Early Risers.

[TheQ]

Dull grey,  not much of the impending breeze apparent.

Bacon egg and black pudding eaten,  Muggacoffee no1 in progress. 

 

Norfolk dialect is scattered with Dutch derivations, it was before parallel bits of metal quicker to get to the Netherlands than London... 

 

Then it will be off out and remove the marquee sides,  clear the loose stuff into sheds,  truss up the boat in its plastic cover like a turkey. 

 

Depending on how long it takes,  I may,  do a little work on the keel,  and or the inkle loom.  I need to check the landrover battery  to see how it's doing. 

 

Ah just remembered I'd better tie down the bins or they'll end up in the North Sea.. 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2020 by TheQ

[leopardml2341]

Pretty calm in all senses here in Willington, forgot to close the bedroom door last night, so the natural light from other rooms also with open doors has woken me gently.

 

All bodes well for a great day playing tr@ins here:

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/64065-leeds-city-the-midland-side-in-4mm/

 

Breakfast, though I know not what it will be at this point, beckons.

 

Make the best of the day, see you later.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

Rugby watched last night, Sale overcoming Saracens comfortably although the latter had quite a few players missing injured or on England duty.

I thought Nick Tompkins, Dan Biggar and Rhys Carre are on duty for last years Grand slam winners, the name of whom escapes me at the moment........?

[jamie92208]

Morning all from Lindum.  We are now ensconsed safely at No 1 son's.  We were greeted warmly by Reggie and Tilly (Cocker Spaniel and Jack Russell) and their human servants arrived a couple of hours later. Fish and chips were consumed and some fermented liquids were consumed followed  by a tincture of Canadian maple whisky.  

 

Tilly's long term companion,  Patch, passed a week ago so Katie was a bit down. I passed her John's blog post to read which she found very moving and supportive. 

 

Today there will be sone repacking of the car to try and find a bag of purple garlic. This afternoon the oldies are being taken into town to watch the Rugby and then have an Italian meal.  No doubt my wallet will have to be opened.

 

Thoughts with all those in need and enjoy yourselves.

 

Jamie

[Kingzance]

Morning awl from a 7/8ths grey NEHerts.
 

Tonight we have the highlight of the Village Year - the Pensioners’ Christmas Party. It is a very good community bash where all village residents who receive the state pension can have a free four course meal with drinks in the Village Hall. It is paid for by a local charitable trust to which we subscribe and we old gits can of course make a donation in a box near the door. SWMBO thinks we must be part of it (I did say it was free after all) but I find it a little embarrassing. With the weather as forecast, I wonder if sprouts, mushy peas and onions will be on the plates? Naturally, for old people with an interest in sport, the event’s timing will clash with two tribes going to war in Murrayfield.

RANT Warning:

The reference to Frankie Goes To Hollywood brings me on to a matter referred to by our well travelled Bedford correspondent above. Regardless of the bravery that he refers to, for the news channels, papers and daytime tv to devote so much time or column centimetres to the Scofield factor shows what a crazy world we now inhabit. Of course there are people whose sexual orientation changes over time, it was ever thus and will always be so. It is hard not to view yesterday’s specific events as not being staged in some way to generate more publicity for a “celebrity” and the “gay” community as a whole. In our (strange?) current world, the publicity given to matters of the LGBT fraternity far outweighs that devoted to non-LGBT people. Am I wrong to assume the LGBT community therefore outnumbers the non-members?

RANT Over

As for pets, if I was on my own I would take on an animal as I see them offering and receiving companionship. At the moment, my fuhrer decrees we can’t have one as they are such a tie, insert other nebular objections here.

 

Seize whatever turns you on to make your day.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I have just received an email to inform me that a 7 mm scale GSYP Class 35 is now en route to this location.

 

A big heavy box from a model railway retailer might just go unnoticed if I am first to the door when the postman knocks.

 

I'd best be working out in the garage for the rest of the morning and on Monday morning if necessary..................

 

The upside is I can take it to LLandrinio on Tuesday for a test run!

[Barry O]

21 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

I have just received an email to inform me that a 7 mm scale GSYP Class 35 is now en route to this location.

