Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

Just now, PhilJ W said:

Breaking news, Brian May (of Queen) has been rushed to hospital following a heart attack.

Sorry to hear that.  He has been unwell with some sort of muscle damage recently and he looked far from well in a picture published earlier today on a news site.

[jamie92208]

According to the Beeb 20 minutes ago he has had stents fitted and us now readybto rock.

 

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

I'm glad to see the shed is being maintained to the high standards expected by the Directors of the Midland Railway company.

 

 

Unfortunately  the shed was bought second hand and is obviously of GWR heritage.

 

Jamie

[roundhouse]

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

I'm glad to see the shed is being maintained to the high standards expected by the Directors of the Midland Railway company.

 

 

Its the wrong colour for a midland shed

 

 

[The Stationmaster]

7 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

 

 

Unfortunately  the shed was bought second hand and is obviously of GWR heritage.

 

Jamie

I doubt it. - it just doesn't look broad enough to be of GWR heritage.  Maybe it's LNER with all that faded woodwork where the varnish has worn off?

[45156]

20 hours ago, Chris116 said:

The easy solution to that is to come here on a smart phone which is what I do when away from home or using the computer for other things.

Yes, that's an idea.  However, I really don't like the mobile version of this site, and also it is normally always me driving the computer as well, as 30747 just gets me to do all her searching and the like, as she's not all that computer savvy.

 

Morning All

 

Will hopefully backread later, but am just having a quick peek while trying to get a slot booked to get rid of a whole load of garden rubbish at the tip in Lancaster.  Fodder run done, and a goodly supply of still fresh but on use by date items obtained - three chicken kormas, one sweet and sour chicken, three packs of pork chipolatas, all for under a fiver (70p each).  Ate the last of the stuff we got two weeks ago - six steak and ale pies at 20p each, last two defrosted and consumed yesterday.  Meantime, generic greetings are on offer pending a revisit later.

 

Back later (hopefully)

Regards to All

Stewart

[Chris116]

2 minutes ago, 45156 said:

Yes, that's an idea.  However, I really don't like the mobile version of this site, and also it is normally always me driving the computer as well, as 30747 just gets me to do all her searching and the like, as she's not all that computer savvy.

I have found that I got used to the mobile version fairly quickly and at least it does not have all the adverts for ladies underwear that the laptop seems to get all the time and do not go down well with my wife!

 

If you are having to do the searching I understand.

[AndyB]

1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said:

Morning all.

 

And a sunny one it is.  her ladyship has stated that later today she wishes be chauffeured around the countryside 'to get her out of the house' - we will remain in car and not join the crowds, unless i despatch her into Tesco for a 'paper.

 

Now to remind you (as if you need it  ) of the question -  'Glasgow has had one twice, Bristol has had one twice, but Exeter has only had one once.  What is it?'  There is nothing I can see in there to imply anything about the time at which 'it' did or didn't happen - simply a statement in respect of each name (therein might lie a potential clue).   KZ had got very much on the right sort of track with reference to two separate things in his first response to the question.  I can confirm that it has nothing at all to do with railways or airports in any way shape or form (Note *) and it might pay to think in what wider or other context the names of the places might be used.  There is no trick to the question the information in respect of each place name is a simple statement of fact but do note the tenses in both the statements of fact and the question and don't forget that 'has had' can have a number of meanings.

The Note * -  I'll say that before anybody does come up with that answer although in that context Exeter has more than one anyway.

 

Looks like it might be a good listener question to submit to 'Round Britain Quiz'.  I have a suspicion who might be the first to get the answer but I shall wait and see. 

 

In the meanwhile enjoy your day and stay safe (without frying your brain)

Universities?

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Bright and sunny this morning, its hard to believe its a bank holiday. 

Luton and Southend designate themselves as 'London' airports. 

Approved by whom?

Me.

 

So I know I'm correct!

