Early Risers.

[Coombe Barton]

2 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

   Rather nice in this day and age that a publisher is kind enough to send out a complimentary copy of a £10.99 publication to folk who, certainly in my case, did little more than give some help with information for captions and in identifying locations.

Hey, don't underestimate the value of provenance. Without it pictures become nice to look at rather then historical documents.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

After this morning’s Sainsbury’s Grand Prix, I’ve done absolutely bu99er all (apart from making numerous cups of coffee for Sheila) for the rest of the day and it’s been bl00dy marvellous. 

 

Sheila’s hand is now looking a lot better, the swelling has reduced significantly, but her wrist is now turning some lovely shades of brown and purple, particularly the around the base of her thumb. She’s kept the bandaging which I applied last night, on for most of the day as she said it seemed to give her wrist some support. She’s has been able to use it more today and she’s also found eating a great deal easier than she did yesterday, in fact she was able to use a knife and fork at tea time fairly easily, whereas she had great difficulty last night and we only had a bowl of soup!

 

This evening James and Amelia came round for tea. Amelia has previously expressed an interest in open water swimming, so whilst I was there last night I enquired about it for her. The main thing was that she needed to be registered with the sports centre, that was done after tea, whilst they were still here. With a bit of luck, she’ll have her first dip in a couple of weeks time.

 

Once they’d both gone home, we sat and read for the rest of the evening, the TV was only switched on so we could catch the 10 o’clock news, then it was promptly switched off again. 

 

Goodnight all 

[BSW01]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

BTW, Debs got a cushion last year. 

 

Is it one of Sandy’s?

[Coombe Barton]

2 minutes ago, BSW01 said:

 

Is it one of Sandy’s?

Yes, but it's probably time for another

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by Coombe Barton

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BR60103]

20 hours ago, TheQ said:

Yesterday the partition men came in, the area the wall is being knocked down has a temporary partition 6ft out from the wall , steel framing and plastic. it butts end on to my room so I can see clearly into both areas. . It may seem strange using steel framing. But a couple of days ago I priced up building wooden shelving for the tin shed against steel shelving, steel shelving wins hands down on price.

 

The layout that I was operating on today was rebuilt using steel 2x4s as the wood was beginning to sag and warp. 

They were also used for cassettes in the fiddle yard -- track laid down inside. I don't have the courage to pick up and swing 8 feet of train!

 

[Natalie]

Hi all

Further to my earlier post it occurred to me that most of you are probably unaware of my history and who was I to suddenly start spouting medical advice. 

 

As they used to say "Natalie Jones this is your life" -well some of it anyway. .

 

After leaving school in 1983 I went on a YTS course in clerical work with BR hoping for it to be a means to an end- which was a railway job. The course was based in Rugby- upstairs in the platform buildings in a classroom. Never someone who was confident, outgoing or indeed especially sociable the course tutor tried to get me "out of shell". Unfortunately I just found him creepy with his thick bushy beard.

 

One thing that did get me more vocal when the local mp for Rugby came it to give us one of those so-called inspirational talks they like to give to youngsters.  With him being a tory and me being to the left of Karl Marx I told him what I thought of the current Tha@ch*r government and I wasnt exactly complimentary let's say. Seemingly that shell shocked him to be confronted so vigorously by this stumpy blue-eyed blonde hair gobby cow. It did make me a bit more popular within the group ( who were mostly male) particularly those who were politically sympathetic with me.

 

In another attempt to make me 'open up' for my first placement I was allocated to the London Midland Region Press and Public Relations Office which was on the top floor of Euston House. Part of my duties involved collection and distribution of regional press releases throughout the building in addition to going over to Rail House also at Euston to collect any press releases from the BRB concerning the LMR. This included making special trips to see the Chairman's secretary to collect there. Very occasionally I would be despatched to 222 or The Kremlin to collect and deliver items.

 

I was given the use of an all stations LMR duty travel pass which also included the Underground.  Considering I was then still 16 and had only left school about two months prior I really did feel grown up roaming around the Underground on my own and working in London- 100 miles from home. 

