Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

13 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

I presume that they had some sort of transhipment facilities for the gauge change on the railway.

Yes, on the inland Kyogle line to Brisbane. It was in Acacia Ridge on the Brisbane south side. These days a dual-gauge line runs all the way to the Port of Brisbane, Fisherman Islands facility and for passengers across the river to Roma Street on the edge of the downtown area.

 

Tweed Heads, though in NSW, was all Queensland "colonial" 3'6" gauge - all 26 chains of it from Coolangatta. The branch was torn up in the early 1960s.

[Dave Hunt]

Good morning from a sunny but chilly North Salopshire. I'm in the dwang already as last night I forgot to put the black bin out and Jill had to do it at 0 double dark. My one chance of recovery is to undertake the announced morning of bathroom etc. cleaning that I was detailed for last night without demur and maybe add another job to my portfolio of my own choosing.

 

I had an email from one of the supermarkets yesterday acknowledging that my 97 year old Dad is now eligible for priority delivery slots - hasn't taken them long has it? Since I've spent ages setting up deliveries from sources other than supermarkets, having been unable to get any slots at all for most of the time, I'm tempted to tell them what they can do with them now but I guess that would be churlish as well as something I could regret later (it looks like I'm turning/have turned into a grumpy old man too).

 

When I worked in San Diego in the 80s I drank either Guinness or chilled Coors or Miller Light and actually got to quite like the American fizzy pops on a hot day, especially after spending time in a sweaty cockpit. I'd leave work and meet Jill on Coronado beach where she would surreptitiously give me a cold can from the cool box out of view of the beach police lifeguards. Not a bad way to end the working day I found.

 

Right, time to finish muggocoffee and get on with Baz-in the day. Have a good one all.

 

Dave

[Sir TophamHatt]

Morning all!
A good day yesterday, despite the much cooler weather.

Here she is!

 

 

The wife doing a much better job than me, while baby sleeps in the sling and I tidy up the whole room.

 

She's a beaut!

Edited May 12, 2020 by Sir TophamHatt

[Shedman5]

Morning, Rain here more of a drizzle actually but it has stopped and the sun is starting to breakthrough the clouds.

 

A tidy up of the garage beckons which should occupy me for the morning, a couple of minor jobs to the layout  are required but not sure I am in the right frame of mind to tackle them.

We will see, if it does brighten up maybe a walk this afternoon instead.

 

Whatever you decide to do enjoy your day.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

It is sunny here. Not too warm though. 
Today is medical chat with hospital day. I await a phone call. 
Bins will be on the normal day this week, no alteration due to last Friday’s holiday. Our food waste bins don’t need bear clips but they do have a locking handle/lid mechanism. There is a mark II version now that the local foxes have discovered how to open the original type. We just leave our bins and bags where our lawn (small grassy area, lawn sounds rather grand) meets the pavement. Our rubbish and recycling hasn’t been altered much by staying at home since March, we didn’t go out that much really.

Aditi is going to make some masks in case we have to go somewhere where they are required. Not that we are likely to go anywhere, I think she just wants to sew something.

Tony

[81C]

Morning All 

Sunny here 

Today I've got to sort out toll money for the Dartford Bridge and pipe crossing I'm told you can pre-pay it on the website I use to arrange the Dart Tags to go in the company vehicles

years ago they are no longer used and ANPR camera's now do the job.

Not much else happening enjoy you day n Stay Safe.  Paya Rage 

[Tony_S]

31 minutes ago, 81C said:

Morning All 

Sunny here 

Today I've got to sort out toll money for the Dartford Bridge and pipe crossing I'm told you can pre-pay it on the website I use to arrange the Dart Tags to go in the company vehicles

years ago they are no longer used and ANPR camera's now do the job.

Not much else happening enjoy you day n Stay Safe.  Paya Rage 

You can pay in advance or within I think 24 hours. (EDIT  By midnight the day after you cross). I set up an account that automatically tops up by £10 if it drops below £10. Avoids having to think about tolls if we go shopping in Kent (shopping in Kent, those were the days...)