[jamie92208]

4 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

According to something I was just reading a decent size in-ground pool in the US will run you around $75,000 at the moment. The house we bought in Arizona (in 1983) came with a good sized pool but I seem to remember we only paid $84,000 for the whole shooting match

Thankfully we're going for an above ground or Hors de sol as the locals say. €1500 all in and we already have most of the infrastructure in terms of electrics. Technically it's a temporary structure so doesn't increase our taxe d'habitation. However on advice from the firm we are going to have a concrete raft installed. That will deter the little furry creatures that burrowed under and scratched the first one. 

As an aside we think we've drowned  the little blighters emptying the old pool. Normally there are about 5 new mole hills per week. Not one this week.

 

Jamie

[Rugd1022]

A'noon all,

 

Best wishes all round including Mr.May, let's hope the be-permed axeman makes a swift and full recovery.

 

We've just about finished filling the skip at the bottom of the garden, it's amazing how much crap two people can accumulate and dig up without even trying.... only a small proportion of its contents is 'builder's rubble', most of it is old furniture, house hold gubbins and odds 'n' sods from the garage.... I was going to take the old armchair apart first but her indoors has just poured me a G&T so I couldn't be bothered...!

 

 

[The Stationmaster]

20 minutes ago, AndyB said:

Universities?

No.

[iL Dottore]

3 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

..Actually, to save further speculation, it's the number of approved muddy hollows in each location.

Wrong!, totally wrong!
It’s the number of Michelin starred pie shops...

On 24/05/2020 at 11:58, PhilJ W said:

Congratulations, you have just come up with a new saying/expression. "Doing a Cummings." Meaning to ignore the lock-down rules. Lets see if we can make it spread by using it on social media and the media in general. 

I think “doing a politico” would be more accurate (puts on Captain Cynical outfit), as politicians on both sides of the political fence are more notable - these days - for [a] having their snouts in the trough and for operating on the “don’t do as I do, do as I say” principle (I.e. one set of [advantageous] rules for them, one set of rules for the little people) than for statesmanship or public service.  ‘Twas ever thus, I hear you say and I agree, but one would have thought with the advent of social media and 24/7 public scrutiny there would be more probity than less than in days of yore. Or is it that nothing has really changed but now less gets swept under the carpet???

On 24/05/2020 at 12:26, Coombe Barton said:

What's ironing?

What’s a washing machine?

15 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

...The news media widely interpreted this to mean that there was less risk of transmission from surfaces. The CDC responded by editing their website to note that transmission from surfaces may still be possible, but "this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads"...

There is also another consideration when looking at surface contamination by viruses: which is how long the virus remains active (the correct terminology is, I am led to understand, is that a virus is inactivated, not killed [not really being a living organism, being, as they are, on the border between chemistry and life]).

A recent scientific article (and I’m sorry that I can’t recall the source) presented data that indicated that you can find traces of viruses on surfaces long after the virus is inactivated and can no longer be infectious. Depending upon they type of surface and other conditions, some viruses are inactivated quite quickly although still detectable on the surface for some time afterwards. Furthermore the amount of exposure, as with all infectious disease, will impact on the likelihood of catching the disease.
Generally, surface to human infection rates are very low, but that also depends upon the virus/bacterium in question. Some are incredibly infectious, requiring minimal exposure, others - unless you bathe in an infected person’s bodily fluids - a lot harder to pick up (OK, I exaggerate a bit on the latter).

If nothing else, perhaps the pandemic will refocus people’s minds on hygiene - both of body and environment (some would argue that the provision of clean water, proper sanitation and the regular use of soap and water for washing hands and body have done more to increase the health of the world then all the medicines combined).

13 hours ago, Barry O said:

I am building some pease pudding now.. leaving it overnight to "mature"....should be nice in a bacon sarnie for breakfast!

Baz

How?
Do you rewarm it, or do you form it into patties, dip the patties in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs and shallow fry until golden. Or do you eat it cold?

I am curious.

5 hours ago, chrisf said:

..It was washed down with an indifferent chardonnay because I could not find hock or riesling.  ..

