Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Ozexpatriate]

Up early to watch tennis from Roland Garros. Done. Watched golf after that. Done. (Total meltdown by the final group, potentially resulting in a dark horse invitation to the Olympic Games.)

 

Sunday afternoon television, now that the sports programmes I was interested in are over, is living up to the 'vast wasteland' reputation. This week is 'pledge break' for local Public Television. Hours and hours of begging for donations. I don't know why they think it is effective.

 

We finally had our promised rain. It has rained gently on and off for most of the day - except when I went out for my daily constitutional after the tennis. This won't solve the drought but it is very welcome and a good change from what was our driest meteorological spring on record.

 

The high temperature was lower than forecast and only hit around 18°C. This is much more typical weather for this time of year. Most years early June sees the annual "Rose Festival" - the biggest festival with parades and side shows down town. Per pandemic, this was cancelled for the last two years. It almost always rains for the Rose Festival.

[TheSignalEngineer]

Good evening all. Been missing for a  while due to our traditional early summer holiday with the family. The trials and tribulations of rural internet connections has left me with about 30 pages of catch up to do. 

In recent years we have usually gone to Mallorca but due to the restrictions daughter arranged something different. She booked a cottage in the northeast to visit a few places like Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands. 

When we arrived youngest grandson met us with the news that the East Coast Main Line was visible across the fields from the main bedroom. He was sitting on the window sill with Realtime Trains on the ipad giving us a running commentary on what trains were approaching.

 

By the end of the holiday although SiL has never shown interest in trains other than a means of getting to an evening out in Manchester we had him out at 8am waiting to photograph the Blyth to Fort William Alcan and Oxwellmains Cement trains as well as Azumas, Voyagers and HSTs.

Just got to get him hooked on m*****ing now. 

 

Two days of extensive catch up on the G word have been done plus bikes cleaned up and gear stowed so I'm a bit tired now. However, there's a few days of catch up to do on the allotment tomorrow before a bit of cricket watching tomorrow evening.

 

On 12/06/2021 at 22:17, polybear said:

More from buddy next door regarding the bozo Surveyors report - seems he reported the bedroom windows as being "too low" and not meeting current regulations.  Er, that'll be just like all the other 52 houses of the same design built in the 1920's..

 

Was that to do with the need for safety glass if the windows have been replaced? If done after the present regs came into force IIRC the requirement is that any pane lower than 80 cm from the finished floor level and certain areas up to 150 cm above floor at doors should have safety glass.

Edited April 10, 2022 by TheSignalEngineer

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

It is not like me to feel for those who rule us but I have to say that they are in an unenviable position.  Later today we are to be told more about whether and when the restrictions on our everyday lives will be lifted.  We all have our reasons for wanting a normal life again.  Just under four weeks hence I plan to attend an event which involves being in the open air for a few hours and marching through a city centre with thousands of other people.  There is clearly a risk that the event will not go ahead.  What is the risk that there will be a backlash if it should be cancelled?  Let us hope that it does not come to that.  Someone, somewhere, may just possibly be worrying unnecessarily.  It would not be the first time since that ruddy virus entered our lives.  May wisdom be granted to those who need it most.

 

Yesterday I received what purports to be a text from DVLA which would have me believe that I have overpaid my vehicle tax and inviting me to visit a suspicious looking webshite.  I should coco!  The originating number is 07904 126289.  I have notified DVLA.

 

Mike Stationmaster, the idea for my route to Interlaken came largely from The Man In Seat 61, a superb website containing much to inform and inspire the user.  A few years ago I travelled via Paris and entered Switzerland at Geneva, spent the night there and made for Interlaken the next day. For various reasons this was not the most successful of trips.  My inbound train was held for an hour at the last stop before Geneva while the local pompiers tended to a sick passenger.  The next morning someone had been hit by a train east of Geneva and nothing was moving.  I had planned to meet Flavio in Basel.  Eventually I did, but not before a bit of wrong line working past the train which had hit someone and right line working past a very long queue of trains bound for Geneva Airport.  Later, by a blend of luck and judgement, I found myself on the same train as the rest of the tour party heading for Interlaken.  As far as I recall a good holiday was had by all.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris   

[Andrew P]

A good bright and sunny morning to one and all.

