Ever wanted to see inside a digital camera? This one died on us a little while ago, the diagnosis being terminal CCD failure. Professional repair wouldn’t be cost effective, so I thought I’d have a go instead. Armed with a set of miniature screwdrivers that fell out of a christmas cracker, I carefully removed the body and lens to reveal its innards. Most of the pieces were cunningly interlocked, so had to be removed in a particular order to reveal the next screw underneath. I was aiming for the CCD image sensor at the back of the lens. I had to remove the circuit boards and ribbon cables to get to it as there was no way in from the front. About half way through, the flash unit fired! That came as quite a shock but, realising there must be some residual charge left in the capacitor, I cut the wires to it - very carefully. Eventually I got to the CCD - it’s to the left of the lens in the picture. Having got this far, I decided to dismantle the LCD display and anything else that wasn’t welded together. Now all I need is an instruction manual and some glue.
Friday, April 01, 2011
Reverse Engineering
Ever wanted to see inside a digital camera? This one died on us a little while ago, the diagnosis being terminal CCD failure. Professional repair wouldn’t be cost effective, so I thought I’d have a go instead. Armed with a set of miniature screwdrivers that fell out of a christmas cracker, I carefully removed the body and lens to reveal its innards. Most of the pieces were cunningly interlocked, so had to be removed in a particular order to reveal the next screw underneath. I was aiming for the CCD image sensor at the back of the lens. I had to remove the circuit boards and ribbon cables to get to it as there was no way in from the front. About half way through, the flash unit fired! That came as quite a shock but, realising there must be some residual charge left in the capacitor, I cut the wires to it - very carefully. Eventually I got to the CCD - it’s to the left of the lens in the picture. Having got this far, I decided to dismantle the LCD display and anything else that wasn’t welded together. Now all I need is an instruction manual and some glue.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Guernsey beaches
It's not just me you know. Ellie has been 'posted overseas' for a few weeks in the Channel Islands, where I joined her for the Valentines Day weekend. She was working on Monday, so I went on an explore, walking from Vazon Bay to L'Islet on the north west coast of the island.
Well I thought they looked pretty!
Globetrotting
It's not all fun you know! Getting the call from the EU project team, to fly out to some distant land and help the locals implement UN resolutions. Here for an example is my lasting memory of Bangkok - the view from my hotel window. 
Apparently there are also temples like Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, and the Grand Palace - none of which I saw, even driving to and from the airport. And instead of amazing and vibrant nightlife, I had a brief glimpse of one 'red light' area, next to a market selling just about anything you could want, as long as you don't mind counterfeit.
Next, came the call to visit the United Arab Emirates. We had meetings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and visited a market in Sharjah. That's 3 down, 4 to go with a possibility of another trip in 2011. More skyscrapers and tower blocks, and a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Inside the main dome was this amazing chandelier, and there were floral patterns on all the walls and carpets. No wonder I had to take my shoes off.
Back to Malaysia in January, and hosted by the Customs training academy in Melaka. You may know it best as 'Malacca', a small port overlooking the Malacca Straits with Indonesia on the other side. One of the smaller Malaysian states, I found it both friendly and charming. Its strategic position meant that it has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British ownership over the years, finally achieving independence in 1957 with the rest of Malaysia. It is a magnet for tourists at the weekend, but as you can see all the main sights in a day or two, it is pretty quiet during the week. We were pleased that, on this occasion, our hosts left us to fend for ourselves in the evening so that we could explore - and enjoy the local food. We ate fusions of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian, washed down with copious quantities of Tiger beer. We ate from street vendors and in back street bars, one of the highlights being an Indian meal served on a banana leaf. Great idea - no washing up. Although you can walk everywhere, there are lots of rickshaws around, gaily decorated with artificial flowers and with a sound system on the back, booming out Malaysian music. Must go back!
Apparently there are also temples like Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, and the Grand Palace - none of which I saw, even driving to and from the airport. And instead of amazing and vibrant nightlife, I had a brief glimpse of one 'red light' area, next to a market selling just about anything you could want, as long as you don't mind counterfeit.
Next stop last November was Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, altogether a much more interesting city. Same sort of view from the hotel, but of gleaming new skyscrapers such as the Petronas Towers - Completed in 1998 to be the tallest towers in the world, they held the distinction until 2004 when Taiwan built something bigger. Here's a picture I took one evening, together with a shot of me leaning over to take it. A Malaysian colleague is helping me.
