bmwelby's blog

Thoughts from the mind of Ben Welby

Category: Family

No Neeeeed to trust ChatGPT, especially for your nostalgia

August 28, 2024 / / 2 Comments

A familiar catchphrase, an unexpected blank stare

Our family has just spent a lovely bank holiday weekend with friends enjoying the National Coal Mining Museum, a tremendous 3-1 victory for Bradford City, a delicious curry at The Sweet Centre, some good church at St Peter’s Bury, and the splendid surroundings of the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate.

As we were driving to our first rendezvous in Wakefield, our friends, who live near Bolton, sent a message apologising that they would arrive after us. I reacted on our end with a loud “No neeeeed”, a catchphrase remembered from my childhood, delivered in an attempted Lancastrian accent. Christine, ever quick to capture a moment, got me to repeat the impression and sent it back as a voice note.

They replied with their own note, which we couldn’t decipher. So when we met up we asked them what was going on. To our surprise, they had misunderstood our message – they thought we were saying “Welbeeeees” as a greeting and had responded with a cry of their own family name.

I was puzzled. I was sure “No neeeeed” was a common cultural touchpoint but instead it was met with blank stares. Confidently, I told them it was a catchphrase from Mark and Lard, the iconic radio duo of the 90s.

However, when I tried to back up my claim with a quick Google, I hit a brick wall.

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A close up shot of the front grille of a car with a white number plate reading CR12KET. Alongside it is a cricket bat leaning up against some stumps with a cricket ball on the ground next to them.

The Return of Numberplate Cricket: A Road Trip Revival

August 19, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Growing up in Bradford but with grandparents in Kent and Somerset meant hours on the road, more often than not to a backdrop of Radio 4 (which was not so engaging as a child). Of course, this being the late 80s/early 90s there were no screens to occupy the journey. So my siblings and I had to make our own entertainment and I remember Numberplate Cricket as a great way to kill off the monotony of the motorway.

Fast forward to 2024, and the tables have turned. Now it’s my children enduring long drives from Croydon to Bradford to ‘enjoy’ our our season tickets at Valley Parade1 . Last weekend’s 9 hour round trip served up a pretty underwhelming 0-0 and 3 points denied by dubious officialing.

Probably over the line #bcafc

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— Sanj (@londonbantam.bsky.social) Aug 17, 2024 at 18:17

What is Numberplate Cricket?

For the uninitiated, Numberplate Cricket is a simple game (despite what Wikipedia suggests) that turns every passing car into a potential run or wicket. The rules are simple:

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Historic Royal Palaces membership: A cautionary tale from our family’s visit

August 14, 2024 / / 1 Comment

We recently joined some friends for a day at the Historic Royal Palace of Hampton Court, a place we hadn’t visited since 2018. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision but although we didn’t plan our day we did check the website. And the website encouraged us to pre-book our tickets in advance. So we did.

The kids were buzzing with excitement, the weather was perfect, and we were looking forward to our day in the splendour of the palace and its gardens. And the day lived up to our expectations, filled with exploration, fun, and a lot of history.

A wide view of the main entrance to Hampton Court Palace, a Tudor-era structure, set on expansive grounds. The building features a mix of stone and brick architecture with many towers and ornate facades. The foreground shows a grassy area shaded by a large tree, with sunlight casting dappled shadows on the ground. In the background, the castle’s massive walls stretch out, with a clear blue sky above dotted with a few fluffy clouds. The setting appears calm and serene, suitable for sightseeing or exploration.
The image captures a picturesque garden scene under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a vibrant cluster of white roses blooms surrounded by lush green foliage. The garden is neatly arranged, showcasing various plants, including a border of neatly trimmed hedges that adds to the serene aesthetic. In the background, there is a hill dotted with trees, and an old stone wall can be seen, suggesting the remnants of a historical structure. The overall atmosphere is tranquil and inviting, reflecting a well-maintained public or private garden space.
A detailed view of a grand ceiling fresco depicting various celestial figures, including angels and mythical creatures, in an ornate Baroque style. The fresco features vivid colors and intricate details, with gold accents framing the artwork. The walls below are richly decorated with sculptural reliefs and classical columns, creating a sense of depth and opulence. Soft light illuminates the scene, enhancing the ethereal quality of the painting. The setting is within Hampton Court Palace.
The lush green Fountain Court at Hampton Court Palace featuring a circular flower bed with colourful plants at the centre, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn. In the middle of the flower bed, there is a small fountain spraying water. The courtyard is framed by a stately building with an intricate façade characterised by red bricks and large windows, positioned symmetrically around the perimeter. A stone lantern stands on a pedestal to the right, adding a historical element to the scene. The sky above is bright blue with a few fluffy white clouds, indicating a sunny day.
A wide, gravel pathway stretches into the distance under a clear blue sky. On either side of the pathway, meticulously trimmed bushes and trees create a serene, garden-like atmosphere. To the right, a vibrant arrangement of flowers adds pops of color to the landscape. At the end of the pathway, a grand building is visible through the trees, suggesting it could be part of the grounds of this historical estate at Hampton Court Palace. The scene conveys a peaceful, leisurely vibe typical of an expansive park or estate.

So as we were preparing to leave, the option to upgrade our tickets to an annual membership was a no-brainer. Not only would this make it possible to come back to Hampton Court over the next twelve months, including for the upcoming food festival (which was the reason we had come six years ago) but it covers the Tower of London, which we’d also had a half-formed plan to visit.

We were excited to think that for just a little bit extra on top of what we’d already paid, we could unlock a year of unlimited visits. However, this excitement quickly faded when we discovered the fine print of the upgrade policy—a detail that unfairly targets families.

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Leaving

March 26, 2013 / / 0 Comments

Monday was a sad day for us. It was the day the reality of what we’re planning to do sank in: our house went on the market. Tuesday was therefore a day of mixed emotions. We had one viewing, received an offer at the asking price and so have agreed to sell. It’s all happened very fast!

I’ve loved living in that house and it’s been a wonderful place for us to spend the first years of marriage but a wise man once told us that York moves in five year cycles and this is our tenth year and the timing is right for us to leave.
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