 

My time in the PRO was wonderful and I really enjoyed it. It did indeed get me out of my shell as whilst there there were a few incidents on the Region.

 

One was a derailment- I think at Wembley with a 310 and liner train- which involved reading out a statement to any press that happened to be on the end of my desk phone- that was something in those days (eek that sounds really old)  to have your own desk and phone at work at the age of 16. 

 

We also found ourselves in front of tv cameras to read out statements.  Those more junior got the local news.  There was no media training just get on with it.

 

Another event was being part of the team involved in the relaunching of InterCity and the refurbished Manchester Pullman stock.  This involved the infamous press run from Piccadilly when 86311 failed at Stockport whilst the press just got themselves even more p!ssed than they had been. It was a great experience though and involved an overnight stay in a hotel in Manchester the night before after travelling theer on the down evening Pullman.

 

In between the placements we were required to participate in an outward bound course which involved caving, canoeing, rock climbing,  sleeping rough and a midnight hike. I was horrified to say the least.  Being forced to spend a week in the middle of nowhere with a group of people with no means of being on my own undertaking programmed activities and all the enforced jollity that went with it did not fill me with joy. In fact it scared the crud out of me. I would rather be listening to some music (50s greats like Gene Vincent,  Johnny Horton, Jerry Lee and Elvis) and reading a book. I also could not see how this was related to railway work (I can see some merit in it now) and more importantly wouldn't get me a job on the railway.  I managed to get out of it when our group went, I can't remember how exactly but I was caught up with soon after and forced to attend with a group of strangers from god knows where. 

 

It was December 1983 and I was to proceed to Hebden Bridge and would be collected from there and taken to the centre. Scenically it was stunning and this was increased by the fact that it had just snowed! It turns out that the group I was with were actually quite pleasant and I let my guard doon and had a reasonable time- not being as bad as I feared probably helped by not being forced to do activities I wasnt keen on. I did try most of them and found that I quite enjoyed them.  I did caving which I found fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed the midnight hike- maybe helped by the fact that the new snow lit everywhere up and it wasn't that dark. The only thing I didn't do was canoeing in a freezing cold rushing river which I felt was reasonable as I couldn't swim and still can't. 

 

Next placement was also at Euston House this time with Management Services.  I have no idea of what happened in there apart from there being a certain Mr John Farrow working their- he may have been the boss- and talking with him about rail tours. At this time late 1983/ early 1984 I don't think that he had organised that many.

 

At the end of this placement a couple of jobs became available for  Junior Railman Train Recorder in Nuneaton PSB which is where I lived. I was fortunate enough to be appointed and started on Feb 27th 1984 first meeting the Inspector at Coventry by the name of Ted Breakwell.

 

After about 6 weeks as the 'box lad' I was asked if I would cover a vacancy at Tamworth parcels office so a green-carded Nuneaton card could take my train recording job. As this meant that I was doing an adult job at Leading Railman rate I was promoted.  I was now 17 so was pleased to be getting a much higher adult rate- and it meant no weekends, nights or Sundays to work unless I covered in the powerbox.

 

Tamworth parcels office was quite an experience and involved me having to undertake some platform despatch duties as well as collect and load rhe parcels onto the trains. One amusing incident whilst there was the arrival of a gold record disc for Julian Cope. When he came in to collect it- with obligatory female hanging off his arm, I asked him for ID which was standard practice.  The female with him almost collapsed with incredulity as I said I had no idea who he was. He however found it amusing and I explained that I liked rockabilly and rock'n'roll and didn't listen to the charts.  It transcribes that he had been at No 1 in the charts. This was all witnessed in the adjacent booking office where the young clerk- Clive Greatorex his name- was freaking out at the presence of this seemingly major rock star and me with no idea as to who he was.

 

Whilst at Tamworth we had Tamworth Rail Week one event was to be the naming of a loco 'Tamworth Castle'. When the loco arrived from Tyseley complete with cinema coach and placed in the siding on the High Level we were were amazed to discover that it was a class 25 and additionally in a modified livery. We were disappointed however to find that the name wasn't on a nice shiny red cast plate but the letters applied directly to the body. We asked the accompanying staff member from Tyseley and he told us that GW style plates were cast and when they wwnt to fot them to the loco- discovered a spelling mistake.  Tamworth had been spelt Tamwoth. As there was not enough time to cast replacements- and not the funds- the name was merely painted on.