 

A big heavy box from a model railway retailer might just go unnoticed if I am first to the door when the postman knocks.

 

I'd best be working out in the garage for the rest of the morning and on Monday morning if necessary..................

 

The upside is I can take it to LLandrinio on Tuesday for a test run!

Just check the chroming on the wheels..hopefully that will be all fix3e now...

 

Baz

[81C]

Morning All 

Sorry for your loss John I know how much a pet means to someone Slapped #rse would never allow me to have a dog but with various dog sitting for my daughter I would get my fix.

 

I had an interesting conversation with my new Babe last night about the things we would like do together holidays, week-end trips away and even days out the thought of it has put me

on a new plain of happiness I hope it can continue after my Horriblus @nus Poxus year I know now nothing could match what happen, feeling your world almost falling apart every day

and having to drag yourself out of bed and get on with it, what I have now is being able to determine a way forward which suits me.

Today is more painting it was tiring yesterday but I don't want to lose the momentum so onwards and upwards.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Enjoy the week-end everyone P.I. Casso      

[Dave Hunt]

Both Jill and I now totally lurgified, feeling like Monty Python's Norwegian Blue and staying in bed for at least the next couple of hours. Jill got up to make mugs of coffee and tea a while ago and later it will be my turn. Food doesn't yet appear in the plan. I think that the limit of my activity today will be exchanging lying in bed for lying on the settee watching some rugby but along with GDB I will avoid any great expectations and thus not add disappointment to my woes.

 

53 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

A big heavy box from a model railway retailer might just go unnoticed if I am first to the door when the postman knocks.

 

Richard, should the Obergrumpenfuhrer catch you out I can set up a camp bed in the workshop for you....

 

Regarding the publicity for LGBT and other minorities, I think that it is still somewhat over-reported as a natural reaction to centuries of persecution and having to keep in the shadows. Whatever many of us may like to think, there is still a lot of prejudice 'out there' and at the moment the pendulum may have over-swung in favour of publicising previously suppressed groups. Once there is more general acceptance, things will probably settle down to treating such things as celebrities 'coming out' in a more matter of fact manner. In stating this opinion I hope that I'm not offending anyone as that is the last thing I would want. 

 

Have a good day folks - still thinking of John and Andy.

[JohnDMJ]

Back again!

 

3 hours ago, TheQ said:

We are beginning to consider a friend for Ben the snoring Collie,  so we won't be without a canine friend. 

 

 

I trust you'll be letting Ben the ??? Collie make the decision!

 

1 hour ago, Kingzance said:

RANT Warning:

The reference to Frankie Goes To Hollywood brings me on to a matter referred to by our well travelled Bedford correspondent above. Regardless of the bravery that he refers to, for the news channels, papers and daytime tv to devote so much time or column centimetres to the Scofield factor shows what a crazy world we now inhabit. Of course there are people whose sexual orientation changes over time, it was ever thus and will always be so. It is hard not to view yesterday’s specific events as not being staged in some way to generate more publicity for a “celebrity” and the “gay” community as a whole. In our (strange?) current world, the publicity given to matters of the LGBT fraternity far outweighs that devoted to non-LGBT people. Am I wrong to assume the LGBT community therefore outnumbers the non-members?

RANT Over

 

 

I agree! The only outward indications I use are a rainbow lanyard for my work's dog tag when I'm on public duty (rare) and, occasionally, rainbow shoe laces. OK, it's life. People are different. Live with it but don't make a song and dance of it.

[JohnDMJ]

1 hour ago, Kingzance said:

As for pets, if I was on my own I would take on an animal as I see them offering and receiving companionship. At the moment, my fuhrer decrees we can’t have one as they are such a tie, insert other nebular objections here.

 

Seize whatever turns you on to make your day.

 

 

As a single worker, I could never live with myself if I had to leave a canine or feline pet at home alone for 12 hours each day. Cruelty springs to (my) mind!

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

Just check the chroming on the wheels..hopefully that will be all fix3e now...

 

Baz

Not only chrome wheels , but in true 70's style, his'n her name stickers on the cab windscreens, a loud exhaust and I've had the suspension lowered.