Chris, you are continually surprising me...

I know you to be a CAMRA fellow, through and through, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of real ales. But an oenophile as well?
The next time we meet, instead enjoying a companionable pint of “Old Scruttock’s Badger Testicles” perhaps we can open a bottle of Baslerlokalesgutedelweisswein.

4 hours ago, AndyID said:but now, unless you are talking about ridiculously exotic vehicles, there's virtually nothing to differentiate vehicles based on mechanical features...

I remember a series of ads in the 80s for the Citroen 2CV in Private Eye (possibly elsewhere?) that went along the lines of

- The same legal top speed as a Ferrari...

- As many wheels as a Rolls Royce...

- Central Locking! All doors accessible from the driver’s seat...

and so on.

You mention a Fiat Spyder, unlike many of my generation, Italian sports cars and “supercars” never “clicked” with me, with the exception of the Maserati Biturbo, which I thought were i ginocchi degli api (the bee’s knees) and were not impossibly expensive....

1 hour ago, Simon G said:

.... My rows of peas need some weeding, ..

Simon G. Gardener, who squats amongst the cabbages and peas..

I know, I know, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t resist...

I’ll get me coat...

22 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

Sorry to hear that.  He has been unwell with some sort of muscle damage recently and he looked far from well in a picture published earlier today on a news site.

I hope that he recovers quickly. Brian May is really a top bloke and apart from creating some great, timeless, music, is a really smart cookie (PhD in astrophysics) and a passionate (and sensible) animal rights campaigner.

 

Enjoy Monday!

[AndrewC]

Greetings all from the Costa del Boring. Lovely sunny day on the patio. For once the builders next door remembered that today is a bank holiday. They’re still living in the garage. Tomorrow will be interesting as the council has ordered their eviction and tomorrow is D day. 

 

For some stupid reason the iPad mobile version of the forum software is not letting me like any posts. Then again, I got the text saved from a week ago when I opened the post reply. Something hinky going on. 

 

Today may be another do buqqer all day. My get up and go, got up and went. I may make a brave assault on the orange shed later in the afternoon. Allegedly, that is their quiet time. Then again I may wait until tomorrow when more people are back to “work”. 

 

Little else to say. Enjoy the day. 

[iL Dottore]

I really don’t know what happened to the post above and I can’t change/edit it.

Sorry

 

[roundhouse]

8 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I really don’t know what happened to the post above and I can’t change/edit it.

Sorry

 

You are forgiven.

 

Aren't washing machines for putting tins of paint on top to agitate them when someone else switches it on??

 

yesterday the garden railway ran fine till I went out the front door then a loose freight car caused a pile up and after that couldnt get any thing to run. So this morning powered up and nothing, swapped loco again but still nothing. Went inside to look at the power unit and suddenly the loco started moving. So I have left the power unit alone for now and the first train today has been running for hours with no derailments etc. We may run Amtrak later.

[Happy Hippo]

11 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

The new vehicle has all of the above except that it's a manual.

My "go-to" extras - nay standards, nowadays - are heated seats, mirrors and front windows. 

Yes, front windows are a must on any car I buy, so's a decent windscreen.

[Simon G]

43 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

 

Simon G. Gardener, who squats amongst the cabbages and peas..

I know, I know, I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t resist...

I’ll get me coat...

 

OI, I resemble that!!  I am just as happy to squat amongst the potatoes and beetroot, as it happens! 

[Happy Hippo]

19 minutes ago, Simon G said:

OI, I resemble that!!  I am just as happy to squat amongst the potatoes and beetroot, as it happens! 

 

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

. However on advice from the firm we are going to have a concrete raft installed. That will deter the little furry creatures that burrowed under and scratched the first one. 

We have our compost bin on a layer of bricks. Furry creatures (not moles) quite like tunnelling in from below , as we discovered at our previous house. 

 

[Happy Hippo]

2 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 However on advice from the firm we are going to have a concrete raft installed.

Concrete rafts do not float well.