 

At times I also covered at Nuneaton parcel office where my infamous mix up of two parcels occurred- not helped by the fact that the customer hadnt put their detaiis on the parcel which they were supposed to do.  I ended up labelling them to the wrong destination and customer resulting in a piece of machinery destined for a power station was sent to a farmer and a sample of bull was sent to the power station instead.....

 

On reaching 18 I applied for and got a job as a traction trainee at Stonebridge Park depot. I never started as despite wearing glasses at my interview I was failed in the medical for wearing glasses. At the time new entrants to the footplate could not have corrected vision only existing. However I was otherwise fit and more importantly not colour blind so signalling was suggested to me as an alternative.  I had had no major interest in signalling at the time but had enjoywd my time in the powerbox.  Working on my own also appealed so I was despatched to the Signalling School in Carlow Street Camden where our instructor was called Lew. At first I found the block bells difficult to remember and struggled with the finer points of block working. However visits to London boxes to see it in action as well as to Manchester to have a go on the LYR training layout things began to fall into place and it started to make sense sufficiently for me to pass. As most of the others were going into North London line boxes it was necessary for them to be able to isolate the 3rd in an emergency.  I also had to go along and learn this- it was in the building at Willesden low level opposite the rear of the TMD at the junction with the link from the dc station up to Kensal Green Jun and the dc line. The event was of absolutely no use to me as I was going to be located at a box in the Midlands (Hinckley) with no electrification at all, the nearest being Nuneaton and 25kV overhead. Apparently I was the only signalman in the area trained to do an emergency isolation of the third rail should the need arise. ..

 

To avoid boring you all further I started as a signalman grade A at Hinckley later on becoming a grade B at Coton Crossing Tamworth.  When this closed I went to Lichfield TV on redundancy.  When a job became available at Polesworth as this was at the same grade but nearer- I was paid travelling to Lichfield as part of the redundancy- I was moved there so they no longer had to pay the travel.  Polesworth was also abolished and at the time signalling jobs in the area were not very abundant and I ended up at Narborough still as a B but getting travel expenses again. Before long I became a class 2  RDR Leicester Area Manual Relief Signalman  with Narborough as my home station. I signed for Hinckley (again! ), Croft Sidings and Narborough. I was supposed to go to Corby North but could never get to learn it. At the time Corby either had no passenger service or a limited one which meant that if I went there I potentially would be paid walking time from Narborough to Corby or an overnight lodge. It was considered easier to get the regulars to work their rest days which they invariably would do. Towards the end of my time I was sent to Melton Mowbray to learn but never had enough time to do so. 

 

At this time the prospect of Privatisation was looming and I didn't see any satisfaction in operating a box by a tracker ball system. I also thought I maybe should be doing something 'girly' and being interested in medical type stuff, the human body and maybe breaking my left shin in December 1989 had an impact on me. At the time there were adverts for nursing and I applied.

 

I attended an interview at the local nursing still- still on crutches with a full length plaster- and was offered a place to start in April 1991 which I duly accepted. 

 

I left BR in April 1991 and ever since have wondered 'what if I had stayed, what would I be doing and where.'

 

To cut a long story short I qualified as a level 1 nurse with the title of RGN- Registered General Nurse. This was the newer version of rhe SRN but no longer registered by the state- instead being independently registered.  The level 1 is the part of the register- now known as the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) that your qualification is on. Level 1 includes adult general nurses such as SRN or RGN.  Different types of nurses are registered on different parts or levels. 

 

Initially on qualifying hospitals were not recruiting permanent staff and only using agencies or the bank. Result is you sign up for those in order to get work.

