Early Risers.

[andyram]

Afternoon fellow ER's.

 

Firstly supportive thoughts and wishes must be sent in the direction of John and Sandy. I do hope the latest hospital visit will be productive, but not too long.

 

Thank you to AndyB for the link. It certainly succeeded in raising a smile. Joe Lycett is very clever at these sorts of online gags. He is often a guest on the 8 out of 10 Cats version of Countdown and some of his stories are hilarious.

 

Today was an early start so that I could visit the local Asda for some last minute things that, due to being in my shop, I have not been able to get. Despite the early start things were manic and the queue for the local bakery suggested they were giving away free cakes - it stretched for a good 100 yards or more. You would think that the shop was going to be shut for a week!

 

The shopping trip was followed by the laying of a wreath at the local crem in honour of my grandparents. It is always a difficult and emotional task and also marks a watershed moment. As I stand and contemplate them, and how they may be looking down on me it is also time to think about how the last 12 months has gone. Hopefully things will be more positive the next time I do this task.

 

I type this from the shop. I needed to pop back to collect a few things. I have taken advantage of some quiet time to complete the final marking before Christmas. The system shuts down at 1pm until the new year so the inbox needed clearing and has now been done. Shortly I will head home to the present wrapping marathon. All that it leaves me to do is wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Whatever you are doing I do hope you get to enjoy the day.

 

Seasons Greetings.

 

Andy

Edited December 24, 2018 by andyram

[newbryford]

Very sunny here, just received yellow fog warning for the next 24 hours.

 

 

Is yellow fog related to yellow snow...…?

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. John, sorry to hear that Sandy is back in hospital, all best wishes to you both. Shops weren't too busy when I done my bit of shopping this morning but traffic was busy going towards the store when I left.

[NGT6 1315]

Is yellow fog related to yellow snow...…?

It would have to be related to internal combustion powered motive power with yellow bodywork for you, wouldn’t it?

[The Stationmaster]

Is yellow fog related to yellow snow...…?

 

Possibly as on the Met Office website it is described a s freezing fog (in places).

[Tony_S]

Is yellow fog related to yellow snow...…?

My German friends wouldn’t like yellow Mist. Probably ok with fog though.

[New Haven Neil]

Hoping they can improve matters for Sandy, John.

 

Now, for some reason it appears there have been many orders today for two packets of fishplates   - you know who you are - your names have been taken an entered into a little black book!

 

Shut now until Thursday, no post collections today anyway as IoM Post have Christmas Eve off after lunchtime.  The plane flies at 7 usually, but its all closing early, so as the whole place will be closed by then there's no point collecting mail. 

 

….aaaand relax.

[NGT6 1315]

Well, a‘noon, everyone.

 

Firstly, fingers crossed for John and Sandy... Certainly the last thing you would need on Christmas, so here’s hoping that Sandy will be allowed home again soon.

 

Me, I just bought a few extra items of food to be on the safe side for the holidays, as we had done our essential purchases earlier this week. Though to be fair, the supermarket wasn’t that busy, really.

 

Shift today starts at 1653 and I certainly hope it’ll be quieter than the one yesterday. At least it does seem to be quieting down noticeably outside, which I definitely welcome!

 

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and sending warm thoughts to anyone ailing or otherwise distressed...

[roundhouse]

All the best for Sandy.

 

Morning form a still dark Santa Barbara.

 

We managed to find our way out of San Jose. but many passengers obviously dont find it as easy as finding the way to San Jose! We had quite a few passengers asking where to board the Coast Starlight and where to get their seat allocations - you would think we worked for Amtrak!!

 

Our train made up some time last night so we were only 90 minutes late arriving. As we were at the rear of the train we decided to head straight to the Brewhouse for dinner but had ot wait for our coach was stopped on the road crossing to get there but it was a two minute walk once the train departed for LA.

 

Good job we di visit that brewpub as its not open xmas eve along with the new one, Night Lizard Brewing, where we just managed ot have a pint in as it was closing early last night and also not open today. Luckily there are a fair few that are open xmas eve but only one is open till 11pm.

 

This morning we will head to the station to photo trians then head onto the pier till Beer O'clock.

 

Enjoy your xmas eve.

 

A couple of photos from last night at Santa Barbara Station.

Edited December 24, 2018 by roundhouse

[Tony_S]

I just checked to see if we would be affected on Boxing Day by the A127 ( big road up to East London) closures over Christmas. Closures cancelled, deferred until Christmas 2019. The road over rail bridge was being replaced. Pillar removal on the railway was scheduled. Apparently the pillars are not required for the new bridge.

[newbryford]

Home time.

Party with friends tonight.

I may be gone some time...…

 

May tomorrow bring what you wish for.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[New Haven Neil]

Preparing now for our 'non-denominational holiday period eve' extreme BBQ.  Well it was 0c here this morning (Ian A laughing) and only 6c now approaching 1500hrs. It's something we do if weather allows, just to cock a snook at the world.  Outside wood burner  given a miss this time as we'll be in the waiting room mostly (except chef NHN) and there's a kerosene fired fan heater in there - toastie.  Bonkers - yup.  Next door invited, bet they find an excuse to not come.  Dave and his Mrs next door always used to come and have a great laugh, but after his first wife died he moved out for a few years.  He's back now with a new partner but she's not one for daft barbies in the cold - more the chintzy table dressings and dressing up type of woman.  Not our idea of fun....

