Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

10 hours ago, JohnDMJ said:

Can just visualise the gate keeper saying "we've allowed our maximum quota in, please form an orderly queue"!

This is Kew Gardens on Mothers' Day, not Twickenham Stadium. Surely there's nothing more British than "form an orderly queue"?

 

[Ozexpatriate]

7 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

They certainly couldn't be used for a number two.

"Certainly"? That would depend on how creative (and limber) you might be.

[Ozexpatriate]

4 hours ago, Tony_S said:

free range semi skimmed milk ...

Genuinely asked, what constitutes "free range" milk in the UK? 

 

/facetiously/ Do they have mikmaids that chase the cows around the paddock with a bucket and stool?

 

Or is it that the cows are pastured rather than fed hay, and are still mechanically milked in a barn?

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

2 hours ago, Kingzance said:

"Now this is what you call a blade!"

It's "knoife" mate.

[Ian Abel]

Late check in, but I agree with Baz, checking in daily to see we're all safe is a decent idea

 

Nothing happened yesterday - other then the orangutang made a fool of himself again in his press conference!

 

Earlier today;

i) Trevor came over to bring a few supplies we needed, nice as we'd not seen him for a while.

  We chatted through the front window keeping a distance

ii) Jemma forward me a post related to air traffic. The New York ATC center - the main body that handles flights once in the air beyond the tower and approach facilities, had a major "staffing trigger", no other details as to what that meant, BUT, it means the NY ATC has gone to a state called "ATC zero". Meaning there IS NONE! Ground stop issued for any/all aircraft inbound/outbound the major NY airports, all aircraft in the air and NOT already with the ATC being diverted, NY ATC shut down until further notice

iii) We finished our latest puzzle, real 1000-piece doozie so we'll be trying something simpler next so Mrs says!

 

iv) Decided on "Zoom" as the family and friends video conferencing platform so we can have some virtual happy hours with people and check in. It's a good option, we use it anyway for work and seems rather more "robust" than some of the other platforms...

 

Several states over here have had the governors issues a "Shelter in Place" order, no unnecessary travel allowed. We expect that'll happen in Minnesota soon, the Mrs and I have a bet on when

So we're off out for a quick walk to get some fresh air and exercise...

 

Brisk here at -2 earlier +1 now and cloudy with a light breeze.

 

Stay safe all.

[Erichill16]

20 hours ago, newbryford said:

I reckon the pubs will be busier tonight than the past few Fridays - because they are closing.

 

Good job i had a STIFF drink before i left the pharmacy where i work!!

 

[Tony_S]

14 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

Good job i had a STIFF drink before i left the pharmacy where i work!!

 

MiL still has a Rohypnol mug...

[JohnDMJ]

 

 

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

This is Kew Gardens on Mothers' Day, not Twickenham Stadium. Surely there's nothing more British than "form an orderly queue"?

 

 

I didn't think I'd need to emphasize the irony.

 

Limited access to the gardens to maintain "social distancing" whilst forming and orderly, compact, undistanced queue at the entrance.

[Tony_S]

47 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Genuinely asked, what constitutes "free range" milk in the UK? 

 

/facetiously/ Do they have mikmaids that chase the cows around the paddock with a bucket and stool?

 

Or is it that the cows are pastured rather than fed hay, and are still mechanically milked in a barn?

 

Organic is about how they are fed mainly. Free range is freedom to graze and kept outside for at least six months of the year. When I went to the US I saw dairy cattle in Connecticut being moved from field to milking parlour like here. When we were in Vermont I expected to see lots of cows like the ones on the Ben and Jerry ice cream tubs. However I was told they were permanently indoors. No idea if true but I think there was something about an intensive milking unit storyline on “The Archers” a few years ago. 
Tony

[Ozexpatriate]

2 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Organic is about how they are fed mainly.

The Organic labelling here is also about medications, like antibiotics, growth hormones, estrogen (for milking cows) etc, which are extensively used in non-organic labelled milk.

 

The "free range" label here started with egg-laying chickens, to distinguish them from battery hens. I've not seen it applied to milk here, but I don't purchase a lot of milk and may not be paying attention. "Free range" has been used extensively for beef cattle to distinguish them from feed lot cattle.

 

Locally the dairy cows spend a lot of time outside (as anyone who has driven through Tillamook County can attest). Having said that, in Eastern Oregon industrialized, confinement mega-dairies supply milk to the same creameries. 

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Busy day out getting some garden supplies, everywhere a little quiet but not deserted, except Tesco's car park when we went past, which was heaving.  Good luck with that.

 

I managed to get my low carb bread yesterday so we;re OK for most things, there's a fresh veg honesty stall a mile away which supplies our greens, no issue there.

 

Then had a nice drive out in the camper to charge the batteries, all the way to 'Lands End', aka The Sound and Calf of Man.  No milk involved, its a little island.  70 mile trip, nice sunny day but a vicious easterly wind making it very cold out.

[PeterBB]

2 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

This is Kew Gardens on Mothers' Day, not Twickenham Stadium. Surely there's nothing more British than "form an orderly queue"?

 

But this is corona so 'forming an orderly queue doesn't matter anymore' may well be a common misconception.

