Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

7 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

Well that one flew like a lead balloon

 

It was one of my mum's favorites.  The derogatory epithet "little stiff" is a bit old fashioned. A more modern equivalent might be "wee pillock". (Hope nobody's from Rugby.)

I found it funny as my late father in law used similar, his phrase being 'I'm a little stiff from Badminton'.

 

We still use it around the Hippodrome.

 

I'm a little stiff from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch doesn't quite have the same spontaneity

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Rick, very sorry to hear about your friend.

Sunshine and blue sky here although it's still a bit fresh outside. Should be a nice day.

Still hobbling about but have dispensed with the walking stick as indoors I'm more likely to have a further mishap with it. 

Rugby watched but not quite as good a match as I'd hoped as both sides rested most of their 1st choice players in readiness for the big games ahead. Sarries won comfortably after a very slow start.

Today Nicki, Joe and Gemma are visiting for Sunday lunch with roast chicken on the menu for most of us and a veggie dish for Gem. 

My usual Sunday breakfast has been offered so I will bid  you farewell for now.

Have a good one,

H. Cassidy

Edited May 5, 2019 by grandadbob

[Happy Hippo]

9 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

 

Part 2 is tomorrow with a visit to an indoor kart track with 33 on the grid in various races.

I know it will be competitive and I have a prediction of the winner coming from a choice of 4.

 

 

Since we are both ex ADI's , might I suggest forgetting MSM, not undertaking and definitely not sticking to the speed limit if you want to be in with a chance.

[Dave Hunt]

Having a late and lazy start to Sunday - still in bed with muggercoffee and the iPad. Decadent

or what? ( the predictive text thingy tried changing that to decade Ent).

 

Sincere condolences to Rick on the loss of his pal.

 

Later on must get ready for tomorrow as SWMBO is taking me away for four days to an as yet undisclosed destination for a delayed birthday present, the grandchildren having been infesting visiting on the actual day. The downside came yesterday when she announced that my car could do with cleaning before using it tomorrow - I took the hint of course.

 

When we get back on Friday I have one night at home before going to Derby for the weekend of 11th/12th to help out with the small exhibition that the Midland Railway Society are putting on at the Midland Hotel next to Derby station starting on the 10th to mark the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the MR. Unfortunately it won't include models but if any ERs happen to be passing it would be great to meet and put faces to names.

 

Dave

Edited May 5, 2019 by Dave Hunt
Adding some information

[81C]

Morning All

Condolences to Rick I do hope sometime soon you have a run of good luck.

All this talk about us lot playing rugby do they allow bath chairs, Zimmer frames and wheel chairs on the pitch. 

Having fell asleep yesterday afternoon I've noticed there are 2 Halls, I Castle and a small Prairie on the bench with

new brass name & number plates so I must have be conscious at some stage,  I suppose I can finish the pile of 

new brass plates off today on my Christmas toys on the todo shelf.

Baz I know they are disgusting but have you tried Fisherman's Friend lozenge's they work for me.

Her has decreed the hand carry bags for the holiday are ready to go by tonight the insulated beer mugs arrived here

yesterday so they can be packed and I'm getting that horrible feeling of dread about sitting in a tin tube for 9-11 hrs

I sure a few glasses of that drink called Dutch Courage (malt of course) will come in handy before I board.

 

                                                                                                             Must get on so much todo today enjoy yoursSumma Holladay

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Condolences Rick on the loss of your friend. I wasn't very sporty even when I was at school, the only sport I was any good at was cricket and even then I had difficulty in catching the ball (this turned out to be because of an eyesight defect that wasn't identified until 40 years later).  Not much else to report, be back later.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Just got out of bed, having first had breakfast there. Currently sat at the kitchen table with muggertea No2, when that’s finished I’ll head down to the workshop and potter about doing not a lot and thoroughly enjoying myself. 

 

Back later. 

[lightengine]

10 hours ago, pH said:

 

I did wonder if the original post was worthy of an EA.

Lets give it one anyway.

[lightengine]

Sunny today in sunny Teignmouth, however, clouds rolling in from time to time.

 

Some great vids on FB of the Big Boy rolling again in the US of A. 

[BoD]

Condolences on the loss of your friend, Rick.

I'm sorry to hear that your good lady continues to have good and bad days.  I feel for her.

 

Look after yourself too, it's easy for these things to get on top of you without you realising.

[Kingzance]

Commiserations to Rick who seems to be getting the worst of things right now and to other in trying circumstances. If I could share some of the care and love being heaped upon me, I would happily do so.

