Early Risers.

[shortliner]

Well. you can occasionally by Roo steak in Lidl, as well as ostrich, moose, and reindeer - all of which are very nice!

[Tony_S]

At hospital. First part done (removal) now wait to see if it's worked.

 

Blue, frosty, then foggy.

Does it eventually turn to a pale straw colour?

[Gwiwer]

 

you'll also find a view of Newcastle signalbox as it was back in 2004.

 

 

Those 620 sets are gone now.  2004 or 5 was the end of them IIRC.  Strange little beasts.  They had open gas mantles inside for heating!!!

 

There's a lot of passion and hot air vented here over the "edibility" of kangaroo.  It's very good lean meat.  Bit gamey and not really to my taste but very widely available as steaks, burgers, sausages, mince, diced ..... You still find a lot of people who feel they can't eat one of the national emblems (there's a 'roo and an emu on the coat of arms - both are perfectly edible) and some who positively wince over "easting Skippy".

 

I've had it a couple of times.  Once it was woefully over-seasoned and tasted only of pepper.  The other it was very well cooked but just as I prefer chicken to pigeon I'll stick with moo-cow in preference to boingaroo.

[The Stationmaster]

Those 620 sets are gone now.  2004 or 5 was the end of them IIRC.  Strange little beasts.  They had open gas mantles inside for heating!!!

 

There's a lot of passion and hot air vented here over the "edibility" of kangaroo.  It's very good lean meat.  Bit gamey and not really to my taste but very widely available as steaks, burgers, sausages, mince, diced ..... You still find a lot of people who feel they can't eat one of the national emblems (there's a 'roo and an emu on the coat of arms - both are perfectly edible) and some who positively wince over "easting Skippy".

 

I've had it a couple of times.  Once it was woefully over-seasoned and tasted only of pepper.  The other it was very well cooked but just as I prefer chicken to pigeon I'll stick with moo-cow in preference to boingaroo.

I found 'roo meat (or rather the cuts of it which I've had) part way between cow and horse meat in texture and, to me, very palatable.  I do wonder just how much of it finds its way into those somewhat nondescript 'meat pies' which seemed to abound in butcher's shops in the Sydney area?

[Ashcombe]

I enjoyed a kangaroo steak in a restaurant on one of our trips to Australia.

 

A sunny morning here has now turned to showers.

 

Having seen my GP about 10days ago for the results of a hip X-ray (osteoarthritis confirmed), I received a letter asking me to ring to make an appointment to see a specialist. Amazingly, I shall be seen on the 27th March (I was offered 24th but am busy that day) which isn't too long to wait, although this is just the initial consultation. My right hip was resurfaced at Cannock Hospital (part of the infamous Mid Staffs Trust!) in 2005 so, if surgery is required, I'm hoping to have the same procedure. Last time I was treated by a consultant who was also a near neighbour! He would like to treat me again but overall, I think I'm better off being with my local health team for all the pre and post op care required, besides the actual operation, if needed. Watch this space!!

 

And have a good week, everyone!

[kevinlms]

I have travelled with people who couldn't find 5th. It makes you wonder whether they shouldn't have bought an automatic instead, because the additional fuel burnt by not using 5th probably evens out the normally higher cost of running an auto. And of course, they are never the sort to change down three times while braking for the hairpin, so the slight loss of immediacy (that I ignorantly associate with automatics) won't matter.

In Australia, the vast majority of car sales are automatics. Any fleet operator will tell you, that the overall running costs of autos are cheaper than manuals, taking into account the cost of clutch repairs.

[AndrewC]

Never really liked roo meat. Ostrich on the other hand is quite nice. Strange as it may seem there are a number of ostrich farms in the UK and Canada. Wild meats like moose, elk, etc can be nice if done properly or bloody awful and gamey. My favourite meat though is bison. Similar to beef but far lower in fat with a stronger flavour without being gamey.

 

Damn, now I'm getting hungry. Craving a bison prime rib.

[AndyB]

Well. you can occasionally by Roo steak in Lidl...

 

Guaranteed to put a spring in your step, no doubt! 

 

(sorry Debs, beat you to it!    )

 

In Australia, the vast majority of car sales are automatics. Any fleet operator will tell you, that the overall running costs of autos are cheaper than manuals, taking into account the cost of clutch repairs.

 

I've driven an automatic for about 10 years. SWMBO refuses to drive it "because I wouldn't know what to do". Somewhat ironic given her lack of use of 4th and 5th gear in her own car.