Edited March 21, 2020 by PeterBB
Spelling correction - see also Jonn C comment on typos errors

[JohnDMJ]

 

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

No idea if true but I think there was something about an intensive milking unit storyline on “The Archers” a few years ago. 
Tony

 

ChrisF - please advise!

[Barry O]

Goodnight all!

Baz

[Coombe Barton]

I don't believe it!

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/victor-meldrew-moment/

[Simon G]

The strengths and weakness of social media have been seen here today.  A few days ago, a lady who lives in our lane set up a WhatsApp group as a community support for everyone in the lane.  Since then, there have been dozens of messages, some of which have been really good, with offers of collecting shopping, items from the pharmacy etc, advice of which shops have fresh food supplies etc.

 

Today, someone sent a message of Happy 90th Birthday to one of the Lane residents.  This was followed by more of the same, until the man himself messaged to say that it wasn’t actually his birthday yet - it is next week!  Cue much mirth in our house.

[Gwiwer]

4 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

This is Kew Gardens on Mothers' Day, not Twickenham Stadium. Surely there's nothing more British than "form an orderly queue"?

 

 

The decision of the senior directors is that Kew Gardens shall remain open.  All buildings and catering facilities are closed.  It's likely to be too cold for a picnic on the grass.  They had in mind the fact of providing the open space that we are encouraged to take advantage of.  There is plenty of space for folk to wander around, sit and not be within 2m of the next person.  That will remain the position unless countermanded by Government intervention.

 

EDIT - And in a late reversal of their own decision Kew Gardens will NOT now be open tomorrow.  No further explanation given.  The late change (30 minutes ago) means a number of frustrated people may arrive to find the gates locked and no-one home.

 

On that note it's goodnight from a very bored and over-it-all Hill of Strawberries.  

 

Stay well.  

Edited March 21, 2020 by Gwiwer

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Been doing a bit of sorting of modelling bits in the spare room. I really will have to get rid of some stuff, in fact I could probably set up my own model shop. I keep all of the smaller items in those screw cabinets, I have about a dozen with an average of about 15 drawers each. Theres a lot of stuff I'd forgotten about as well as some items that I'd thought I'd lost.

[The Stationmaster]

Veg patch has been dug - by the offspring;  adult 'children' have their uses.  Some managerial guidance was necessary of course - which proved that those of more mature years also have their use.

[Kingzance]

31 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

I don't believe it!

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/victor-meldrew-moment/

John, are you setting up a virtual community headed by our Sutton correspondent GDB? At least it seems no Colbys were harmed in the process. As for Under Milk Wood, I have to say that my knowledge of it is next to Llareggub but I well remember a jazz suite inspired by DT’s work written and performed by Stan Tracey. The sleeve notes gave a picture of why each part was created by referencing the literary work.

 

A small hiatus in the unmentionable department means opening a new pot of cyanoacrylate in the morning. Now it is time for me to rest, not that I need beauty sleep of course. Goodnight.

[Coombe Barton]

20 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

As for Under Milk Wood, I have to say that my knowledge of it is next to Llareggub

The Richard Burton version is here
 

 

[newbryford]

Social distancing as advised by HMG Chief Medical Advisor was practised. 

That went OK, but the golf was a bit suspect.

 

Then off to the big orange shed to "panic buy" paint as at least 2 of the 3 (and maybe all 3) NB household will be at home more in the next few weeks.

Time has also been spent clearing out a space to be used for WFH purposes. At least we shall have a good view out of the office window. (Pic later)

There may be some "G word" happening tomorrow. If I get that done quickly, I may partake of some more social distancing via two-wheeled pedal power.

 

Junior NB has been working as a self-employed swim teacher with schoolkids at a local pool. That work has now dried up (excuse the pun). However, the pool owner has offered free use of the pool in the meantime as long as we continue social distancing with one person per lane...... That will pass some time.

 

Have a good Mothering Sunday folks.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[andyram]

Evening all. Good wishes to everyone and I sincerely hope that you are staying safe and healthy. I have not had chance to catch up with the last day and half of posts - I hope I have not missed anything.

 

A strange day today. I arrived at Matlock Bath this morning to an empty car park. I was only the car in the station car park, and anticipated a quiet day. In a way it was, with people through the door being about a quarter of the normal total. Thankfully some of those who ventured in spent well, and there were those who did support via website and telephone. The irony is that this week has managed to exceed the corresponding week last year. I am sure that it will prove be the calm before the storm however and things will drop off. I feel less comfortable with continuing to open the doors in the current environment and I am thinking about the prospect of online sales only for a period -whether these will prove enough is questionable. The sooner the details of the government's support package and eligibility comes through the better for me and many others (assuming eligibility of course!)

 

The latest casualty of this situation is our booked meal on the Great Central. A member of staff from the booking office called today to inform me of their decision. It is understandable and a new date has been provisionally booked for August. Hopefully things will have settled down by then, but there are many who will suggest not.

 

Lots of prayers being said for everyone right now.

 

Stay safe

 

Andy

 

[Ozexpatriate]

10 minutes ago, newbryford said:

There may be some "G word" happening tomorrow.

More golf?

 

Or a good walk spoiled in the garden?