 

The endless celebration of my recent milestone birthday seemingly continues unabated (although my stamina is being sorely tried). Yesterday a second bash was attended at daughter's mansion where various friends and acquaintances plus offsprungs were waiting / subsequently arrived. Much falling down water was consumed by many. It appears that on Wednesday we depart to Gatport Airwick at the crack of sparrowfart to head to Hamburg and Miniatur-Wunderland. The last time I was in Hamburg was in the mid 70's, I was single and the Reeperbahn was in full swing. I wouldn't dare take SWMBO there today! This has all been quite a significant event and I am sure those responsible have enjoyed its organisation. Of course I am extremely grateful that they have done this for me but I would just as happily have settled for a small (although far less memorable) celebration held locally. I shall disappear now as I believe a further family luncheon is planned, I do fear for the fit of the finest Kingzance shirts and strides after all this.

Signed

Wun ungreatfull b'stard.

[The Stationmaster]

Afternoon all,

 

Sorry to hear about your friend Rick and I increasingly get the impression that age, or rather lack of, is no longer a determinant in when we shuffle off this mortal coil.  Hoping things can improve for your swmbo when the NHS take a serious look at things.

 

Today herself has been taken to two garden centres (yes, Root One was included but a non-dining visit) in search of plants and a couple of hanging basket liners.  At our second port of call two of the latter cost less than the only one left, and hence not purchased, at our first destination.  This outing had perforce to involve driving on roads populated by a few examples of the lesser spotted bank holiday motoringcockwomble' (only a couple fortunately) and far too numerous examples of the 'I enjoy being in everybody else's way on bank holidays cyclingcockwombles'  including a pair riding abreast on a main road.   Tomorrow we might visit the town's Mayfayre but that will be on foot and possibly even in company of our new councillor.

 

Said councillor has stated that he wishes to avoid charge of nepotism so therefore won't be doing anything about the collapsed pavement outside our front gate or the weeds in the gutter on our side of the road.

 

Have a good day everybody.

[Happy Hippo]

59 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

The last time I was in Hamburg was in the mid 70's, I was single and the Reeperbahn was in full swing. I wouldn't dare take SWMBO there today!

I was going to write:

 

Why wouldn't she recognize it now?'

 

But thought better of it!

 

I'm currently shifting stuff around in the garage to 'maximize the storage cube'.

 

Those who follow my rambling will know that some years back, the PH dismantled a VW Golf Mk IV.  The last bit still in the garage is the engine, which has sat in a most inconvenient place that stopped me using the side access door.  (We never use it, but it is the principle of being able to use it should I want to.)  Having created a very nice storage pocket in the opposite corner of the garage, I pushed the engine (it was on a home made trolley) across the garage and started the fine maneuvering to slot it into the space.

 

All was going well until one of the castors and the corner of the trolley gave way and deposited the engine in an untidy heap on the floor!

 

I've got the blasted thing upright, but without a block and tackle (now at the PH's new abode) there is no way I am going to be able to lift it.

 

So I must now complete my re-org whilst  having to avoid this lump of scrap which will be a tad inconvenient to say the least.

 

I'm not rebuilding the trolley!

 

 

[tigerburnie]

Condolences Rick on the loss of your pal.

[tigerburnie]

I've been out playing with trains...……………………...

Smokin' by tigerburnie, on Flickr

 

 

FULL SIZED ONES.

Turns out my pal who I was with is a mate of the owner, they are both farmers, trying to get a shot in it at some point lol.

Edited May 5, 2019 by tigerburnie

[Barry O]

Fishermen's friends..I like them but just check the sugar content.....

 

HH, as a young, reckless 14 year old I made my debut for the village 3rd XV. We won! My payment was a pint of Carling Black label with lime...and, everytime I played I received the same payment. I scored a try and got two pints...and wobbled off home!

 

Umpiring was freezing! My colleague was not good. Games was good and a close one.

Now off to gargle with TCP.

Baz

 

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl, 

By the time many of you were up,  I had laid 12 2ft square by 2inch thick slabs. Dug a two foot deep hole, placed a 4*4pole in it and attached the top of the pole to the side of the shed. The ramp area was started,  to be completed.   The above was completed by  11:15. SWBMO took over painting the floor this time with "wild honeysuckle" added to the canary yellow to make enough to cover the floor. It's still a fairly bright yellow floor,  this will however be covered by garden machinery.. 

 

After that it was off down to the sailing club, sadly the instructor was an hour and a half late. Then an hours instruction out in the cold. 