 

It'll be a cold one later as the sky is totally clear, and just a gentle breeze that will likely drop at dusk, so maybe a frosty white non-denomination day tomorrow may be on the cards.

 

Whatever you do, or however you celebrate if you do, have a safe, great time and our thoughts go out to those missing, in distress or lonely. 

[Rugd1022]

A'noon all,

 

Not long back from the possession down at Milton Keynes where the Up and Down Fasts are festooned with engineering trains between Bletchley and Castlethorpe. Back down there tomorrow and Boxing Day too as one of the 'standby drivers' as a precaution against any possible overrun and unintended cock-ups. Needless to say my kitbag will be brimming with mince pies, teabags and a tin of 'Christmas' pea and ham soup, the turkey will have to wait until tea time!

 

Stay safe all and Happy Christmas...!

 

 

 

[TheQ]

Is yellow fog related to yellow snow...…?

I thought it, Might have something to do with the sprouts.

[TheQ]

You mean doing 10 mph at the slightest curve and max 5mph on the average bend.  If it goes steeply uphill/downhill, well...

[Stop it Suvvern! You're getting naughty in your olde age, hohoho!] 

 

 

Hope you get through the day.

You forgot driving down the middle of the road when there is no white line, even when there is room for two artics to pass.

 

Afternoon Awl,

 

Second layout carriage finished except for a third coat of paint, and a few minor bits.

 

Tess and co visited, maximum Cockwomble alert, outside and inside the store. I didn't get an ear bending on my purchases so something went right.

 

What also went right, Was The arrival of three books about rathaidean-iarainn na Gàidhealtachd, they are in perfect condition, the price of 1 is "10s net" another is 4s 6d.

 

I'm awaiting the arrival of ham, egg and chips, a luxury meal for Christmas Eve.

 

But the red has been poured...

 

Good evening Awl...

[shortliner]

You forgot driving down the middle of the road when there is no white line, even when there is room for two artics to pass.

 

 

Reminds me of the saying, heard in one of our ex-colonial overseas bases some while back -  " De Yanks drives on the right, de Brits drives on the left, and de Belizeans drives straight down de f***ing middle of de road!"

[bbishop]

Guys & gals,

 

Midnight mass tonight then off early to my sister for Christmas Day.  So may I wish you all a happy day tomorrow.

 

John, give our regards to Chris.

 

Thoughts with John and Sandy.

 

Best wishes, Bill

[Coombe Barton]

Ho hum. Back to hospital

Home. Later.

[grandadbob]

All today's tasks completed successfully and many brownie points earned. The slow cooked gammon*, sausage rolls and mince pies  have all been tested, approved and given an A1 rating. 

Have also tested some Bishop's Finger and Hobgoblin Gold. Might test some more shortly or possibly test one of the many spirits that have appeared over the past couple or three weeks.

Cheers.  

 

 

*Cooked in apple juice and golden syrup with peppercorns - absolutely delicious.  

Edited December 24, 2018 by grandadbob

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Just remembered that I have no cream to put on my Christmas pud. There is a place locally that never closes even at Christmas but I think I'll save the Christmas pud until Boxing Day. 

[Coombe Barton]

Home. Later.

 

Checked over and bloods OK. Oncologist explained that for some people what Sandy's going through is almost normal and the fact that she can swallow and keep down larger quantities is an indication that the chemo is working.

 

 

She's still very tired.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Coombe Barton

[BlackRat]

Seasons greetings one and all.

 

Well it's almost time for the fat man in red to sing, and as the sales are being advertised now, along with holidays, I guess it's now safe to.....

 

Wish all of you a safe and happy Christmas. My very best to you and yours, and if things aren't quite so bright, my thoughts and best wishes.

 

To those working stay safe, and to those that can, have a great time and joy whatever the day brings.

 

My very best to you all.

 

Neil.

[Purley Oaks]

Evening all

 

Wishing everything goes well for you both, John and Sandy.

 

My mum is safely at our house so all's well. Youngest is still out working in a cocktail bar and expecetd home so late he may even meet'n'greet Santa.

 

Hope your days tomorrow are full of Christmas cheer.

 

Mal

[Gwiwer]

Very best wishes to John and Sandy

 

A strange day.  The House of Fun was extremely quiet.  Where normally at 8am on a Monday morning the main platforms might be five-deep in waiting passengers with trains calling every three minutes today we had a train every fifteen minutes with perhaps a dozen folk on average waiting for each.  Southern colleagues were a little busier as the closure of Victoria seems to have caught a few by surprise.  There were a good many hopefuls expecting to reach Gatwick; they were required to board the all-stations-to-Caterham train and change a East Croydon.  Aside from that there was little hint of festivity.

 

Hire car duly collected from a somewhat obscure location off the Staines Road called Feltham but to my mind very much in Hounslow Heath.  We trek south in the morning through cockwomble alley a/k/a the A24.

 

The former layout is still attracting significant interest.  One of my photos has just been voted into the winning spot on a Facebook* group competition.

 

* That's me, but not my real surname.

 

I have an early Christmas gift from somewhere; the throat has been on fire since the very early hours and is now being joined by red eyes and a had full of water.  Nice timing.  I hope it wasn't from a German - beware of any German-speakers offering you a package marked "Gift"

 

All that remains is to thank each and all for their support and friendship and to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.  I'll see you for cold turkey and hangovers a bit later.

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

A merry Christmas all and goodnight.