The Night Mail

[simontaylor484]

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

When I went on one of those pick up events my share was about £50 in various coinage, a number of unopened bottle of Pepsi and Lemonade and about 75 various unopenedd cans of cider and beer.  Please note that was my share:  We picked up far far more.

 

(The following year there was no cash as we had to wait for the needle pickers to do their thing).

 

We avoided the packs of unopened sausages and other food stuffs that should have been refrigerated. 

 

Some of the tentage was best avoided as they had obviously been used as lavatories.

 

Allegedly, the reason it is abandoned is the festival goers simply do not have the storage for such luxuries as tents etc in their humble abodes. so it is not worth taking it home.  When you see how cheaply the likes of Aldi and Lidl can sell their camping equipment for, you can see why the feckless just leave it behind.

You ought to try clearing a travellers site. You have to look out for the carrier bags they have used for sh1tting in. 

 

Travellers caravans are dry they don't have Any water in them at all

 

Picking up needles is not a pleasant task either. Done using litter pickers and sharps box 

[Happy Hippo]

7 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Bear worked with a guy many moons ago that we knew as "B*llshit Bob F******.  Amongst his other stories was the one about arriving back-seat in a Harrier at a Hotel (he was ex. RAF when I knew him).

 

 

 

A fellow officer and a member of the same parachute display team as I made a rather spectacular entrance into an Officers mess in Paderborn.  Returning from a parachute display, he arranged for the pilot to divert slightly on the return to the RAPA base at Bad Lippespringe, and he could then jump into the mess garden, to save having to get a lift home.

 

This was not allowed for obvious reasons, but he still did it, but without a proper defined  exit and opening point, it was risky.

 

He totally misjudged it and his susequent arrival was through a set of double doors into the dining room of the Mess where the occupants were just sitting down for a Ladies Night dinner.

 

To his credit, he was later awarded the George Medal for defusing an IED in Ulster.

[BoD]

10 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

Bullsh*t.

We never could tell with him.  He was a great bloke to know,  and could  tell a really good story. His specialist subject was drama.  We all knew that his tales could be total fabrication or absolute truth - but usually something  in between. He could make them all sound so convincingly true but he never did it for the kudos, just to entertain. This was forty plus years ago and he is no longer with us.

[SM42]

Well I'm still in the land of the living.

 

Andy

[Dave Hunt]

Some (i.e., more than I care to admit to) years ago there was a well known individual who masqueraded as an RAF Squadron Leader and used to visit schools and ATC squadrons in uniform pretending to be from the recruiting office. Exactly why he did this I can't imagine but one evening he tried it on with my Dad's ATC Squadron but Dad became suspicious so asked him whether he knew Flt Lt (as I was then) David Hunt. "Oh, yes," said the scrote, "Know him well." Dad immediately phoned me to ask whether I knew this bloke and when I said I'd never heard of him phoned the police. He was somewhat taken aback when the police sergeant he spoke to said, "Oh, he's at it again is he? Keep him there and we'll come and pick him up." It turned out that the bloke had been arrested many times for impersonating a service officer but despite appearances in court, fines etc. still kept repeating the offence. It takes all sorts I guess.

 

Dave

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

A fellow officer and a member of the same parachute display team as I made a rather spectacular entrance into an Officers mess in Paderborn.  Returning from a parachute display, he arranged for the pilot to divert slightly on the return to the RAPA base at Bad Lippespringe, and he could then jump into the mess garden, to save having to get a lift home.

 

This was not allowed for obvious reasons, but he still did it, but without a proper defined  exit and opening point, it was risky.

 

He totally misjudged it and his susequent arrival was through a set of double doors into the dining room of the Mess where the occupants were just sitting down for a Ladies Night dinner.

 

To his credit, he was later awarded the George Medal for defusing an IED in Ulster.