Next, came the call to visit the United Arab Emirates. We had meetings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and visited a market in Sharjah. That's 3 down, 4 to go with a possibility of another trip in 2011. More skyscrapers and tower blocks, and a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Inside the main dome was this amazing chandelier, and there were floral patterns on all the walls and carpets. No wonder I had to take my shoes off.
Back to Malaysia in January, and hosted by the Customs training academy in Melaka. You may know it best as 'Malacca', a small port overlooking the Malacca Straits with Indonesia on the other side. One of the smaller Malaysian states, I found it both friendly and charming. Its strategic position meant that it has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British ownership over the years, finally achieving independence in 1957 with the rest of Malaysia. It is a magnet for tourists at the weekend, but as you can see all the main sights in a day or two, it is pretty quiet during the week. We were pleased that, on this occasion, our hosts left us to fend for ourselves in the evening so that we could explore - and enjoy the local food. We ate fusions of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian, washed down with copious quantities of Tiger beer. We ate from street vendors and in back street bars, one of the highlights being an Indian meal served on a banana leaf. Great idea - no washing up. Although you can walk everywhere, there are lots of rickshaws around, gaily decorated with artificial flowers and with a sound system on the back, booming out Malaysian music. Must go back!
Friday, November 12, 2010
November sunshine
A friend asked me recently if it was still sunny down here in southern Spain. In recent years there have been storms by this time of year but, for now, I'm happy to report that all is well!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
So long and thanks for all the fish
I finally said goodbye to HMRC last night with some 30 friends and colleagues giving me a fabulous send-off in Whitehall. Nice feeling to have gone at the time of my own choosing and still on a high with the work I've recently been doing. Didn't look back as I left the office for the last time though. 35 years is enough for anyone!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Nearly There...
Only a short time to go now before the big move out of Blighty. Thankfully Gordon and Diana have sent me this useful present which will come in very handy in dealing with the natives.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
CSM Harry Potter DCM
Some of you may remember my mentioning that family tree research had thrown up a Harry Potter in the family, not the wizard, but a soldier. I was thrilled to meet two of his grandchildren earlier this year, so here's the tale:
In 1894, aged 21, Harry Potter gave up his job as a bricklayers labourer and joined the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, enlisting at Guildford. Two years later he was promoted to Lance Corporal but, following a Court Martial in 1898, was imprisoned for 14 days and reverted to Private. Not a very distingushed start! He was serving in East India at the time and was tried for 'neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.' Still, putting this behind him, he continued his service, fighting in the Punjab and on the North West Frontier, getting promoted again and subsequently receiving the India Medal with Tirah clasps. His India campaign ended around 1906.
On returning to Britain, he met Agnes Turpin – a girl from Burnham on Crouch - and they were married in 1908. In August 1914, Harry was posted as Colour-Sergeant to the British Expeditionary Force in France and fought in the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Regiment, part of General French's 'contemptible little army' in the battle for, and subsequent retreat from Mons. In December 1914, he transferred to the Army Cyclists Corps and shortly afterwards was promoted to 2nd class warrant officer and appointed Company Sergeant Major. In June 1915, Harry Potter was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation published in the London Gazette reads "For conspicuous gallantry and marked ability. The efficiency of his Cyclist Company owes much to the zeal and energy he has displayed in the performance of his duties. On many occasions he showed great coolness and bravery under a heavy fire."
Company Sergeant Major Harry Potter DCM left the army on the 5th June 1916, having completed over 22 years service. The family moved back to Essex and Harry became a drill instructor at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Hutton. Agnes was caretaker. In October 1918, Harry and Agnes died within two days of each other, both victims of the 'Spanish Flu' epidemic. They left two young children, Emily and Ivy Potter, to be brought up by James Turpin, Harry's father-in-law.
Ivy Potter became a nurse and, during the second world war, served in the Middle East with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Service. Her career took her to Egypt and the Sudan where she met and married Elliot Balfour, an administrator in the Sudan Political Service who rose to become a regional governor. After independence, Ivy and Elliot Balfour moved back to England, firstly to Kent and then to Scotland, where they lived in Scrabster and Elliot worked at Dounreay. Ivy Balfour died, aged 80, in 1991 and Elliot in 1995.
Emily also became a nurse and married Dr George Melton in 1936. Dr Melton was a Russian emigré who had changed his name from Dr Joseph Mindline. Emily was very much a 'free spirit' and they later divorced in a court case which received press coverage for its elements of scandal. She died aged 49 on Good Friday in 1962 leaving two sons and a daughter. Harry's medals and DCM citation remain in the family, safely in the hands of his grandchildren.