I'd certainly agree with you and Ian that it would be more economic given the petrol consumption involved in thrashing her own manual car. 

[The Stationmaster]

Well son has finally gone and done it - he's in Germany having gone over for carnival weekend 'somewhere near Cologne'.  Yesterday we had a somewhat considerably inebriated 'phonecall from him which included reference to drinking beer while dressed as a red indian native American but today his picture has appeared in a local (I hope) newspaper still in fancy dress and apparently holding a cactus (or it could be a spiky cucumber?) in each hand.

 

The only problem is that being a German local (I hope) newspaper they've actually got his name right ...

[Shedman5]

 

On the subject of cars it's always seemed odd to me that cars over here (USA temp resident in the sun) only have a rear number plate, not sure of the reason if any for that.

Then to my amusement I've noticed that quite a few people have their names on the plate ie

 

Mike & Dawn Williams. ..Virginia

Amusing to me anyway, North Norfolk Coast mentioned earlier, yep a nice part of the Uk, down there in May walking the coastal paths again.

 

Enjoy the rest of the day

[Robert]

The only problem is that being a German local (I hope) newspaper they've actually got his name right ...

 

If it is any consolation, there aren't all that many German National Newspapers!

[trisonic]

On the subject of cars it's always seemed odd to me that cars over here (USA temp resident in the sun) only have a rear number plate, not sure of the reason if any for that.

Then to my amusement I've noticed that quite a few people have their names on the plate ie

 

Mike & Dawn Williams. ..Virginia

Amusing to me anyway, North Norfolk Coast mentioned earlier, yep a nice part of the Uk, down there in May walking the coastal paths again.

 

Enjoy the rest of the day

We have two - as do most in the North East. A lot of the South doesn't but I dunno why.

 

Well, we got some snow, enough for the camera's to be out in London - about an 1/8 of an inch.............terribly cold though and windy with it. Today North America is the coldest place on the planet. Hope you got the welding gear out, Ian.

 

Best, Pete.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning-ish.

 

At work but wishing I hadn't bothered.

 

Ah, Mrs H has the same issue with gears, but only in my (diesel) car - she has no problems with the 'van. Odd.  She can cope with any bike box you want (sequential on bikes) but is NEVER in the right gear in my car. Never.

 

Had the journey to work from hell this morning, it was very icy, the coldest morning of the winter, and on a long stretch of road with no turnings a van managed to trip up and block the road - upside down of course.  Cue a lot of cars trying to turn around, but not being allowed to do so by cars behind stopping to close, folk trying to squeeze past - yes, single carriageway - morons - took about 20 minutes to escape that one.  Then went to use an alternative route which was blocked by cars not being able to get up through an icy patch, and a lady coming down in a Porsche 4x4, or rather not as she was too frightened to drive on to the ice.  Diff locks? What are they then.  The vehicle probably has every traction and braking aid known to mankind.  Blocked road again.  Two hours to do a 35 minute journey after driving almost all the way home to access a third route!

[Oldddudders]

If it is any consolation, there aren't all that many German National Newspapers!

I think national newspapers are a bit of a British thing, but the rest of the world thinks more locally, it seems. And of course there are still a number of British local dailies. How the Internet and daytime tv have affected sales of them I don't know.

[AndrewC]

On the subject of cars it's always seemed odd to me that cars over here (USA temp resident in the sun) only have a rear number plate, not sure of the reason if any for that.

Then to my amusement I've noticed that quite a few people have their names on the plate ie

 

Each state and province is different as far as plate regulations are concerned. Front plates started disappearing in the 90s with various excuses such as improving air flow for engine cooling and aircon, and plate cost. Some states allow "decorative" plates on the front but others don't.

[edcayton]

 

 

 

Had the journey to work from hell this morning, it was very icy, the coldest morning of the winter, and on a long stretch of road with no turnings a van managed to trip up and block the road - upside down of course.  

 

Do you have funny gravity on Fraggle Rock Neil? There always seem to be upside down cars. Maybe it's to do with the Manx cats, cats know a thing or two about gravity.

 

My BiL heard a noise one night and looked out to see that his Fiat Seicento had been inverted by the locals. He has sensibly replaced the car-with a Daihatsu Domino!

 

Ed

[Happy Hippo]

One could be cynical and say that the only reason we have front plates are on UK cars, is for the express purpose of catching errant motorists, with ANPR,  head on speed cameras and average speed camera clusters at road works.

