”

Picture of a letter from TV Licensing saying they still haven't heard from me
TV Licensing still hasn’t heard from me

We wrote to tell you we were giving you 10 days to get correctly licensed – free from the risk of an enforcement visit

Oh, cool, considering that I’ve been correctly licensed (meaning I don’t have one as I don’t watch live TV or use iPlayer) for many many many years you will stop sending me these stupid letters threatening me with all kinds of legal consequences and visits?

I don’t know why, but somehow I have my doubts….

Thoughts

Another TV Licensing repeat: The 10-Day Window

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Haven’t written about TV Licensing for a while since asking if they have run out of ideas back in March. The last few letters I’ve shredded straight away, now it’s time to confirm, yes, they have run out of ideas. Demonstrated with the latest letter:

Picture of a letter from TV Licensing about a 10-Day window
Another TV Licensing repeat: The 10-Day Window

As you’ve probably guessed this is yet another repeat. Almost to the day one year after the last 10-Day window opened another 10-Day window opens. Last year it closed on the 4th of September, this year it closes on the 3rd of September.

Same as last year I’m going to do exactly … nothing. They gave me a 10-Day window to get correctly licensed. Which I’ve been for the last 25+ years. I don’t have any form of TV Licence as I don’t need one. I don’t watch any live TV and don’t use iPlayer. Simple as that.

Now lets see if this post series will continue with some new letter or if I will only post the occasional repeat.

Snippets, Video

Staying out of trouble in my Big Pink Bubble

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Lili has done it again. Short (less than 2 minutes), but a beautiful melodic tune with Jon’s nice drumming. All I needed this Friday evening. I hope you will enjoy it too:

Beach Bunny – Big Pink Bubble (Official Music Video)

Album is coming in April, excited what it will bring.