Early Risers.

[roundhouse]

4 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good morning from Philleas Fogg, currently in a motel in a sunny Cheyenne. Small breakfast has been consumed  first big bag in the car a d now chilling.  Off across the car park at lunchtime for a 'proper' breakfast, steak and eggs with pancakes or something similar. Then it's off down the interstate to Denver to drop the car off and then to entrust ourselves to the tendsr mercies of British Airways.  All being well we should get home a out 10.30pm Thursday.

 

Great news about Sandy and Neil (BR) glad that you got sorted out. We will be heading across the channel next Tuesday night, all being well.

 

Chrisf, get rid of him on FB.

 

As to the sub group of shed builders, I could offer extortionate rates for accommodation in the super shed so that the things can be erected in the dry. You would then have to ship them back over the briny.

 

 

Jamie

 

Jamie

 Have a good trip back. Really envious of your 4014 sightings. One day... but doubt it will be back in Ogden / Salt Lake City when we are there in the Summer.

 

As for shed building, its now weatherproof if it does rain although it still requires the roof sheeting to finish it off properly. That should be deleivered in the next few days.

 

Been busy fitting the second layer of insulation ot the soffit of the roof. Just a few wall panels left to insulate then I can start linig the internal walls although that will likely be next week.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

IT Hell at work.  Nothing too unusual in that, it happens.  IT Manager has had a busy day!

 

I too used to get that 'odd' feeling, Tony, but on ships both larger and smaller than cruise ships but definitely with no stabilisers.  It wears off after a couple of days then never bothered me again for the rest of the trip (4 months as a rule) until I had been ashore on leave, and joined my next ship.

 

The worst I have ever felt was on the bloomin ferry here, a few winters ago. She's almost 10,000 tons but not the best sea boat in the business. 

 

Found this photo recently of my first ship.  Stirling Bridge, 120.000 dwt tons.

 

[Coombe Barton]

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/sandys-treatment-day-155/

[Barry O]

Game...umpired. No problems unlike a game at the weekend:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-48339346

 

Thanks to the Great Lady of the Awl for the link!

 

Baz

[tigerburnie]

Busy old day on Grandad duties in Perth, the town is a mass of road works just now, barely a road that is fully open it seems, diversions everywhere, we lived there briefly when first migrating north, nice city, but a fair few shops gone and no takers, just no money about plus internet killing off the businesses I guess. Some threatening looking clouds and a bit foggy outside, I will see what the morning brings before deciding on what to do, but the grass is almost visible in it's growing, so that will need attacking at some point.

G'night all

[bbishop]

Evening awl,

 

I may be alone in this, but I don't think we should be offering lifestyle advise to Chris.  He is in a complex emotional situation, which may be affecting his mental and physical well being.  We should "listen" to him and give him all our support.  

 

Bill

[Ozexpatriate]

15 minutes ago, bbishop said:

I don't think we should be offering lifestyle advise to Chris.  He is in a complex emotional situation, which may be affecting his mental and physical well being.  We should "listen" to him and give him all our support.

Bill, I do agree with you, but I hope Chris understands that any and all advice proffered from the ER community was done so in a spirit of being supportive. That said, it may not be 'right' for Chris. We are not in his shoes.

[Barry O]

Goodnight all!

Baz

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. 

4 hours ago, Tony_S said:

A couple of years ago we were in Wengen in Switzerland. The hotel had a notice (only in English) that stated that there was no air conditioning and as a typical Alpine hotel they suggested opening the window.

Intended for American tourists rather than British methinks.

[The Stationmaster]

28 minutes ago, bbishop said:

Evening awl,

 

I may be alone in this, but I don't think we should be offering lifestyle advise to Chris.  He is in a complex emotional situation, which may be affecting his mental and physical well being.  We should "listen" to him and give him all our support.  

 

Bill

Agree absolutely Bill - and I'll say no more on the subject.

 

Now to cruise ships and such like.  My views are I think well known but here we go again.  We dod the Hurtigruten a few yeas ago and apart from having to partake iof an airborne cigar tube to get to/from Norway we enjoyed it immensely but even more so on the southbound trip after a good 40% of our fellow passengers had got off at Kirkenes to return south by airborne cigar tube.  With getting on for 300 passengers going northbound it was bit mucj numbers wise to be truly comfortable but it was 100% relaxed dress which was great.