 

After a while I applied for a staff nurse job in A&E- where I had been working as well as peads and theatre all of which I enjoyed.  I was successful and in time undertook further training for PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support), ALS (the adult version), wound closing such as gluing,  hairtyes and suturing,  taking blood ( I could cover as a Sister Drac if needed) siting iv cannulas, giving iv drugs, triaging, prescribing analgesics and requesting X rays. Had forgotten but could also pass male catheters and suprapubic ones. This is not meant to be bragging but to illustrate how much the nurse role had developed in recent years.  When I started my training all those procedures were carried out by doctors.  I will admit that I loved the extra skills because not every nurse was able to but mostly it was more holistic care in that instead of waiting around for a doctor we could sort things out ready for when the doctor was able to see them.  It made the care that we gave less fragmented. 

 

In time I became a grade E Senior Staff Nurse in the newly expanded Emergency Medical Unit or EMU as it was known.  This had originated as part of A&E which we also covered but had outgrown the location significantly.  I sort of moved with it. Our remit involved assessment and instigation of a treatment plan for Medical patients admitted either via A&E or their GP. Then in theory they would be transferred to the appropriate ward for the rest of the stay.

 

My role included being the nurse in charge when needed which was something that I enjoyed.  However this would bring me into conflict with non clinical management types trying to tell me which patients to move and when. The big concern was the 4 hour trolley wait and the big rush to get them out of a&e round to us so that they would not 'breach'. This seemingly was with no regard for what was happening with the patient at the time or whether we had a bed available.  If the receiving ward did not have their bed ready then obviously we could not transfer our patient to them to make our empty bed. I was told that I would just have the patient in our corridor which I refused to do. In one instance we had a patient who was not long deceased and had his rels with him grieving.  I was told to hurry them up so we could perform last offices as A&E wanted the bed. Not a chance I told them. Care for our patients extended after their death whilst they were still my ward and I was not going to stop our care purely to pacify a non clinical penpusher with a clipboard. 

 

Needless to say that I was constantly in front of management and nurse directors being told off.  I was constantly refused promotion to an F grade Sister despite fulfilling the role every shift. I looked after the night shift and did the off-duty (the ward shift roster). However my life was made hell by them as they tried all sorts of tactics to get rid of me one way or the other.  They ultimately succeeded as they claimed to have cctv footage of me stealing medication and taking it. The cctv was covert. I was suspended and reported to the police who fortunately took one look at their supposed evidence and backed me up saying that I took my own meds from my pocket and had neithet taken nor stolen any meds from the drug cupboard.  The police were not impressed by the hospital and accused them of wasting their time with false allegations.  This made no difference with management who were trying to claim serious gross misconduct and unfit to practice.  As I was getting no support from the union (the rep was a member of management) it seemed that was it for me. I was told that my best option was to resign and I would not get reported to the NMC otherwise I would be fired and likely get struck off. I had little option really but to resign to save my registration.  My mental health was suffering too and my stepfather was undergoing major surgery for a life threatening cancer which shortly afterwards took his life.

 

When I felt able to I signed up with an agency and was getting regular work in similar departments at other hospitals but this time without the bullying. One of my placements was to a cat b male prison which I took to. They had very few permanent nursing staff and it seemed quite disorganised procedurally.  I ended up sorting it out and was offered a permanent job which I accepted. I looked after a number of areas within the prison and soon found that because of my previous A&E experience I was the one to attend any emergencies or medical incidents on the wings. At times I could be the only permanent nurse on the site with the rest being agency.  The implications of this were although they were cleared to work there they weren't cleared enough to carry either a radio or keys which I could. The result was that I had to assist them getting around if there was no officer about but only I had keys to the medical areas. 

 

As much as I enjoyed the role after a year I was getting tired and having regular migraines even at work and was really struggling to manage with the long shift of 0700-2000 in addition to the hour long drive each way I ended up having a breakdown,  took an overdose and ended up as a patient on my old ward. I had also stopped eating properly. I was signed off sick and ended up having to give my notice. 

 

During this time my mental health spiralled out of control,   I had stopped eating and drinking which resulted in another week in hospital. 

 

To try and cut this short I had weekly CBT sessions for a couple of months until they were stopped abruptly because of cuts.  Apart from being on Sertraline that is the sum of my mental health treatment and that stopped 5 years ago. Result of being left to cope on my own is having to try and deal with any crisis as it occurs and try not to resort to destructive behaviour which is very difficult as I think I posted about a few weeks ago. I'm also having to now deal with anxiety which I cannot ascertain the cause of so I can fully relate to the traumas that Rick's wife is experiencing.  She is lucky to have Rick as he seems to be very supportive of her which does help to reduce the anxieties. 