 

Last night we watched the launch of GB News, I found it to be a lot better and more diverse than the MSM, but with quite a few glitches like voice synchronisation and some link ups etc. 

 

Now watching the Great British Breakfast, we don't normally have TV on very much, certainly not of a morning these days, but I thought I would have a look and see how different it is. They have already covered things that isn't normally talked about. 

Production from behind the scenes has been patchy, but I'm sure that would improve very quickly.

 

Looks like another lazy day due to the heat, as yesterday was, I'm still not sure how I managed to sleep for most of yesterday in the Summerhouse and in the shade in the garden, and still sleep well last night.

 

Off now for a walk before it gets to hot.

 

Have a good day one and all, stay safe and well.

[polybear]

6 hours ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

Was that to do with the need for safety glass if the windows have been replaced? If done after the present regs came into force IIRC the requirement is that any pane lower than 80 cm from the finished floor level and certain areas up to 150 cm above floor at doors should have safety glass.

 

I'm pretty sure it's just the height, and nothing to do with the type of glass in the (double glazed) windows.  They certainly haven't been replaced for many, many moons - so I suspect that they preceded current regs.

 

Bear up at half five - I feel decidedly washed out (and some) for no particular reason, hopefully it'll bvgger off before too long.

 

I watched Jeremy Clarkson's new farming series via Amazon Prime last night - I thought it pretty good.  Typical Jeremy style (I rarely bothered with Top Gear - too many cars you couldn't afford, or just plain silliness).  He has a thousand acres in the Cotswolds to keep him amused, and to say he's on a steep learning curve is an understatement.  It's a real eye-opener regarding farming techniques and the problems Farmers face if nothing else.  Just understanding how to drive a tractor is one (though he went OTT and bought a bl00dy great Lamborghini  Tractor - which all the local farmers tell him is "too big") - it's like a space ship; forty forward gears and forty reverse gears for starters....

 

Now where's that paint brush....

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It's toooooo Bl00dy early this, I should still be in bed!

 

Just about to have my 3rd glass of water then I'll set off for The Christie, where I'll donate some red stuff for them to do there usual tests etc. I'll get a phone call next week to tell me what my latest PSA readings are. 

 

Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later. 

 

Brian 

[jamie92208]

No it's not early, it'as 8.30am for thosecof us on Berlin time on the Greemwich Meridian.  It's warm and is going to get warmer. At least the G avtivity is now only allowed  in the morning, or do the management  has decreed.

 

Sunday went well. Market in the morning and not a lot in the afternoon  then roast Guinea fowl and Yorkshire puddings for tea, a friend came with her two dogs and they enjoyed themselves. Our garden is secure and visiting dogs seem to enjoy exploring. Archie, one of the ones that came yesterday, always hides an old tennis ball somewhere but fi dsvit when he comes again. Yesterday it was much sniffed and inspected as Ben, a visiting golden retriever, had found it the night before.

 

Anyway the G word has been mentioned for this morning. I believe that my first task is tofi isg digging out a compost bin.  That may change the when daily orders are posted.  I also need to i vestigate a plug socket as I got a belt off it when taking a plug out this morning.

 

Jamie

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, yes, windy again and the residue from overnight rain, 16c's according to our garden thermometer, 12 feels like 11 according to appo-weather.  They don't usually differ much, odd.

 

I see the Signal Engineer has discovered Northumberland, one of the great secrets of the north.  More castles than any other county, sparsely populated, great coastline, hilly scenery inland.  Did you get to Cragside in Rothbury?  Quite a house, Lord Armstrong's old gaff, IIRC the first domestic house to be lit by electricity.