[Tony_S]

3 hours ago, AndyID said:

Not far from my favorite spot, Tayvallich

During my teens we camped there. My brother and I were having some rowing practice in our dinghy when a large motor cruiser entered  at too high a speed, hitting some rocks and smashing the stern drives. We started our outboard and went and asked if they required assistance. They said they didn’t. I said were they worried I was going to bill them or claim some obscure salvage rights, as I wasn’t and was just trying to be helpful. Eventually they did accept a tow to the jetty but even  then the crew were a bit obnoxious. 
it must have been mid to late 1960s as Dad had a Ford Corsair. I remember the man in the tent next to us saying we would have to stay longer as he couldn’t tow his trailer out of the hilly field  with his Land Rover. Dad offered to drive it for him. The man declined and said there was no chance of us getting out with that pointing at the Ford. We did but it was necessary to slightly repack the luggage in the boat. We started going on family holidays to Scotland as my Mum thought Wales and Cornwall were too crowded. Her definition of crowded was another family on a beach though. 
Tony

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s another beautiful sunny day with no frost here in the northwest of England. There are no plans as yet for today’s tasks, but as ever, that could change. However, at some time during the morning I will cable tie all 4 wheelie bins together, in hope that storm Ciara doesn’t deposit them further down (or up) or empty the contents in the road, which has happened in the past.

 

Enjoy the day, back later. 

[TheQ]

46 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said:

Back again!

 

 

I trust you'll be letting Ben the ??? Collie make the decision!

 

 

 

Of course, dogs rule in this house,  but we're pretty sure he'd love a friend,  he loves playing with other dogs. 

 

Oddity.. A radiator that hasn't worked for ages and was on the list for investigation when we decorate that room,  has suddenly sprung into life.... 

 

All the must do, anti Ciara tasks are now completed,  I remembered to extract inkle loom side two from under the boat cover before tying up. I'll put part one on top and draw round later. 

 

After overnight non charging of Landrover it's at rest battery voltage is 12.8V which is acceptable I'll check again tomorrow to see if we have a slow discharge. 

 

[southern42]

' morning all from red dragon land.

 

Condolences to John and Andy.

 

Despite the symptoms being very low key, I know my cold-or-whatever is getting the better of me, this morning - I have reclined the sofa to do this!  Needs must...

Ray is out playing t***ns and I aim to get a few jobs around the house done, but first, a mugadecafcoffee...and, judging by the way I feel, maybe an early lunch, too... After the next dose, then. 

 

Take care to avoid the bugs.

_______________

Best wishes

Polly

[Rugd1022]

This just in from Mrs.Rugd1022, taken a couple of days ago with her little compact digital camera...

 

 

Edited February 8, 2020 by Rugd1022

[Dave Hunt]

Half time Ireland v Wales. Noises emanating from the Muddy Hollow so far - groan, cheers, groan.

 

Dave

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all.  Thoughts with those recently having lost dear ones and those facing up to the imminently inevitable.  

 

A warm (by Februarian standards) day and definitely with the calm-before-the-storm feeling to it.  The large yellow object is shining but still low in the sky.  The breeze is slowly but surely lifting.  The back gate which Neighbours (Upstairs) seem incapable of latching after use is banging - banging - banging.  

 

Apparently there are some important egg-chasing sessions today.  My Welsh friends are offline.  At least this year the hordes of fans are not invading Twickers which leaves us in peace to get on with our lives rather than endure town-centre shut-downs every other week and the abuse of private gardens and hedges as emergency urinals for 82,000 folk.  If more (a lot lot lot more) Portaloos were provided then some of that abuse might be avoidable.  

 

SWMBO took me to lunch today.  A lovely local place with a Mediterranean theme called Avocado & Lemon.  We have been before.  It was as busy as ever and we were lucky to secure a table just as its previous occupants were leaving.  Others who looked in shortly after were less lucky.  We both opted for "Mish-mash on toast" which is scrambled eggs with cheese, sliced capsicums and wilted spinach on brown sourdough sprinkled with dukkah.  The verdict was superb from us both.  This place deserves the 5* rating it currently enjoys on Trip Advisor.  And quite reasonable too - two lunches and two mugs of coffee came in at a smidge over £20.  