 

Alongside this I managed to get my self a duodenal ulcer which eventually cleared up but does recur from time to time but is no big deal in the scheme of things.  Add a diagnosis of anorexia which never progressed to a dangerous state but constantly reminds me of its presence every time I see my reflection or just look at myself as to me I look like an awful fat blob especially since I put weight back on. But so far I haven't slipped back into my restrictive eating although at times it has been close.

 

Hopefully I don't sound like a hypochondriac or someone with Munchausens but I just wanted people to know that whatever life throws at you and however bleak it may feel you can get through it with love and support.  I'm not saying it is wasy- far from it- but I have found that by understanding how my depression and anxiety affects me and learning to recognise the triggers or falling towards 'meh' I have been able to lessen the effects and its impact. 

 

One of the things that I have found really helped me is being a part of the railway world. Attending shows whether as an exhibitor or punter and having others concerned for or looking out for my welfare does me the world of good.  Regularly reading ER after being introduced to it by Kelly has me feeling a part of something.  Reading about the Neighbour Upstairs at the Hill of Strawberry or Sheila's zumba class, Chrisf and The Tie, the blocked drain, idiotic drivers, swimming at Salford Quay (as in literally? ), John and Sandy with their journey- thankfully arriving at the desired destination, not remembering the amazing courage of Mal who is an inspiration to those of us with ailments and whatever- worrying and stressing about it won't change or heal you. I really wish that I had his strength and courage and not forgetting the inimitable Ben the Border Collie and the Big Brown Eyes just to name a few have now become an important part of my life. I enjoy reading of your daily experiences in whatever form they take be it aches, pains, joy, sadness, sailing, sheds, baking and despite rarely posting myself (thank gawd i hear you all cry) feel a part of something that make carrying on in this life worthwhile.  I hope that all here do manage to experience peace of mind and thanks to you all for  opening up and sharing parts of you. You may never realise the positive impact you can have on someone in a time of distress. 

 

Anyway I am going to go know as my own real black dog- the glorious Patterdale,  Minnie the Mop, is wanting some fuss. I am sorry for the length of this nonsense and for getting all philosophical and stuff.  I only meant to add to my earlier post that I am am a registered nurse- albeit not active as run out of practice hours.  It has been quite cathartic writing this although I have now a headache and blurred vision from peering at this small screen and virtual keyboard for so long. 

 

Best wishes to all of you and I hope any suffering or distress is soon alleviated.

 

G'night awl.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Early here. We are off to Switzerland today. Just an excursion, we return here beside Lake Como this evening. 

26C now, forecast to be 33C later. I have my hat. I am not sure which bit of the tour requires warm clothing but being obedient I have put a thin fleece in the rucksack.

 

Natalie. I read your post. You have done a lot! I did wonder how you combined signalling and nursing. Now I know.

 

Tony 

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

I’m off to London later today.  The prime purpose of the expedition is to witness the launch of Elliott Morris’s CD, and to get my copy autographed.  The venue is Cecil Sharp House, an unremarkable edifice that is a brisk walk from Camden Town tube and worryingly close to London Zoo.  I was last there a few months ago for a concert by Grace Petrie which was all the more enjoyable for being in such incongruous surroundings.  If there is any justice, Elliott’s album will raise his profile significantly.  It could not happen to a nicer guy.

 

While I am in London I will take the opportunity to visit the Pride pop-up shop.  I need at least one T shirt and a few additions to my collection of rainbow regalia.  As I will be near Covent Garden I might just pop into London’s Transport Museum to see if they have restocked with mouse mats, since the one I have will not last much longer.