 

Not sure what the day will bring, both cars badly need the interiors cleaning out, and some tidying up of the garden railway for a friend to visit tomorrow.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Arthur Itis and his mates are away on holiday at the moment and the waterworks are behaving themselves.  Yesterday temperatures in the coolest part of the house were 22C, the highest indoors was 26C, still a couple of degrees cooler than outside. TV is behaving itself but I checked the connections before switching on, there was a a very small movement, less than a millimetre in the connection between the box and the set. Fingers crossed that will sort it out.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

5 hours sleep then various bit of sleep after..

 

Generally Doggies don't like bears.. Now I know why Ben the I hate Bagpipes Collie, isn't fond of Bears..

 

Touch of fever of hay this morning,  it's very rare for me to get it.. But all day outside over the weekend plus open windows and the fever came in.. Though it will clear up now in this air conditioned filtered air lab..

 

Just waiting for this weeks major system, shouldn't be long now..

 

The Photo of up North, looks vaguely familiar , probably because of having lived near Alnwick for 5 years.

 

Visited Cragside many times, took the dogs round the garden..

 

Ah system released

 

Time to get on with it.

Edited June 14, 2021 by TheQ

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup, where the hill is gently roasting in the morning sun. It was a busy weekend so I have not tried to catch up the intervening pages.

 

We went up to Town on Saturday early evening for Mrs Lurker's much delayed birthday mean; Theo Randall's - which was very good.

 

On Sunday we went to Cambridge and had a picnic with the Sister in Law and family on Jesus Green. The weather was good and there was plenty to see. In between that, we have also completed out contribution to Younger Lurker's updated EHCP - his annual review is next week - and watched some of the football. The Netherlands=Ukraine game last night was entertaining.

 

And now...some more work

[simontaylor484]

Good luck with the EHCP review Lurker we did our review for the youngest around Easter time it had obviously been delayed by the pandemic he goes to high school this time

[Simon G]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, yes, windy again and the residue from overnight rain, 16c's according to our garden thermometer, 12 feels like 11 according to appo-weather.  They don't usually differ much, odd.

 

I see the Signal Engineer has discovered Northumberland, one of the great secrets of the north.  More castles than any other county, sparsely populated, great coastline, hilly scenery inland.  Did you get to Cragside in Rothbury?  Quite a house, Lord Armstrong's old gaff, IIRC the first domestic house to be lit by electricity.

 

Not sure what the day will bring, both cars badly need the interiors cleaning out, and some tidying up of the garden railway for a friend to visit tomorrow.

I have briefly ventured out this morning and not surprisingly we have similar weather to Fraggle Rock.  Yesterday was a complete disappointment after all the forecasts of sunshine and heat, as we got neither!  At least we have a little sun this morning.

 

I have a trip to town planned today to see Sister Drac.  This could be problematic as our lane is closed due to work on  a water leak further down the lane.  There has been a steady stream of muppets ignoring the Road Closed signs and then finding the lane blocked, and having to reverse back again.  They usually reverse into our drive to turn, so it is being worn away.  As a result, this morning I have put our garden waste bin in the middle of the drive to deter any turning.  Unfortunately, the water leak works probably mean that the garden waste collection won’t actually happen.

[AndrewC]

Greetings from the tropical paradise of the boring borough. 

New air con unit installed in the man cave/shed/train room. Had to do some creative percussive maintenance on the existing vent as the airflow was insufficient and hot air was coming back in. Working great now. 25c outside, 19c inside at the moment. 

 

Quiet weekend. Too much beer on Saturday. Too much Gin yesterday. Too much sun both days. Managed a few small honey-do tasks but not many. Decision on my upcoming solar orbit completion long weekend next month has been made. We are dusting off the camping gear and heading "somewhere". Normally the weekend would have been Brussels for beer. (10 years ago it was 50 beers for 50 years. 5 years ago, 55 for 55. Not happening this year. My liver is happy, I'm not so much.) 

 

Jobwise, I've provisionally accepted a new position with a Newcastle based firm. Just waiting for the formal contract. No I'm not moving. They are 100% remote with only a hub presence instead of a formal office. I know a few of the people there already so hopefully this will be a good move for me. 

 

Time to do some "work". Cockwomble meetings on the horizon. 

 

Enjoy the day. 

