RMweb Premium figworthy Posted December 16, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 16, 2023 5 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: I am now going to drift outside to the garage and indulge in the reckless sorting out of the drawer that contains the bolts washers and screws. Some people hippos really know how to live. Adrian 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 As is usual when packing the car the question I ask is " Is that everything? " Yes' I am assured I know it's it's lie. The stuff keeps coming. "Is he car full?" She asks " yes, rammed" I reply " there's room for this bag though " she says. " Yes dear, on your lap " " Oh" Andy 5 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium J. S. Bach Posted December 16, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 16, 2023 Night Owl from the Piedmont. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted December 16, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 16, 2023 18 minutes ago, SM42 said: As is usual when packing the car the question I ask is " Is that everything? " Yes' I am assured I know it's it's lie. The stuff keeps coming. "Is he car full?" She asks " yes, rammed" I reply " there's room for this bag though " she says. " Yes dear, on your lap " " Oh" Andy Getting the spare out..........in the rain.....in the dark could be fun...... 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted December 16, 2023 Share Posted December 16, 2023 2 hours ago, figworthy said: Some people hippos really know how to live. Adrian Its life in the fast lane! 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted December 17, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2023 9 hours ago, SM42 said: As is usual when packing the car the question I ask is " Is that everything? " Yes' I am assured I know it's it's lie. The stuff keeps coming. "Is he car full?" She asks " yes, rammed" I reply " there's room for this bag though " she says. " Yes dear, on your lap " " Oh" Andy Perhaps you need to buy a Transit van? 4 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted December 17, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2023 3 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: Perhaps you need to buy a Transit van? Though I suspect that would get filled too. Though for crossing Germany quickly one of those Mercedes Sprinter vans would be good. They seem to be the fastest vehicles on the autobahn now. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted December 17, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2023 Nyda went for another rest this afternoon. I removed myself from the house, and gambolled into the garage (after first opening the doors!). Whilst sorting through the bottom draw of the mobile tool chest, a place always good for illicit (as in banned from the house) substance, I came across two of Lidl's caramel bars (a sort of Mars bar clone). Such a joy to consume these with a cup of tea. I am now required to quietly repent, and peel some potatoes! 4 2 9 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 (edited) I am in receipt of my first Christmas present. A daughter sent me a pair of socks. But not just any socks. These are electric socks. They have built in heating elements and rechargeable batteries. Edited December 17, 2023 by AndyID 7 2 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 12 hours ago, Tony_S said: Though I suspect that would get filled too. Though for crossing Germany quickly one of those Mercedes Sprinter vans would be good. They seem to be the fastest vehicles on the autobahn now. It would . Yet again I've been holding up traffic at 102mph. There was Fiat Panda giving it a go too. You could almost hear the pistons screaming " let me out! let me out!" Andy 1 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winslow Boy Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 7 minutes ago, SM42 said: It would . Yet again I've been holding up traffic at 102mph. There was Fiat Panda giving it a go too. You could almost hear the pistons screaming " let me out! let me out!" Andy Your not peddling fast enough! Did you have your three shredded wheat this morning? 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium J. S. Bach Posted December 18, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 18, 2023 Night Owl from the Piedmont. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 12 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: Nyda went for another rest this afternoon. I removed myself from the house, and gambolled into the garage (after first opening the doors!). Whilst sorting through the bottom draw of the mobile tool chest, a place always good for illicit (as in banned from the house) substance, I came across two of Lidl's caramel bars (a sort of Mars bar clone). Such a joy to consume these with a cup of tea. I am now required to quietly repent, and peel some potatoes! I usually have the Aldi equivalent, they're all much of a muchness, my nearest Lidl is inconveniently situated. As for spuds, I rarely peel them nowadays, just dig out the eyes and scrape out any damaged bits. Peeling only happens if mash is required. 9 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted December 18, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Hroth said: I usually have the Aldi equivalent, they're all much of a muchness, my nearest Lidl is inconveniently situated. As for spuds, I rarely peel them nowadays, just dig out the eyes and scrape out any damaged bits. Peeling only happens if mash is required. Mash was required for a fish pie. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 10 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said: Mash was required for a fish pie. A popular dish in Scotland is, of course, mince and potatoes. I'm not sure how prevalent that is in other other places but if you do make it and you have a new-fangled electric pressure cooker you can easily take it to another level. The trick is to brown the mince (ground beef) to get a Maillard reaction on a lot of it. Bung it in the pressure cooker on the "Brown" stetting, break it down and stir it a lot while it's browning. Keep going until it's just beginning to stick to the bowl and keep stirring it for a bit longer. That's the reaction you want. You want it on a lot of the surfaces of the beef because it really enhances the flavor. After that add some stock and diced onion, chopped carrot if you wish and pressure cook on high for maybe 25 minutes. 