 

Our most recent trip on our own annual preference for getting to sea is currently featuring in the two threads linked below (I know a number of ERs have already visited and I'll try to update Part 2 tomorrow or on Friday) but the big attractions are small numbers of passengers (which can sometimes have its downsides of course), plenty of interest to see (although I'm not sure if a Saturday anchored off Clacton is the ideal way to see the coast when riding out 'storm' Hannah), plus work going on complete with occasional alarums and emergencies.  And for us a big part of the attraction is not really having much idea where the ship will take us, or often even of where we will disembark at the end of our voyage - as the links will explain.  Definitely not to everybody's taste and we are talking about a small ship  (c.86metres long x 13.8 metres beam and c.2,600grt)  which is 37 years old and while having fully up-to-date navigational kit definitely doesn't boast such refinements as stabilisers (although she has a very pleasant, smooth, rolling action in heavier seas).  Oh and passengers also get immersion suits as well as life jackets should the worst happen   And yes there is entertainment - some fiendish jigsaws (and a really nice table to do them on). 

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/144346-back-on-the-briny-yet-again-april-2019-part-1/

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/144504-back-on-the-briny-yet-again-april-2019-part-2/

 

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Well the weather changed and the sun managed to show itself and we didn’t have any rain. My trip to the big orange DIY shed was fruitful and I came back with everything I had on my list and as I mentioned this morning, I also called to pick up the pies from the butchers on my way home. Once home I unpacked the car and put everything in the cellar and then made myself a muggertea. Once that had been drunk I went back downstairs and filled in the gaps around the enlarged hole, adding a few bricks and generally tiding up the hole, ready for a new bigger door frame. 

 

Both this and the main doorway were originally built flush with the brickwork, but as the walls will soon be plastered, I need to pack them out a little. So I bought some wood that is a couple of mm thicker than the plasterboard, so that when it is plastered it can plastered flush and the join will be hidden by some architraving. 

 

After dinner the cakes were decorated and I then read the latest BRM, which fell on the doormat yesterday, Mick a very interesting article.

 

As I mentioned this morning, we had Ava, Evie and Max round for tea. All was going well, until the film they were all watching ended. Ava has learning difficulties and also anger management issues, Max knows all about this, but still he got up to his usual tricks and started to wind her up. However, it backfired on him this week, as she finally saw red and gave him a swift kick in the family jewels, just before their dad came to pick them all up. Of course, Max tried to drop Ava in it by saying that she’d kicked him. But that little trick also backfired, as he got into far more trouble than she did when we explained to Ian why she’d kicked him in the first place. Boy oh boy, the fun just never stops!

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[Dave Hunt]

Well, it's back to square one with finding some sheltered accommodation for Dad. I went to have a chat with the manager of the place he was looking to move into and discovered that the service charge has gone up 33% but on further questioning she admitted that her budget for the site had only gone up by less than 5%, which tinkled a few alarm bells. Accordingly I looked up the management company on line and found that they have a reputation for fair and decent practice something akin to the people who ran the soviet gulags. They have also rebranded themselves several times in recent years and featured in Rip Off Britain. At that stage I informed Dad of what I had found out and he promptly asked me to withdraw his offer. Since there doesn't seem to be anywhere else close enough, that effectively means end of current ideas about moving. I'm now looking into getting him a personal alarm and arranging for regular cleaners, gardener etc. for him so that SWMBO and I don't have to do it all. He's still giving up driving but since he was paying over £1,100 p.a. insurance (before the accident) and would have been looking at several K estate agent's and solicitor's fees, that's a good few taxi fares and at 96 he doesn't go out clubbing much anyway.

 

Apart from doing the market shopping and dealing with other ANNAT (administrative niff naff and trivia) that's been my day - yuk! It has been partially rescued by SWMBO making the dinner and producing a rather excellent Moroccan lamb tagine and couscous and as I write this I'm just finishing a drop of Scottish water of life, so goodnight all, commiserations to all who are suffering or unhappy and here's to a new day - cheers!