 

The joining instructions for the parade at Pride in London have finally arrived – cue sigh of relief.  The Individuals Group has its own entrance, round the back of Broadcasting House.  Sadly, by the time we have been told to arrive the elite at the head of the parade will be long gone – so much for rubbing shoulders with the Band of the Royal Marines!  We could be on the move by about 1.30 pm and may have reached Trafalgar Square by 3 pm.  What could possibly go wrong?  Plenty, given that the total number of participants could well exceed 40,000!  With a week and a half still to go it’s all getting just a bit real …

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

Today is supposed to be the warmest day of the week.  I am not looking forward to this afternoon, given that it reached 39°C yesterday!

 

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

 

Have a good day everyone...

[Barry O]

Robert,  please send the heat here as it is cold, overcast and very damp here in the North West Leeds Highlands. 

P!ssedoffumpireofleeds

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Yep, raining again.

Supposed to umpire a 35 overs a side match today at 11am. Outlook less than hopeful.

Pah!

Youngest Herbert has arranged for 2 meninavan to collect our oldsofas on Friday. We may need to sit on dining chairs until new ones arrive.

 

Have as good a day as you can!

Baz

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

A terrible nights sleep, partly because I couldn't find a comfortable spot and partly because I was too hot..

 

During the oblutions it was obvious looking out the window we had had a small shower of something liquid outside, but the landrover bonnet was drying rapidly as I shaved.. it's very dull and overcast out there..

 

While out on Patrol with Ben the Border Collie, I was standing waiting, while a Muntjac deer wandered round a corner 10ft from me while muching away... it looked at me.. thought about it... then legged it.. Luckily for it, Ben was depositing  something round another corner and otherwise engaged..

 

It was warm enough to drive in with the passenger window open a few inches..

 

Much hammering and banging through the boiler room wall, they haven't broken through yet as the are putting in a supporting steel for the boiler room roof..

 

You may remember back in January one of our Chirstmas doos  was cancelled... We are now having it on .....Jul 3rd..

 

Right, one of my test leads has just broken...

 

Time to... wander off and find a Soldering Iron..

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a rather warm part of the Charente. It's not been too bad so far and the house stays reasonably cool as the walls are nice and thick.  I didn't do a lot yesterday apart from the first of three visits to the fang mender. He enjoyed watching my video of the Big Boy and the prep of the first root canal was relatively painless. Part 2 is next week.  Afterwards I did the essential job of getting two wineboxes refilled. The rest of the day I did various small tasks and wasted time listening to the cricket.

 

This morning I am due to start dismantling bunks in the spare room. We need to empty the room to level the floor. I don't propoze to do too much this afternoon.

 

Natalie, thanks for posting your story. Very good reading. I look forward to more contributions.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

 

 

[Dave Hunt]

A dull, grey start to the day in North Swampshire but at least it's forecast to stay dry. SWMBO and pal spent yesterday in Liverpool doing touristy things and as a consequence I got some mod***ing done. Not so fortunate today though as I now have to depart to the market and then we've got friends coming round for lunch. And that's it really, not the most exciting day ahead.

 

An interesting post by Natalie showing that even our ramblings here on ERs can sometimes be of value. Minnie the Mop sounds interesting; some friends of ours had a Patterdale terrier and she was lovely.

 

Have a good day everyone.

 

Dave

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Well it isn’t raining, but we did have some rain overnight, however it is dull and cool, only 13C!

 

This morning’s recycling dawn chorus arrived early, but thankfully I was able to drift back to sleep not long after. There’s not a lot planned for the today as I have an appointment with sister drac for my annual PSA blood test. This was previously done by my oncologist team at “The Christie Hospital” but last year I was discharged from them and so this will be the first one taken under the supervision of my own GP’s surgery, albeit via the local hospital’s phlebotomy department. As my appointment is 11:30, yes you have to make an appointment now for blood tests and as mine isn’t a fasting blood test, I was pushed back, leaving the earlier test for them! So it means not a lot will be done this morning and as we have Ava, Evie and Max round for tea tonight, not much will be done after dinner either!

 

Sheila’s wrist is continuing to improve and she’s hoping to do a few domestic chores today, I just hope she takes note if the wrist starts to complain.

 

As Dave mentioned above, an interesting post from Natalie, which just goes to prove that one persons inane ramblings can give comfort to someone in need, who’d have thought it?