 

One of my finest moments was on a Friday evening when I was returning to base after being away on detachment. I was late back as there had been a problem with the aircraft on start up but air traffic at home base has agreed to remain open for me to get back rather than spending the weekend away. What I had forgotten was that there was a ladies guest night on so when I announced my arrival with a (low and noisy) flyby of the mess it caused something of a stir. As I was signing the aircraft in the line chief told me that the station commander wanted to see me in the mess, which didn't immediately cause me any concern as I just thought that the usual TGIF was in progress. I was somewhat surprised, therefore, to find the bar empty except for the mess manager who asked me to follow him into the dining room. As I walked in the horrible truth dawned. "Ah, Hunt," said the CO, "Welcome back. On behalf of all those present I would like to thank you for your kind offer to buy the port tonight." I smiled weakly and said, "It's my pleasure Sir." The CO smiled in the same way that wolves smile. "Glad to hear it," he said, "Don't let me detain you further." I slunk away amid much laughter.

 

Dave

 

 

[Northmoor]

45 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

One of my finest moments was on a Friday evening when I was returning to base after being away on detachment. I was late back as there had been a problem with the aircraft on start up but air traffic at home base has agreed to remain open for me to get back rather than spending the weekend away. What I had forgotten was that there was a ladies guest night on so when I announced my arrival with a (low and noisy) flyby of the mess it caused something of a stir. As I was signing the aircraft in the line chief told me that the station commander wanted to see me in the mess, which didn't immediately cause me any concern as I just thought that the usual TGIF was in progress. I was somewhat surprised, therefore, to find the bar empty except for the mess manager who asked me to follow him into the dining room. As I walked in the horrible truth dawned. "Ah, Hunt," said the CO, "Welcome back. On behalf of all those present I would like to thank you for your kind offer to buy the port tonight." I smiled weakly and said, "It's my pleasure Sir." The CO smiled in the same way that wolves smile. "Glad to hear it," he said, "Don't let me detain you further." I slunk away amid much laughter.

I was told of a Lightning fly-by at Boscombe Down, which was reported to have cracked a couple of windows.  The "story" went that the Station Commander was in the toilets at the time and, "concluded his business rather quicker than he was expecting".

[polybear]

18 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

I was told of a Lightning fly-by at Boscombe Down, which was reported to have cracked a couple of windows.  The "story" went that the Station Commander was in the toilets at the time and, "concluded his business rather quicker than he was expecting".

 

I heard a similar story at BAe Warton (late 80's/90's) - IIRC it was a departing (retiring?) BAe Test Pilot who "gave it some" in a Tornado and saw off something like 120(?) windows in the Warton area in the process.

[Adam88]

7 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

I tried my hand at making some S7 point work this morning:

 

 

I don't think my flangeways are set correctly!

 

 

Was that done using Templot?

 

[AndyID]

3 hours ago, pH said:

It’s (allegedly) not uncommon for hotel staff in high-end hotels in the Whistler ski resort here to find brand-new ski equipment and clothing left in hotel rooms. Bought locally, used for the length of one skiing holiday, then abandoned.

 

I wouldn't be surprised. In Colorado there are dumpsters full of skis at the end of the season. A cheap pair can cost about the same as a one day lift ticket at the expensive resorts.

[AndyID]

MrsID's find this week is a 12 inch Portmeirion quiche dish (Botanic Garden - Dog Rose.) She knew exactly what is was as soon as she spotted it. I've seen some as high as $85. She paid $3 😀

 

Interesting thing is it says "Made in England" on the bottom. Has Portmeirion been annexed?

 

 

[Florence Locomotive Works]

9 hours ago, polybear said:

 

We're in dire need of a "runs away screaming" emoji.....

It could be worse though - the same Auction House has this:

https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/eastanglia/auction/lot/115673

@Florence Locomotive Works may spot a restoration project in one of the photos....

 

 

Now you're cookin'.....

It'll need decontamination though.....