 

Dave

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[PhilJ W]

Dave, have another look at Hanover Trust, they and quite a few others do care packages 'at home'. And with that goodnight all.

[BR60103]

Chris:

We had quinoa in a bookstore snack bar in Jersey City a few years ago. It wasn't bad and we still get some if we see it. It's much better than kale. (pronounced keen-wah unless you want to wind up the help.)

 

We contracted for an air conditioner replacement today. When the temp approached 30 on the weekend, I wondered why the house wasn't cooling. The circuit breakers for the a/c were off. When I flipped them on, they immediately snapped off. SWMBO has been worried about the noise of the outside unit disturbing the neighbours so we ordered a new one that we're assured is much quieter. They may have to get into the ceiling of the railway room for some of the piping, but very little of it is over the railway.

 

 

 

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

It looks as if it may get quite warm later on.  However, at the moment it is mild, with a light mist.

 

There isn't a lot else to report, so I guess it is time for a coffee!

 

Have a good day everyone...

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

I enjoyed Cambridge beer festival yesterday but I’m ashamed to say that my appetite for ale was not all it might have been.  Not only that, but the otherwise superb record shop had nothing by Russ Conway – not that I could see, anyway.  This did not stop me spending £33 there.  This morning I will vote, for someone, and tonight I will be at the Ninebarrow concert in Bedford.

 

Now to matters arising.  Lightengine, by way of reply to your points, here is the transcript of the Messenger conversation with Harry on Tuesday evening:

 

H: Hey. How are you seeing my posts from 2011?

C: Via my mobile. Unlike the laptop it tells me what time the posts were made

H: Yes. But you’re having to go to a great deal to find them. You don’t stumble across my posts from 8 years

C: I knew my curiosity would get me into trouble

H: Please stop. We’ve had this discussion before

C: I note your displeasure. How did you know?

H: It lets me know. Please stop looking through my profile. I will just delete it going forward

C: If you must

H: Okay. We can still message here

C: Thank you. I am sorry for causing you distress

H: It’s fine. But I had asked you before

 

There was no fishing involved since he was exactly right about what I was looking at.  He must also have unfriended me since I could not find his name in my friends list to unfriend him.  I need to remind myself of his reasons for not wanting me looking at his profile.

 

The matter of getting rid is not straightforward and I refer to the relationship as problematic for a reason.  My current thought, for all the good it is, is that I should have told him to go forth and multiply a year ago when he and the BF took it upon themselves to decide that we could no longer meet.  It would have avoided much grief but the seminal sequence which began with a visit to Bristol Pride and ended with my decision to come out would not have happened.  If and when it does all end it will hurt me much more than it hurts him and the possibility of me making a complete mess of things is strong.  Be assured, dear friends, that I do draw some comfort from your supportive thoughts.  ERs is so good at this sort of thing. What I have decided to do is try to reconnect with Sarah, the counsellor who helped me so much a few months ago.  That may be easier said than done too.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

The sun is shining (just) and some blue sky is appearing.

My parcel from Amazon arrived in time for us to go shopping so at least I have sufficient beer and wine for a few more days.  The parcel contained a new tool storage rack for the shed so that may well be fitted today.

Bin lorries x 3 are due starting in about half an hour.

Two windows left to do. Today will see the replacement of the biggest one, the bay window at the front of our lounge.  Once that's done I can get the measuring device out again and double check the figures so "we" can order new curtains. I believe the kitchen window and finishing touches will be left until tomorrow. 

More tea needed,

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by grandadbob

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

A very bad nights sleep of 2.5 hours an hour an a half awake, then several hours of intermittant dozing on the sofa.

 

Amazon did it's stuff for me too and the new tow ball and pin for the landrover arrived, It's got two nuts on the bottom a locking spring a pin and ring.  The nuts are way above the maximum size of any spanner I've got, I had to use a vice to get them off then put the ball on the landrover and tighten the nuts by hand. They won't fall off because of the pin and ring, so that will do for the short trip to the open day on Sunday. However I need to measure up and order two big spanners to tighten them up for long journeys.

 

There was just the mearest hint of frost out on the jungle at it's most exposed place, but otherwise it's a nice bright sunny morning with just the odd distant cloud.