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Today's tasks involve, unloading the car, shopping, cleaning, putting up the Christmas decorations and with a bit of luck there my be some time for relaxing later Discussion on tree placement has begun. I'm all for the easy option of standing it on the floor the corner. Mrs SM42 has some complex plan about putting it on the table from the balcony, which will require more effort from me. I thought holidays are supposed to be relaxing. The only bright spot today will be that we are taking the in laws shopping and that means there will be cake when we get back to theirs. Andy 7 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 1 hour ago, AndyID said: A popular dish in Scotland is, of course, mince and potatoes. I'm not sure how prevalent that is in other other places but if you do make it and you have a new-fangled electric pressure cooker you can easily take it to another level. The trick is to brown the mince (ground beef) to get a Maillard reaction on a lot of it. Bung it in the pressure cooker on the "Brown" stetting, break it down and stir it a lot while it's browning. Keep going until it's just beginning to stick to the bowl and keep stirring it for a bit longer. That's the reaction you want. You want it on a lot of the surfaces of the beef because it really enhances the flavor. After that add some stock and diced onion, chopped carrot if you wish and pressure cook on high for maybe 25 minutes. A succinct set of instructions for tasty mince, but - perhaps sadly - tatties and mince has never appealed to me (possibly because every time I’ve encountered it, the mince has been watery and tasteless, and the potato was lumpy and gritty). On the other hand, there’s so many other foodstuffs from Scotland (apart from the eponymous single malt) I enjoy, that I don’t feel that I’m missing out. Lorne Sausage, Tattie Scones (if done well), Scotch Pies, Arbroath Smokies and - of course - Haggis!!! (which Mrs iD and I enjoy greatly. We regularly have tatties, neeps and Haggis with various whisky based sauces [the sauces an ongoing series of experiments to find the perfect one]). Apart from Cranachan, Dundee Cake and the deep-fried Mars Bar, I’m not terribly familiar with Scottish puddings and sweets. Just as well I suppose - there’s usually not much space left after a Haggis supper. 8 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM42 Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Today's tasks involve, unloading the car, shopping, cleaning, putting up the Christmas decorations and with a bit of luck there my be some time for relaxing later OK who's bright idea was an extension lead without an earth pin? Worse still no facilty to accommodate the earth pin the male end. Thus it cannot be plugged into anything. Andy 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted December 18, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2023 34 minutes ago, SM42 said: Today's tasks involve, unloading the car, shopping, cleaning, putting up the Christmas decorations and with a bit of luck there my be some time for relaxing later OK who's bright idea was an extension lead without an earth pin? Worse still no facilty to accommodate the earth pin the male end. Thus it cannot be plugged into anything. Andy Obviously designed by a DCC acolyte who believes you only ever need two wires. 1 1 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted December 18, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2023 2 hours ago, SM42 said: Today's tasks involve, unloading the car, shopping, cleaning, putting up the Christmas decorations and with a bit of luck there my be some time for relaxing later After driving across Europe, I could probably cope with unloading the car and eating a light meal but nothing more strenuous. 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: Obviously designed by a DCC acolyte who believes you only ever need two wires. Two wires yes, but they bifurcate a lot! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted December 18, 2023 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2023 (edited) Our Vax upright carpet cleaner started whining. It never happens when Nyda is using it. A close inspection has revealed one of the rotating brush bearings is giving up the ghost. I know it will run on with an application of machine oil, but I know that the bearing needs replacing. Information passed up the chain of command has suggested the Vax is now u/s until a replacement has been fitted. I believe the message may have been corrupted during transmission. Of course, it's fixable. The bearing is rivetted to the spindle, so that needs to be drilled out and then a suitable replacement bearing purchased, inserted and re-secured. It's a cheap enough repair, but does take up some time and effort. Having checked the Vax website, a complete new assembly is very reasonably priced, so one has been ordered. This has put the brakes on the pre Christmas cleaning frenzy, so a good result. Or, perhaps more realistically, a temporary reprieve, until Nyda remembers we have a Cordless Vax in the garage, which I use for cleaning the car. Edited December 18, 2023 by Happy Hippo 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Just be glad it isn't a Dyson! 4 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted December 18, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 18, 2023 4 minutes ago, Hroth said: Just be glad it isn't a Dyson! Having bought an aftermarket, much more powerful battery for our Dyson it is now the machine it should have been from the start. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 All this modern fragile tech. As the happy inheritor of two 1950's Electroluxii still capable of lifting themselves off the deck by their own suction I scorn this new-fangled junk. 7 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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