 

Enjoy the day, back later

[bbishop]

Morning awl,

 

A brief post before off to Stroke Club.  A fraught day at Lords yesterday, watching England come second in every department.  Personally, only treated two minor injuries but the team had two major incidents, including one who was in A&E twenty minutes after collapsing; mind you it helps to keel over right in front of a cardiac consultant.

 

Back later.  Bill

[Kingzance]

Mawningawl,

 

At the risk of upsetting Natalie, my visit to Dracula's daughter has been completed although she chose to take two fingers-full from my right arm rather than the normal left one. I am concerned that the blood in that arm may lack the consistent traits exhibited by the fluid in the left arm ! Why daughter? Well, just like policemen these days, they all seem terribly young to me and as for politicians, well....

Cribbage last night was poorly attended due to holidays for some and forgetfulness of others but we did manage several hands, even if I had to restrain myself in terms of what I allowed to pass my lips. Today I will attempt to install the dash-cam in the KZmobile, perhaps I may even go and get my pale imitation of the barnet belonging to the Honourable Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip neatened but that won't be photographed as The Press have no need to pry into any aspect of my (strange) little world. The regal booze warehouse has notified me my new consignment of The Guv'nor is available to collect too, sadly I could have done that yesterday when ferrying g'son to golf so more fuel will need to be burnt before the weekend. And now I have just been informed of our plans for the weekend. These include watching son risk his life and/or appendages in a soap-box derby and then having four or more grandkids sleep here over Saturday night. No doubt it will fall to me to get them off to their various Sunday clubs / classes whilst SWMBO takes an hour or so to prepare herself for the world to see her. I feel I no longer have any say in how my life is organised, maybe I need to go back to work where at least I could plan what I did and when I did it?

 

Have a good day everyone, even if some "body" has blocked the heatwave that we were promised by the seaweed twirlers and replaced it with gloom and damp.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. And a very humid and sticky Estuary-Land it is. I found Natalie's 'life story' very interesting, I wish I could say the same about mine but I spent the last 38 years of my working life with one employer and the last 30 years of that doing the same job. Now I've got to sort out suitable containers for some books and magazines for the club sales stand at our exhibition in ten days time.

[Kingzance]

11 minutes ago, bbishop said:

Personally, only treated two minor injuries but the team had two major incidents, including one who was in A&E twenty minutes after collapsing; mind you it helps to keel over right in front of a cardiac consultant.

Bill, that reminds me that one of the best places to have any major health "event" in south Northants / northwest Bucks would be at Silverstone circuit during any significant meeting. The circuit's medical facilities are fantastic and you can even get a chopper ride out if it's really serious and if you hold an FIA License.

[jamie92208]

Just now, PhilJ W said:

 Now I've got to sort out suitable containers for some books and magazines for the club sales stand at our exhibition in ten days time.

Wine boxes (for 6 bottles) are excellent.  However you might have to work very hard to accumulate enough in time for the show.

 

Jamie

 

 

[PhilJ W]

3 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

Wine boxes (for 6 bottles) are excellent.  However you might have to work very hard to accumulate enough in time for the show.

 

Jamie

 

 

For magazines I use A4 printer paper boxes obtained from office suppliers. As the vast majority of magazines are now A4 size they are perfect.

[TheQ]

I too have to Dracula's abode today, but this is just to get an appointment to have a hole made in my arm next week. Then another appointment for a week later to get the results..

 

Meanwhile the builders are hammering drilling and diamond sawing, but they've not broken through yet.

 

I received a new resistor from the states a couple of days ago so measured it for the first time just before I left yesterday

 their measurement 1.000059 Ohms, mine 1.000060 Ohm, and this mornings measurement 1.000060 Ohms (but 0.03PPM different from yesterday)  a good set of measurements so far.

 

 Now theres a broken temperature meter that has arrived, but the fault is nothing to do with measuring, so while that settles I shall go have a mug of sugar free blackcurrent..

 

[Happy Hippo]

12 hours ago, timbowilts said:

As a married man the only time I don’t end up sleeping on the edge is when SWMBO isn’t here 

Tim T

As a married man I spend most of my time living on the edge, let alone sleeping on it!