 

 The mention of not liking a formal dinner is the opposite to me I quite like them, full opportunity to get the full argyle jacket and kilt out...  That's fully acceptable to all, but the equivalent of what the yanks call White tie. Then I'd need something like a sherriffMuir Jacket , plaid, jabot and buckled Shoes (think Sean Connery in James Bond.) the chances of me being invited to such an event are.... NIL.. which is good because that would be expensive.

 

Well I've remembered to bring in the open day for the MRC show leaflets, I shall deposit them on the tea Bar tables later..

 

I've a bunch of resistor boxes to do today, not actually due till the end of next week, but I could be very busy next week, with the planned majors system, this weeks delayed major system, and I've just been contacted via the in company online messenger system about doing a temperature unit from somewhere there are voting about getting rid of, it's urgent, they don;'t want to lose it for too long..

 

Time to..First... Check the company spam...

 

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by TheQ

[Barry O]

Good morning to most.(other times of day are also relevant to others)

A bit cloudy here in the North West Leeds Highlands. 

I need to drop her indoors off at the local Hospice "warehouse" this morning as she has a few items to donate before her volunteering stint.

I am expecting a client with a box full of items for repair/weathering so that should fill this afternoon up nicely.

 

I need to book an appointment with my dentist (dislodged a filling yesterday) and my eye specialist as I had a minor problem while umpiring yesterday. 

 

Positive thoughts to any one who ails, especially Sandy, Debs and Trisonic Pete.

 

Stay calm, enjoy your day

Baz

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s another dull start to the day, but if today goes like yesterday, it should brighten up. Breakfast has now been consumed and Sheila is in the kitchen getting her stuff ready for her Zumba class. Once she’s gone, I’ll make a start on applying the first coat of waterproofing solution to the cellar walls. Whilst it’s drying I’ll then start packing out the main door frame, followed by making a new, enlarged frame for the now bigger access door. 

 

Back later

[bbishop]

Morning awl,

 

Apologies for any pomposity last night.

 

Just done my bit for democracy.  Quite a long ballot paper of nine "parties" and twelve independents.  I voted d'Hondt..

 

Phoned by a John Lewis bot, my delivery will be between 14:33 and 16:33 - love the precision.  So a day of the g word and the m word.  Keep well awl,  Bill

 

 

[tigerburnie]

Morning all, dull and dreary here(and it's not much better outside lol),SWMBO has the lurgy, made worse by the immune system suppressants she takes, so a quiet day is forecast, I have some final running of trains on the old Great Central prior to it's dismantling to do, which should start soon. Have a nice day, weekends almost here...…………..

[Kingzance]

Good mid-morning one and all.

No1 Grandson’s foot was in pain so he came off at half time during football match for which I was taxi driver when the score was 0-0. The whistle for full time blew with his team on the end of a 7-0 thrashing. 

No2 Grandson had a cricket match, first they have won this season AND he bowled one batter and caught another. Last week he ran out someone with a direct hit from backward point(ish) so the game is giving him some satisfaction.

One motor delivered to garage ready for their opening for its MoT, awaiting call to take the second one over so brakes can be sorted. RaiEx still looking good . Rest of day will be consumed making packing case to send SWMBO’s favourite iron back to a service centre as it has been having tantrums recently, spitting when it should have been gently steaming - doesn’t that happen to us all as we age? I shall exercise my democratic right at some point and await the outcome of potentially half a billion others’ intentions on Monday. Nice to think that there are more stars in the universe than the number of EU voters, kinda puts things into perspective and helps keep my blood pressure down!

Re various cruising trips, NHN trumps most of yours with his VLOC Stirling Bridge but I can go to 326,000 tonnes dwt with the TG Shaughnessy VLCC. I will see if I can find a picture. Kiel canal was always a favourite when I was on a 3,000 tonnes gas carrier, Brunsbuttel at one end and Baltic the other. Close to the eastern end during the ‘70’s there was a nudist camp where on passing many hirsute-bottomed ships crew members would cause the vessel to list as they all tried to get a better view. I of course never partook, being on engine-room standby most of the trip.

Have a nice day, I’ll be back later to read more classy and uplifting comments.

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by Kingzance
Won, not one!