[Gwiwer]

Good Moaning. 
 

Is it Tuesday yet? 
 

Why not?

[leopardml2341]

Morning folks,

 

Busy day at the keybored beckons............

 

Indeed it has already started some 3 hrs ago.

Best get back to it.

Have a good day folks; despite it being Monday

 

[TheSignalEngineer]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

I see the Signal Engineer has discovered Northumberland, one of the great secrets of the north.  More castles than any other county, sparsely populated, great coastline, hilly scenery inland.  Did you get to Cragside in Rothbury? 

I haven't managed Rothbury yet but it's on the list to do. Our son lived in Newcastle for a while so we had been up there at that time and did the coast as far as Boulmer. Previously we had done the Pennine Way and cycled around Hexham and the Wall area, plus trips on ECML including one behind a Deltic.

This time we cycled the coast around Bamburgh, Seahouses, Beadnell, Craster, Boulmer and Alnmouth and inland to Alnwick.  Bamburgh Castle was closed last week for filming so we couldn't go inside. On the way home we broke the journey for a visit to Locomotion which had been put off from last year. 

We hope to be back in Northumberland next year as there are several excursions on the must visit list from what we have previously seen and didn't get time to include.

[New Haven Neil]

Back from comestible shopping, sun now in evidence, 21 of those degrees we know and love.

 

Now a decision - split firewood or tidy garage?  Or procrastinate for a few hours?

[AndrewC]

4 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Back from comestible shopping, sun now in evidence, 21 of those degrees we know and love.

 

Now a decision - split firewood or tidy garage?  Or procrastinate for a few hours?

I'd sit and think about that decision for a while, then procrastinate until later. 

[TheQ]

21 minutes ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

I haven't managed Rothbury yet but it's on the list to do. Our son lived in Newcastle for a while so we had been up there at that time and did the coast as far as Boulmer. Previously we had done the Pennine Way and cycled around Hexham and the Wall area, plus trips on ECML including one behind a Deltic.

This time we cycled the coast around Bamburgh, Seahouses, Beadnell, Craster, Boulmer and Alnmouth and inland to Alnwick.  Bamburgh Castle was closed last week for filming so we couldn't go inside. On the way home we broke the journey for a visit to Locomotion which had been put off from last year. 

We hope to be back in Northumberland next year as there are several excursions on the must visit list from what we have previously seen and didn't get time to include.

so now you'll glow in the dark Having cycled past RAF Boulmer.. 

Just street viewed it.. the building I used to work in has been demolished.. That must of been fun, walls up to 3 foot thick of reinforced concrete,..

[jonny777]

Back from Lincs. Warm and sunny throughout, except for Friday which was a bit breezy and blew Dad's pipe out (not that he can suck enough to keep it going much on calm days). 

 

He can't see much at all, and refuses to wear his glasses or his hearing aid; so he is rather uncommunicative. The only comments we (brother, s-i-law and myself) had were 'yes', 'no', and 'thankyou'; plus a shake of the head when he definitely didn't want to do something - like stay awake. 

 

Anyway, I have done my duty, he will be 98 in August and will go back for that; but there is little more any of us can do. He is well looked after and can eat what he likes, or gets spoon fed and if we ask him if everything is ok for him he says 'yes'. 

 

I agree that north Northumberland is an excellent holiday destination, except in early summer if the wind is northeast and the sea fog persists all day with a temperature of 9C when the rest of the country enjoys 21-23C and sunshine. I had the best tasting fish and chips ever (and yes I have had them in Whitby) in a restaurant in Seahouses. Mind you that was about 15 years ago. Things might have changed now. 

 

Now to catch up with other posts.

 

 

[TheSignalEngineer]

9 minutes ago, jonny777 said:

 

I agree that north Northumberland is an excellent holiday destination, except in early summer if the wind is northeast and the sea fog persists all day with a temperature of 9C when the rest of the country enjoys 21-23C and sunshine

When we were out in the sun on a family cycling trip last week the man who lives in the old Chathill station house told us the previous week had been mostly sea fog that far in land.