 

Something the motorcycle fraternity around these parts use to their 'advantage'.

 

On a partially related subject, I read in one of the daily papers some time ago, that the VED licence that one has to display on a vehicle, is likely to be phased out as the aforementioned ANPR with the various links to DVLA,VOSA and Insurance data bases can tell the operator whenther the vehicle is legal or not.  by the time you've been pulled over for the roadside check, the police already know what answers they should be getting.

[The Stationmaster]

One could be cynical and say that the only reason we have front plates are on UK cars, is for the express purpose of catching errant motorists, with ANPR,  head on speed cameras and average speed camera clusters at road works.

 

Something the motorcycle fraternity around these parts use to their 'advantage'.

 

On a partially related subject, I read in one of the daily papers some time ago, that the VED licence that one has to display on a vehicle, is likely to be phased out as the aforementioned ANPR with the various links to DVLA,VOSA and Insurance data bases can tell the operator whenther the vehicle is legal or not.  by the time you've been pulled over for the roadside check, the police already know what answers they should be getting.

And of course it's all there if you renew the VED online - saves finding the Insurance docs and MoT certificate you need when heading to a Post Office to renew.

[Ian Abel]

...Ian, the ice cream cake was a bit of a joke considering your temps at the moment. Glad you had a good day though....

Andrew,

  Actually I'd figure that was probably the case, but it also turns out I LIKE DQ Ice Cream cake, and also eat ice cream (more than I'm told I should!!) even this time of year, so mostly, I figured clarification was needed - thanks anyway

[AndrewC]

Andrew,

  Actually I'd figure that was probably the case, but it also turns out I LIKE DQ Ice Cream cake, and also eat ice cream (more than I'm told I should!!) even this time of year, so mostly, I figured clarification was needed - thanks anyway

I think there are very few people that don't like DQ. I'm craving a skor bar blizzard at the moment.

[AndyB]

Andrew,

  Actually I'd figure that was probably the case, but it also turns out I LIKE DQ Ice Cream cake, and also eat ice cream (more than I'm told I should!!) even this time of year, so mostly, I figured clarification was needed - thanks anyway

I'd never heard of ice cream cake until enlightened here. My daughter has a number of allergies which has ruled out most forms of cake for her. But it does seem to me that with a bit of invention an ice-cream-based cake might be just the ticket.  

[AndrewC]

I'd never heard of ice cream cake until enlightened here. My daughter has a number of allergies which has ruled out most forms of cake for her. But it does seem to me that with a bit of invention an ice-cream-based cake might be just the ticket.  

Andy, have you heard of this company? https://eggfreecake.co.uk/about-us/ we've got one just up the road and for people with allergies and dietary conditions they are excellent.

[Debs.]

Beautiful sunny day here at Collie Towers..........Spring seems to have sprung!

 

Seen whilst on our beach-walkies this morning: The Grimaldi LInes "Grande Italia" car carrier, arriving at Liverpool`s Royal Seaforth dock, I think she`s come to export a cargo of new Range Rovers.

 

 

 

The Grande Italia`s shipping line name always amuses me, for I mostly associate the name 'Grimaldi' with the clown-troupe: esp. the ones with the brightly coloured car with eccentric wheels and the doors that dropped-off when slammed!

I wonder does the Port Pilot get met at the top of the ladder with a custard pie in the face when boarding at the Liverpool Bar?..........Perhaps the crew also sport red-noses and comedically-oversized red shoes!

 

[New Haven Neil]

It is Italian, Debs.....so things will drop off anyway, especially if electrically operated.  See '1970's Ducati'.  Ugly though, those car carriers.

 

I think ANPR works on rear plates as well, also in average speed zones - the cameras face both ways. 

 

We used to get pulled up as not being registered from following police vehicles in the UK, when dozy traffic plod my colleagues in roads policing across hadn't noticed the GBM sticker or plate.  Our numbers are available to the system now, they didn't used to have access to our version of DVLA until recently.

[Tony_S]

 The Grimaldi LInes "Grande Italia" car carrier, arriving at Liverpool`s Royal Seaforth dock, I think she`s come to export a cargo of new Range Rovers.

  

I noticed (from Facebook) that one of Aditi's cousins (she has lots!) was trying out an Audi on the Indian Formula 1 track yesterday. I shall wind him up by suggesting a Range Rover as that will help both the British (made here) and Indian (they own Jaguar-Land Rover) economies.

 

Tony