 

We returned by way of a charity shop where SWMBO purchased a Beryl-ware tureen to match her ever-growing collection of what I call English Church Hall-ware.  She is free to disrespect my collection of items of interest if she so wishes   

 

On with the afternoon.  I still have electrickery to resolve and magazine articles to write.  Best wishes to all.  Especially those following the games.  

[Dave Hunt]

The most dangerous animals in Africa are hippos. After the result of this afternoon's match I think that may be the case in Shropshire too. Fittingly I suppose it is starting to rain. Just about to watch the other 6 nations game of the day, which could either help me forget some of the lurgy or make it worse. we shall see......

 

Dave  

[PeterBB]

Oban.

 

 As a student I spent much time on Kerrera, Rick might well relate this to Kingston, absolutely loved it, was quite happy walking down to the ferry and Sundays at the station … this was over 50 years ago.  On more recent visits (oops 17 years ago was last) much change and building had taken place and the 'short-cut' that made the walk was no longer present.  The number one highlight that has now come into mind was the morning I arrived coming up from London and Hamish and Marie my hosts were going to the games.  Off we went in the crowd behind the pipes for what turned out to be a fabulous day.   The other aspect was watching a Class 26 stop on the 'hills' above the ground and the crew taking their time sitting by the track eating their sandwiches while watching the proceedings.  The other highlight was Mr Beaton the ferryman at the time, Duncan is the current one, who one summers day took me across to Heather Island because he had sheep on it.  HIs propeller became entangled with seaweed and he was stuck … so he held my ankles while I slipped down over the stern to remove said articles.  I did once think of buying a small cottage in Horseshoe Bay that I had visited frequently in those early years but it was in a very sorry state ...

[New Haven Neil]

Talking of dangerous.

 

[Gwiwer]

17 minutes ago, PeterBB said:

Rick might well relate this to Kingston

I worked with a fellow student, from a different university, who had spent his summer mapping Kerrera.

 

I for my sins endured the wet and woolly wilds of the Ardrishaig area.  We stayed in Ford by Lochgilphead and were driven out to and back from our assigned areas daily.  On more than one occasion the roads were flooded and impassable to which the response from our senior lecturer was "Get out and wade - you have to get the work done".  In the end conditions were so atrocious for the entire three weeks that the external examiners gave us due allowance and did not require that the entire area was mapped.  They were happy with half.  I had completed something like 60% and achieved an A-grade for my efforts.

 

We also spent quite a long time in Oban - it seemed like far too long - as we had travelled by train overnight from London to Glasgow thence by morning train to Oban.  In that otherwise not unattractive town we had a seven hour wait for the only bus of the day to Ford Road End during which time it rained, blew and made anything beyond the cafe we holed up in utterly miserable.  And this was in August.  

 

Other groups from my year were based on Skye at Broadford and the remote settlement of Heaste.  With limits on accommodation our meagre 24 students were broken up into groups of 8 with two lecturers apiece.  

 

Happy days?  Well no, not really, but it helped me achieve the goal of the degree.  And with the bonus of some haulage on the Oban line which I hadn't previously travelled and had no chance to do so again for another ten or so years by which time the 26s had gone.  I also never got the climb out of Oban behind a 26. On the return journey our host decided that the station at Taynuilt was closer than Oban so we were duly deposited there instead.  

[Petesquire]

Interesting post about Oban. Neil Beaton was in my class at school. Brought back memories.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

The most dangerous animals in Africa are hippos. After the result of this afternoon's match I think that may be the case in Shropshire too. Fittingly I suppose it is starting to rain. Just about to watch the other 6 nations game of the day, which could either help me forget some of the lurgy or make it worse. we shall see......

 

Dave  

I wouldn't worry about irate hippopotami,  I watched the first ten minutes and then went off to do some wiring.  The team I support were obviously playing from the outset as if they wanted to lose.

 

Fortunately, the wiring went  so much better than expected,  I can start on the final turnout on the board tomorrow.