 

(Not unlike hippos)

Edited May 25, 2020 by Happy Hippo

[jamie92208]

20 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

Concrete rafts do not float well.

 

(Not unlike hippos)

They actually built concrete barges during WW1.   They did work brtter than lead balloons.

 

Jamie

[Tony_S]

12 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

They actually built concrete barges during WW1.   They did work brtter than lead balloons.

 

Jamie

And later than WW1.

i remember the fuss when the sailing club demolished the barge.

https://beyondcanvey.wordpress.com/historic-locations/canvey-island/the-second-world-war/the-concrete-barge-1940s/

 

Tony

[Gwiwer]

9 hours ago, chrisf said:

If it is not too hot outside today, there may be g*rd*n*ng

This task was performed after breakfast though was still found to be a very warm welcome to the day.  Yesterday's efforts saw a large load of weeds removed and some new seedlings planted.  Whilst I won the war of the weeds I lost one battle - digging out a clematis root the fork handle snapped and a replacement has been ordered.  The fork itself is of some age having been reclaimed from mother's gardening shed after her passing and known to have been hers for over 60 years.  It had a good innings.  No harm was done to me and the clematis root was eventually lifted with the spade.

 

It is hot here and no mistake.  Officially 25C but feeling like north of 30C in the sheltered lawns and gardens.  Even our two most senior residents (94 and 98 I think) are out - face-masked - in the sun.  I am taking a break having been out for two hours before lunch, an hour since and am expecting to return outside soon with ale in hand.  Or rather ale in glass in hand which is a rather easier way to convey and manage it   

 

I haven't read through the several pages of the past 24 hours or so but may get a chance later.  Suffice to say that there are more important things happening in the world than what a government adviser did or did not do.  You may have missed the fact that in Westminster a Ferrari driver T-boned a bus (Borismaster type) claiming the stationary bus had swerved into his path and that he was only doing the permitted 20mph.  The bus can be re-panlled.  the Ferrari is a £200,000 write-off.  You don't get that sort of damage at 20mph.  And his replacement car might take a few years to arrive!  I am reminded of the term c0ckwomble.  

 

Another word is required to describe the party from London who were "discovered" (as others had seen them doing things they shouldn't) camping overnight in Tilly Whim Caves, Dorset.  To enter required scaling a 10-foot high security fence and a wall.  The "caves", which are an old stone quarry / mine and not natural caves at all, were closed to the public many years ago after they were found to be unstable and the steps inside worn to the point of danger.  It's almost 60 years since I was taken down there by a still-nimble grandfather.  The illicit visitors, breaking more than a few rules, might deserve the term c**tpuffins.  

 

Upon that note farewell until later.  Stay well. 

 

[45156]

3 hours ago, 45156 said:

YWill hopefully backread later, but am just having a quick peek while trying to get a slot booked to get rid of a whole load of garden rubbish at the tip in Lancaster. 

Both of the above duly completed, and slot finally booked for Saturday morning at the eighth attempt, 

 

Not a lot more to report or to comment on today - so I'll go elsewhere to read some of the rest of RMWeb.

[Chris116]

As those who read my waffle will know my wife had a hip replacement at the end of February and had until five days ago been very good at doing two walks each day as instructed by the doctor. The past two weeks she has been limited how far she can walk by her knees which also need replacing in the future. She became frustrated and refused to go for a walk the past few days so I was very pleased when she said she would go for a walk today and even more pleased when she walked further than sh has managed at any time since the operation.

 

Weather is a lot warmer than over the past few days but as we have ceiling fans in both the lounge and the bedroom there is no problem. Both of us are missing going out as I suspect most people are. The fact that public figures do not follow the instructions that we are all supposed to following makes it that little bit worse that we cannot go out.

 

My layout still has not had any work done on it as this 65 year old seems to have lost the confidence that he had as a 16 year old when it comes to building a layout. I have never been keen on the building part having always preferred the operation side of the hobby but in the past the thought of the operation got me working on the building.