Tony

Edited May 12, 2020 by Tony_S

[Simon G]

Morning all,

Overcast and cold here today, with a very chilly wind.  It was sunny earlier, but not now.  I ventured outside with a thick coat on to do a few tasks, like moving firewood from the shed into my covered store behind the garage as the shed is literally falling to bits, and will soon be replaced.  I can fit a slightly larger shed into the existing space, which will help enormously with storage and both firewood and wheelbarrow and some tools.

 

Having watched Gardeners World over the weekend, we decided that a cold frame would be a good idea.  As I already have an old double glazing unit approx 30 inches by 45 inches, I just need to knock up a wooden base for it.  The only problem is that the double glazing unit may be rather heavy for my wife to remove and replace, so I need to think of a way of easily doing that.  I do have some old door hinges, but am not sure if I can effectively glue them to the glass with such as araldite.  I will need to ask no 1 son, as he works in marketing for an adhesive company.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Late on parade today, due to getting out of bed late and having a few tasks to get done. The oven is on very low and there's a beef casserole in, which will be tonight's tea (and another night too). 

 

I'm just heading down to the cellar to continue working on the arbor, the wet stuff falling out of the sky is preventing me from doing this outside. 

 

Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. 

[newbryford]

Tee times already booked for Wednesday after work and Saturday!

 

Junior received this yesterday - she plans to go open water swimming  on Wednesday - as that's allowed as outdoor activity.

 

 

Stay alert folks

Cheers,

Mick

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Talking of towns and cities straddling Borders. I seem to recall a movie where the main character had a house that straddled the California/Nevada border. His problem was an arrest warrant was out for him in Nevada.

1 hour ago, 81C said:

Morning All 

Sunny here 

Today I've got to sort out toll money for the Dartford Bridge and pipe crossing I'm told you can pre-pay it on the website I use to arrange the Dart Tags to go in the company vehicles

years ago they are no longer used and ANPR camera's now do the job.

Not much else happening enjoy you day n Stay Safe.  Paya Rage 

 

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

You can pay in advance or within I think 24 hours. (EDIT  By midnight the day after you cross). I set up an account that automatically tops up by £10 if it drops below £10. Avoids having to think about tolls if we go shopping in Kent (shopping in Kent, those were the days...)

Tony

That reminds me I have to renew my account, I haven't used the crossing in over a year and I received a notice that the account will be closed if I don't renew it. 

[Joseph_Pestell]

These situations where a house or building straddles a border seem surprisingly common. I always wonder if the occupants end up paying two lots of taxes.

 

The NStCM station on the Swiss/French border is a case of this. The platforms are in France but the station entrance is in Switzerland. There is a bar there that is in both countries with iirc the drinking part in France and the tobacco counter in Switzerland.

[AndrewC]

Afternoon all. Vet has been and gone. Tis a really $hit day. 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2020 by AndrewC

[J. S. Bach]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

You can pay in advance or within I think 24 hours. (EDIT  By midnight the day after you cross). I set up an account that automatically tops up by £10 if it drops below £10. Avoids having to think about tolls if we go shopping in Kent (shopping in Kent, those were the days...)

Tony

We have something like that here called Ez-Pass; several northeast states are in it. I have the transponder (with an auto-refill option) but do not use it much any more.

[newbryford]

23 minutes ago, AndrewC said:

Afternoon all. Vet has been and gone. Tis a really $hit day. 

 

 

 

You have my sympathies Andrew.

[iL Dottore]

6 minutes ago, AndrewC said:

Afternoon all. Vet has been and gone. Tis a really $hit day. 

I assume from this, that Tiggr has been eased on his way and is now chasing mice in the Elysian Fields.