The pin adaptor that fits a conventional tow ball . 

The use of the crane itself, 

Instructions for signing out the equipment. 

The rules of who what when why.. 

 

Sadly after a trial sailing boat went out  it was decided that no sailing for visitors could be carried  out at the open day yesterday.  Just too much wind,  Trips out on the rescue boats around  our sailing course and up to the broad were available for those  who wanted them. 

 

Tomorrow I'll concrete the pole in,  also there I shall build the base of a seat by the garage out of breeze blocks. The first of the stuff to be moved into the shed will go in,  so I can get easier access to the new workbench in the garage. 

 

But first... Eyelid inspection... 

 

 

 

 

[AndyID]

4 hours ago, lightengine said:

 

Some great vids on FB of the Big Boy rolling again in the US of A. 

 

Hope it does not konk-out for some reason. I plan to intercept it on its return trip in Wyoming. Might also manage a rendezvous with a certain World traveller known to provide bulletins in these pages.

[New Haven Neil]

Well I have been thinking about it for long enough.

 

That Beeching chap's been along.....

...and then a 'quake...

...and then it was gone.

Edited May 5, 2019 by New Haven Neil

[The Stationmaster]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

Well I have been thinking about it for long enough.

 

That Beeching chap's been along.....

 

...and then a 'quake...

 

...and then it was gone.

 

If you carry on with pics like those you'll be getting an awl to help the demolition process should a certain lady see what's going on

[New Haven Neil]

34 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

If you carry on with pics like those you'll be getting an awl to help the demolition process should a certain lady see what's going on

 

Nah,  there's no railway...or modelling.....just detritus!

[roundhouse]

That must have been a much bigger quake than the one in Crawley the other night as GTR are still running

[New Haven Neil]

19 minutes ago, roundhouse said:

That must have been a much bigger quake than the one in Crawley the other night as GTR are still running

 

Huge.  See the tower blocks went and everything...…

 

Edited May 5, 2019 by New Haven Neil

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.

 

Thank you for your thoughts - there has been no further news from Australia. 

 

Today was closer to a stay-home-and-be-on-hand day than the more typical Sunday stroll and some time out.  But I did get an hour outside with the shiraz while SWMBO slept in the later afternoon and the leg of lamb was cooking.  

 

I got some time outside earlier as well.  The need arises for a panel into which to fit various switches and thus a need arose to cut wood and fix the cut pieces together.  It isn't easy doing either when your workbench is your knees and frustration definitely set in at being unable to cut a straight line (which I can do perfectly well given a bench and vice) though in the longer term it may make no difference; the wonky cuts are going to be hidden anyway and as the layout is in the bedroom few enough people will ever be likely to see it in the flesh.  If it ever actually runs, that is, and therein lie other frustrations.  I have also learned that soldering is neither easy nor terribly safe with poor lighting and nothing to grip or support the work other than the hand.  And with one hand holding the iron and the other the solder and a length of wire which hand is to hold the piece to be worked on, exactly?

 

Progress is being made in lurches.  The initials of my employer might sum it up; SWR = "Something Will Run"  

 

Last night wasn't the best for sleep.  Nature woke me twice, the cat a couple more times and what I suspect might have been some socially popular activity from Neighbours (Upstairs) at around 4am.  Nothing much was heard but I was woken by something and being awake was then aware of more than one pair of feet padding across the floor above my head.  Someone left at around 5.30 (on a Sunday morning?!) too.  Ah the joys of yoof.  I'm sure my attempts at winning the snoring olympics disturb them at times.

 

SWMBO has arranged with her friends with whom we spent last evening to be collected at 9am tomorrow and taken to Richmond Park to see some interesting tree or another.  They are all employed by Kew Gardens and must find trees as interesting as I find other things.  I have excused myself.  There is more than enough to do here if I am to present my weathering demonstration in a couple of weeks' time.  I am not disinterested by trees and nature but neither am I motivated to make a special trip.

 

Just to keep things ticking over I shall be compiling a book over the coming months concerning the distinctive alpha-numeric headcodes used by SR trains.  "Until recently" I heard someone say.  In fact they are still in use as SWR regulars may be aware.  The class 455 units have always displayed them on the destination roller blinds and more recently some of the main line class 450 units have had them programmed into their dot-matrix displays.  A feature which refuses to die, it seems.  Publication is scheduled for a year hence.

 

And on that note I wish you all a good night.

 

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Rather nippy this evening so time for a muggatee.