In 1894, aged 21, Harry Potter gave up his job as a bricklayers labourer and joined the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, enlisting at Guildford. Two years later he was promoted to Lance Corporal but, following a Court Martial in 1898, was imprisoned for 14 days and reverted to Private. Not a very distingushed start! He was serving in East India at the time and was tried for 'neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.' Still, putting this behind him, he continued his service, fighting in the Punjab and on the North West Frontier, getting promoted again and subsequently receiving the India Medal with Tirah clasps. His India campaign ended around 1906.
On returning to Britain, he met Agnes Turpin – a girl from Burnham on Crouch - and they were married in 1908. In August 1914, Harry was posted as Colour-Sergeant to the British Expeditionary Force in France and fought in the 1st Battalion of the Queen's Regiment, part of General French's 'contemptible little army' in the battle for, and subsequent retreat from Mons. In December 1914, he transferred to the Army Cyclists Corps and shortly afterwards was promoted to 2nd class warrant officer and appointed Company Sergeant Major. In June 1915, Harry Potter was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation published in the London Gazette reads "For conspicuous gallantry and marked ability. The efficiency of his Cyclist Company owes much to the zeal and energy he has displayed in the performance of his duties. On many occasions he showed great coolness and bravery under a heavy fire."
Company Sergeant Major Harry Potter DCM left the army on the 5th June 1916, having completed over 22 years service. The family moved back to Essex and Harry became a drill instructor at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Hutton. Agnes was caretaker. In October 1918, Harry and Agnes died within two days of each other, both victims of the 'Spanish Flu' epidemic. They left two young children, Emily and Ivy Potter, to be brought up by James Turpin, Harry's father-in-law.
Ivy Potter became a nurse and, during the second world war, served in the Middle East with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Service. Her career took her to Egypt and the Sudan where she met and married Elliot Balfour, an administrator in the Sudan Political Service who rose to become a regional governor. After independence, Ivy and Elliot Balfour moved back to England, firstly to Kent and then to Scotland, where they lived in Scrabster and Elliot worked at Dounreay. Ivy Balfour died, aged 80, in 1991 and Elliot in 1995.
Emily also became a nurse and married Dr George Melton in 1936. Dr Melton was a Russian emigré who had changed his name from Dr Joseph Mindline. Emily was very much a 'free spirit' and they later divorced in a court case which received press coverage for its elements of scandal. She died aged 49 on Good Friday in 1962 leaving two sons and a daughter. Harry's medals and DCM citation remain in the family, safely in the hands of his grandchildren.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Yet Another year gone by...
What is it about Facebook that has kept me from blogging? You've missed out on my trips to Bulgaria and Brazil, selling the house, getting ready to bid farewell to English shores. Honest, I will put something on here soon, or some day....
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Another year gone by...
Well almost. It seems amazing that I haven't posted anything for so long. It's not as if it hasn't been an eventful year, I just haven't got the camera out too often and I hate blogging without a picture.
Early in the year I went 'on an explore' along some of the less well known stretches of the Crane river, between Hanworth and Heathrow rather than towards Twickenham, where we usually take friends. But it's just as pretty, even if the path is a bit overgrown in parts.
Much of our life has revolved around Spain of course, and in February I started taking Spanish lessons every Monday at the Instituto Cervantes in London. Some of us wanted a bit more practice, so we had a few 'tapas' nights. The group has split up now, so I must get my current group interested. There's a great Cuban restaurant in Islington I could start them on.
Talking about tapas, anyone who comes over to La Linea will normally be expected to have a tapas lunch on Sunday afternoon at Casa Barea in Estacion de San Roque. Here's one of Mary, Tony and the kids right outside.
And this blog wouldn't be the same without pictures from the annual feria in La Linea. Ellie took these. Good eh?
Come August, I needed another shot of festival fever, so went along to the Notting Hill Carnival, which is my excuse for this gratuitous display.
Here's to 2009 - I'll try to publish more this year!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Spaced out baby!
George, the new kid on the block, had his photograph taken recently and it reminded me of the starchild image from 2001. So I couldn't resist having a play. Eat your heart out Stanley Kubrick! All together now, Boom boom, Boom boom, Boom boom, Boom boom, Da, Da, Da, Dada........
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