 

 

One of Bear's claims to fame (there aren't many) is that I did have dealings with The Chief of "A Navy" - two, in fact, at different times.  One was an ok guy.  The other?  I'll not go there.  I also flew with a SiL of The King.  Nice Guy (the SiL, that is - never did meet the King....).

 

 

Those doors remind me of Chigley.

 

 

Going thru' that lot whilst dodging the used needles wouldn't be this Bear's idea of fun.

 

 

A fifth of the current value would be a lot nicer...

Looks to be in all right condition, probably either a Cincinnati or a Barnes, but more then likely a Barnes. 

[iL Dottore]

5 hours ago, AndyID said:

Interesting thing is it says "Made in England" on the bottom. Has Portmeirion been annexed?

A couple of possibilities there, Andy.
 

First of it could be stamped “Made in England“ as it was a destined from the onset to be exported and as in many countries of the world the inhabitants’ level of geographical awareness is such that they probably have heard about England, but Wales? Isn’t that a big fish that swims in the sea? 

 

Secondly (and to go all Guardian on you) it could be simply another example of English imperialism whereby anything good is co-opted and stamped “Made in England” thus further oppressing an already marginalised community*

 

Thirdly, it was actually made in the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese manufacturers – having run out of “Made in Wales“ transfers – just put the next closest country transfer on the dish.

 

* p.s. not sure how I managed to write that sentence without bursting into laughter.

[iL Dottore]

It’s interesting (and somewhat dispiriting) to read of the necessity of having volunteers clean up after festivals in the UK and in the US. Clearly, some people are – quite literally – filthy pigs (and that’s maligning the poor pigs). In many countries (such as Switzerland, Japan, Singapore) to leave behind that sort of mess and filth would be socially unacceptable (and, no doubt, against various laws and bylaws that would be enforced).

 

Recently, near the holiday hovel, the Swiss Scouting Association held a huge jamboree with over 30,000 scouts from Switzerland and around the world descending into one small area. Construction of the temporary structures began in mid July and, as Mrs iD reported when she went back to the holiday hovel after the jamboree was over, the only thing the scouts left behind them was a lot of squashed grass. Everything else – temporary structures, waste, the inevitable broken items – had been cleared away and properly disposed off. For those who can read German, the following may be of interest: https://www.goms.ch/bula. Pretty impressive logistics, I would say.

 

Having said that, it is certainly not unknown for the stupidly rich (or should that be “stupid rich“) to leave behind almost brand-new skiing equipment in luxury Swiss hotels at the more expensive skiing resorts – simply because they can’t be ars3d to take it with them (note: such individuals are invariably the nouveau riche, “ old money“ generally doesn’t do that. A family doesn’t get to be “old money“ by throwing away perfectly good items and then buying them anew. Terry Pratchett, as ever an astute observer of the world, in one of his books muses on how the very rich can actually spend less than poorer people simply because they buy high quality things that last and keep them forever”)

[Tony_S]

6 hours ago, AndyID said:

MrsID's find this week is a 12 inch Portmeirion quiche dish (Botanic Garden - Dog Rose.) She knew exactly what is was as soon as she spotted it. I've seen some as high as $85. She paid $3 😀

 

Interesting thing is it says "Made in England" on the bottom. Has Portmeirion been annexed?

 

 

Stoke on Trent is definitely in England. I am sure MiL visited the Portmeirion factory on days out with friends when she lived in Nottingham. 

[AndyID]

5 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Stoke on Trent is definitely in England. I am sure MiL visited the Portmeirion factory on days out with friends when she lived in Nottingham. 

 

Yes, Stoke-on-Trent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmeirion_Pottery

 

I thought it had been around for ages but it was started in the sixties.

[Happy Hippo]

7 hours ago, AndyID said:

MrsID's find this week is a 12 inch Portmeirion quiche dish (Botanic Garden - Dog Rose.) She knew exactly what is was as soon as she spotted it. I've seen some as high as $85. She paid $3 😀

 

Interesting thing is it says "Made in England" on the bottom. Has Portmeirion been annexed?