 

I am really, really saddened to hear this Andrew; as inevitable as it was, it’s still a hard and heartbreaking duty to perform. But making sure they have a “good death” in familiar surroundings amongst the humans that love them is a tremendous gift to give them, no much loved family pet should “cross the rainbow bridge” alone and far from home.

 

As a fellow “furry monster custodian” (we never really “own” them, we just take care of them) I will raise a glass to Tiggr and all our fondly remembered pets.

iD

[Andrew P]

Sorry to read your bit above Andrew, we all love our pets.

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup, where the blue sky is being partly replaced by clouds. It is not so windy today and as a result not quite so chill - when the sun is out it is quite pleasant.

 I have not had time to catch up with all the news but best wishes to all.

 

I wondered what my Dad remembered of the VE day - turns out, nothing. But he does remember VJ day because he was visiting my Grandma's relations in Newport (Wales) and remembers they painted the kerbs. 

 

Work is continuing to be fairly busy and I haveyet another call in a couple if minutes so I had better abandon my attempt to catch up for now! 

 

 

[Andrew P]

With moving this Friday I'll be off the Grid for a short (I hope) while from tomorrow night.

 

Originally the Bungalow has a lawn either side of the Drive which is about 4 to 5 cars length. The current owners have removed the Grass, and laid down Hardcore, so I've suggested a small Caravan, some flags and bunting, and I recon I can get about 20 old Cars on there For Sale.

Now where's me Trilby and Crombie.

 

 

It will be re done nicely very soon and some more grass added, but as it's a fairly busy Road, at lest I can drive in, turn around and drive back out, so no reversing on or off the Road.

[Gwiwer]

5 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Yes, on the inland Kyogle line to Brisbane. It was in Acacia Ridge on the Brisbane south side. These days a dual-gauge line runs all the way to the Port of Brisbane, Fisherman Islands facility and for passengers across the river to Roma Street on the edge of the downtown area.

 

Tweed Heads, though in NSW, was all Queensland "colonial" 3'6" gauge - all 26 chains of it from Coolangatta. The branch was torn up in the early 1960s.

Such a shame that the only passenger service is at an utterly inconvenient time of day arriving at around 3am and departing little more than an hour later.  That is the New South Wales railways* XPT from distant Sydney by way of a good many intermediate towns and regional cities.  Its timing through Brisbane is dictated by Queensland Rail* who operate the narrow-gauge tracks and don't want them cluttered by a standard gauge train during their run-up to morning peak.  The distinct state rail operations - and to this day (though decreasingly so) their distinct track gauges - still makes Australian rail akin to an international journey.  

 

* or what ever the current name is for these outfits.

 

Acacia Ridge is still a large operation.  There is far more freight on Australian railways than passengers away from four city suburban networks.  A triple-headed double-stacked freighter 1500m long is quite typical.  Acacia Ridge has numerous sidings well over 2km in length for arrivals, departures and gauge-transshipments.  Plus loco servicing facilities for both gauges it serves making it quite an interesting spot.  The XPT runs right beside it but in the dark you see nothing.  

 

There is a spiral, strictly the Cougal Spiral, to deal with the mountain ridges which is usually known as Border Loop or sometimes Spiral Loop.  It happens to straddle the Queensland / NSW border  and in earlier times when the XPT ran in daylight it was possible to enjoy it from the windows.  Now that view is only available to freight drivers and not so much of that runs in daylight hours.  The hopeful photographer at the Lions Road viewpoint can wait many fruitless hours unless in possession of a radio-frequency scanner tuned to the rail operator's wavelength.  A long freight could be photographed whilst simultaneously on both levels of the spiral.

*****

AndrewC - assuming your post means what we all think we are sorry for your loss.  

