A new page for a new day

I need to be a little careful using a cms to write stuff while on a train. If my connection fails while saving I could lose what I’ve written. Normally being away from my desk would a time away from technical problems, but not today which could be developing into one of those ‘should have stayed in bed’ days. The dog-bladder sized wet patch on the carpet was both a sign and a cause of delay which led to me being on this train which was also delayed ‘due to a train fault’.

Setting this page up was the next issue. ‘Someone’ flagged an index of a column of a database table as ‘unique’ which created a silent error. Luckily I’ve learned to dig into the underbelly of data systems using a mobile device and my scribbling endeavours, like the train, are moving, and as long as I remember to save things regularly I should be ok.

Glitches aside, it is a beautiful day. The sun is bright, sky is blue, and the fields are green apart from some patches of frost. So far I have no emails chasing me back into techalyth warrenland for fixes or other urgent stuff. I have umpteen tonnes of code to shovel as always, but it can wait. The last time I was on a train to a wine event in London - last Wednesday - the duration of the journey was just right to complete a set of updates. Today though I think I’ll read through the wine list instead.

16:30. On the 16: something train, as it frantically fills up. Luckily I have a seat and a space for my iPad, and a plug socket to keep my phone alive.

The highlight of the tasting was again Henschke. Last time it was ‘just’ the wine - this time it was the wine and the background info related in person by Johann Henschke. It’s difficult to make lasting mental notes with wine-filled people jostling for your spot, and I’d struggle to relate specific details now, but the overall impression remains - that of someone in love with his trade and his history, and being hum le enough to share it without pomp.

16:50. On the move. I’ve just reviewed my notes, partly to see if could fill in some missing numbers, and partly to try to go over a couple of moments in my head, like Trevor - “Do you know about us” was his opening salvo as tentatively offered my glass. On confirming that I didn’t he then gave me what I expect was a fascinating potted history of a vineyard/consortium/bunch of friends? I feigned some understanding, as you do, with a nod or a surprised look whenever I caught a word, but I realLy have no real idea what he said. I do remember him saying something about not being able to sell one of his wines at the right price - but didn’t catch the reason. There were some non-verbal nudges and gestures though which made it clear that the wine next to the one I had picked out was ‘the one’. This was reinforced by someone with the air of wine writer bellowing out “that’s lovely - very smooth” to Trevor - I suspect they had met before.

I’ve just remembered lunch. I was sat next to a chap from Belgium who has a wine shop in Shoreditch who wasn’t shy about all things wrong about the trade. I can’t say I disagree with anything he said regarding suppliers, margins, rent, etc. As for the young lady who posted online that his wines are too expensive - she might indeed be a c***, but I obviously couldn’t say. I do know the frustration that comes from people who post damaging remarks without realising the hurt they cause though, unless they do realise the hurt in which case - fair comment.

17:15 No email. Weird. I’d normally have expected at least a few. Ah well. “Now approaching Royston” and should be back on dry land in about 25 mins. I think I might call it a day and switch focus to a crossword or some Twitter nonsense and get back to ‘the list’ tomorrow.