 

 

You sure it's not a Dog's bowl for the Rose garden?

Edited September 1, 2022 by Happy Hippo

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

 

 

Recently, near the holiday hovel, the Swiss Scouting Association held a huge jamboree with over 30,000 scouts from Switzerland and around the world descending into one small area. Construction of the temporary structures began in mid July and, as Mrs iD reported when she went back to the holiday hovel after the jamboree was over, the only thing the scouts left behind them was a lot of squashed grass. Everything else – temporary structures, waste, the inevitable broken items – had been cleared away and properly disposed off. For those who can read German, the following may be of interest: https://www.goms.ch/bula. Pretty impressive logistics, I would say.

 

 

And even the public transport  was well organised. According to the latest Todays Railways Europe. The relevant  narrow gauge line, the MOB, borrowed some older stock from the RhB, even going to the extent of putting the correct cantonal transfers on it. The transfers were made in the Preizer factory. This stock exchange ensured that there was enough stock to transport all the scouts.  Good work.  Apparently the coaches were sent for s rap as soon as they were returned.

 

Jamie

[Happy Hippo]

14 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

And even the public transport  was well organised. According to the latest Todays Railways Europe. The relevant  narrow gauge line, the MOB, borrowed some older stock from the RhB, even going to the extent of putting the correct cantonal transfers on it. The transfers were made in the Preizer factory. This stock exchange ensured that there was enough stock to transport all the scouts.  Good work.  Apparently the coaches were sent for s rap as soon as they were returned.

 

Jamie

I always thought Swiss Narrow gauge was the perfect model railway.

 

Impossibly steep gradients and very sharp curves plus immaculate PW.  No litter or graffiti, spotless locos and stock so no need for weathering.

 

Even the snow is proper white.  no grey (or yellow) in the Cantons.

 

Although the Welsh element will confirm that during a hard winter there is plenty of grey and yellow snow in Cardiff's Canton.

[New Haven Neil]

@Happy Hippo  'Agree'

 

 

Of course crossing the border into Italy changes things.

 

[Adam88]

Speaking of Switzerland I spent a few days there last month including a visit to the transport museum in Lucerne, a trip up the Zermatt line and to Neuchâtel.  On certain days in the summer the local tramway society is allowed to run its vintage metre gauge tramcars on the line along the lakeside from the city centre to a terminus 8Km away at Boudry where they have a modest but active museum.  No fare is charged but the hat is handed round.  A very pleasant day indeed.

 

 

Electric car 73 (1922) and trailer 143 (1897, rebuilt 1914 & 1964)

 

 

Horse car No 1 of 1894

 

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

@Happy Hippo  'Agree'

 

Of course crossing the border into Italy changes things.

 

 

Doesn't the graffiti on that locomotive say HIPPO?

 

I always knew he was a bit of a scally but wasn't aware that he was a budding Banksy.

 

Dave

[TheQ]

beaten to it..

Edited September 1, 2022 by TheQ

[TheQ]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

 

Recently, near the holiday hovel, the Swiss Scouting Association held a huge jamboree with over 30,000 scouts from Switzerland and around the world descending into one small area. Construction of the temporary structures began in mid July and, as Mrs iD reported when she went back to the holiday hovel after the jamboree was over, the only thing the scouts left behind them was a lot of squashed grass. Everything else – temporary structures, waste, the inevitable broken items – had been cleared away and properly disposed off. For those who can read German, the following may be of interest: https://www.goms.ch/bula. Pretty impressive logistics, I would say.

 

 

If you go to a Scout Jamboree in the UK or the Equivalent from the Boys Brigade or Guides  you will also find their site spotless after they have left.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

Doesn't the graffiti on that locomotive say HIPPO?

 

I always knew he was a bit of a scally but wasn't aware that he was a budding Banksy.

 

Dave

 

You'd never recognise me during my painting sprees, 'cos I wears a mask!