*****

It is Tuesday despite any rumours to the contrary.  It is the final day of England's now-defined Stage 4 movement restrictions. The House of Fun was slightly less busy than yesterday though is gearing up for a potentially far busier day tomorrow.  Network Rail has brought in load-counters and crowd-controllers.  We had the latter before but their task is now refocussed to encouraging (the limit of their authority) distance between persons on platforms and in trains.  No-one knows how many people may travel tomorrow nor how, or whether, those travelling by TfL services might find their journeys differing to those on the NR network.  There are suggestions that numbers entering tube stations may be limited for example.  There may be a limit of 15 passengers per bus although most buses aren' t carrying anything like that number for now.  The message going out is "Be prepared to queue" but nothing about how any queues might be managed.  

 

There are hopeful signs that takeaway coffee shops are about to return too.  Floor markings have appeared and fresh stock continues to arrive.  An inside whisper has it that one will open on Monday as a trial and go from there.  There may yet not be enough business to make it viable commercially to exit furlough and resume full revenue risk.  Senior NR managers have been in evidence; senior managers of the TOCs have yet to be sighted on the station.  Of two adjacent ATMs one has been taken out of service and floor markings taped around the other.  A quick perusal suggests those are at one-metre not two-metre intervals but it's better than nothing.   

 

Muggercoffy beckons for now.  A magazine article is due and must be written this afternoon.  All things being equal I'll pop in later to see how we are.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NGT6 1315]

A‘noon all. Long time no see seems to be destined as being my motto these days...
 

After a splendidly sunny weekend, yesterday brought a lot of rain and cooled everything down rather a lot. I even had to thaw frost on the car windows after finishing work after midnight!

 

Will be on the inbound tram for my shift start in a few. Pax numbers are slowly increasing with the recent relaxations of lockdown measures, so it’s possible we’ll return to the regular weekday timetable with a couple of days of advance notice.

 

I but share a widespread worry that people seem to become somewhat careless over their newly regained freedoms, if you want to call it that. In other words, rather like what‘s happening in the UK!

 

The recent weeks did take its toll on my well-being as I often felt like I was working two full-time jobs. As I guess I mentioned at some point long ago, while we had been entitled to critical worker priority from the beginning and could have sent Annika to the nursery, we had decided against it for the time being due to FiL‘s vulnerability. However, as Elise‘s nursery is beginning to return to normal operation, we have to do so now. Annika seems to be quite happy to be back among her friends, however!

 

Sorry to hear your sad news, Andrew. 

 

Stay well, folks. Perhaps I’ll be able to chime in a bit more frequently now at long last!

 

 

[TheQ]

It's always hard losing a furry friend,  feline or canine, always a sad occasion. 

 

Like Simon G, the failing tin shed I'm replacing, was once the log shed, the task of removal will start tomorrow.  However,  the nails have been embedded in the beams for more than 40 years, they won't like being disturbed.. 

 

The Bonfire was err... Bon .. However some piles of stuff elsewhere were not transported to it as we've done so much physical work over the last few days we are knackered.  That includes Ben,  he loves the wheelbarrow wheels running backwards in front  the barrow occasionally want to play with the wheels.  After we got up from a tea break he was moving very stiffly,  so much to his disgust he's not going for his long walk today. 

 

[NGT6 1315]

Can you guess the mistake?

 

 

[81C]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

You can pay in advance or within I think 24 hours. (EDIT  By midnight the day after you cross). I set up an account that automatically tops up by £10 if it drops below £10. Avoids having to think about tolls if we go shopping in Kent (shopping in Kent, those were the days...)

Tony

Hi Tony 

Thanks for the info I've set up the £10 top up scheme as my memory is like a sieve I'm not sure how many times I will be travelling through and I don't get coped for a fine.

Paya Rage

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Very sorry to hear your news Andrew, at least he isn't suffering.

24 minutes ago, 81C said:

Hi Tony 

Thanks for the info I've set up the £10 top up scheme as my memory is like a sieve I'm not sure how many times I will be travelling through and I don't get coped for a fine.

Paya Rage

Should be no problem, as long as you didn't do what I done and mis-typed my car registration. Now for some eyelid inspection.