Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

12 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

I was in Vancouver during the 2011 post-Stanley cup riot and couldn't believe what was happening. We'd been out for a meal with my cousin and were just about to return to her place in North Vancouver when we became aware of lots of police activity and a crowd of very noisy people in the vicinity so putting two and two together we beat a hasty retreat. Fortunately our car was parked outside the danger zone so we didn't get involved but it was a bit scary. 

10 hours ago, AndrewC said:

I can't understand why people go stupid after winning or losing a sports final. 

7 hours ago, pH said:

When the Canucks made it into the final in 1994, the hype and foaming in the local media was just ridiculous. A writer in the ‘Georgia Straight’, the local ‘alternative’ paper, commenting on this, wrote that it was so heated that they had better win or there was going to be a riot.

It often doesn't matter if they win or lose. Some cities have a worse reputation that others; like the ironically named Philadelphia - it's chaos even when they win.

 

I was in San Francisco when the 49ers won Superbowl XXIV in 1990. I was hosting my parents and siblings on their first visit to the US and was completely oblivious of the consequences that we happened to be in San Francisco while their team was in the Superbowl. (The game was in New Orleans.) We were staying in the Marina district and it was a zoo when the game ended. I don't recall it being deadly.

[polybear]

9 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

The dates are either side of my 73rd birthday next month. I will certainly take up the shingles jab as I had chicken pox when I was a child. Just wondering if there's any side effects.

 

A friend had shingles some years ago - it wasn't funny,but fortunately she recovered with no lasting damage.  Some don't however, and the effects can be life changing - including sight loss apparently.

 

6 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

At 3.10pm just after mick off we raided the homes of the biggest 3 drug dealers on the Chequerfield estste in Pontefract. Simon will know it well.  We actually got a rounf of applause from the neighbours as we took the scrotes away.

 

 

 

Hopefully they got sent down for a good stretch....

 

5 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Afternoon all,

 

Marlow was busy and pleasant but having studied the prices and menu at The Coach (one of Tom Kerridge's establishments) it was clearly after breakfast service had ended and most of the lunches were too big fora midday snack. 

 

Bear took a look at the menu...

I was particularly taken with the following:

Invisible Chips £7.50

(This is a charitable donation towards Hospitality Action to help support the hospitality trade during these current times)

This Bear will go for the visible ones, thanks all the same.  Though not at seven and a half notes....

 

In other news:

The second corner unit shelf has been modified by the addition of an extension piece, so that's another tick in the box.  A short period of paint brush wielding has been undertaken - so that's the plinths finished (though there is a chance that a router may need to attack the section below the dishwasher once I've fitted the door, in order to provide a clearance notch so the door can open correctly). 

I've also been pondering the flexible water inlet hose for the washing machine - the current one has an iffy looking crease in it so will be replaced; I have two unused ones in the loft but after inspection I noted that both are marked with what appears to be a date of 1998, so I've decided they're just not worth the risk.  Instead I'll probably go for one of these - a dual layer inner hose encased by a hard plastic outer hose:

https://www.espares.co.uk/product/es1744327/universal-flood-proof-aquastop-fill-hose---15

- if the inner hose carrying the water leaks then the outer section detects it and shuts the water off at the inlet to the hose.  Seems sensible.  What it won't do is detect a leaking washing machine though.  As a new customer they emailed me a 20% discount code by giving them an email address, so that saves a few quid.

 

 

[simontaylor484]

Just caught the end of Hoarder Homes on Channel 5 makes my mass clear out pale into insignificance. Honest 

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Been busy with the usual Tuesday/Wednesday gang but also been to work for the afternoon so not up to date with the going on here. I hope everything and everybody is well.

After tea we took Sydney for an hours walk and watched the second half of the Germany -France game.

In the woods seen in the photo I posted a week or so ago are plenty of blackberry brambles and there was even a gooseberry plant. There are better blackberries to be had around the village and there were never enough gooseberries to go anything with. In both cases I don’t think there was enough sunlight getting through. We never buy blackberries, there’s stacks of them around here and though I quite like gooseberry crumble its not something SWMBO makes. 
Currently reading a book ‘Project Cancelled’, a history of cancelled British aircraft, probably bring a tear to a couple ERs. The 1957 White Paper and Dunacan Sandys have a great deal to answer for. My all time favorite aeroplane is a de Haviland product, the Hornet. 

Getting late and an early start tomorrow so goodnight,

Robert 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[leopardml2341]

Goodnight folks.

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

This morning’s dull start turned into hot sunshine by mid morning and it remained like that for the res of the day. 

 

Ian arrived here just after 9 o’clock and we were on our way to the big orange DIY shed a few minutes later. Thankfully I was able to get everything I nodded earlier, 3 sheets of plasterboard and 6 sheets of flooring required. There was a short queue at the till, but we were loaded up and on our way back to my house by 9:40. We pulled up near the back alley gate a few minutes before 10 o’clock. It didn’t take us long to unload the van and by 10:30 Ian was on his way back home. I then went up to the kitchen and made myself a muggertea, then headed outside to water the plants. Then I made a start on the plasterboard, measuring and cutting etc and by dinner time it was done, whooo, hooooo!   All that’s left is to put the jointing tape on, but I’ll leave it a few days for the plaster to dry. I even had time to give the floor a quick mopping as it inevitably got dusty due to cutting the plasterboard sheets. 

 

Here’s a reminder of of how the wall looked last week. 

 

Below is how it looks at the moment 

 

After dinner, I plastered up the gaps at floor and ceiling level as well as those around the access door. It was then a case of cleaning tools and tidying up. In the afternoon, when I finally sat down I noticed an email from ‘Rails’ informing me that my locomotive has been dispatched, so it could be here tomorrow whoo, hoo. The plan for tomorrow is to start the flooring for new underfloor storage area.

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[BR60103]

6 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had to throw some food away earlier, some of the contents of the fridge had gone mouldy, almost certainly down to the fridge being accidently being turned down. Still had enough to make dinner even if it was cold which is preferable in this weather anyway. Time to put the kettle on, be back later.

Phil:

I keep a device in all our freezer compartments. A plastic water bottle is half filled and frozen standing up.  It is then left in the freezer on its side.  If the ice shifts to the side of the bottle, we know something has warmed up enough to be worried.

Probably not perfect -- some things may spoil before it melts.

 

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

 

Up early again but surprisingly not for the usual unpleasant reasons. This time, I got up simply because I woke up. I went to bed relatively early last night (well, early for me) and woke up after six hours sleep. So not bad.

 

It has been a fairly gruelling week so far and we’re only up to Wednesday. I had thought that with Mrs iD and the Wolfpack being away in the Holiday Hovel I would be enjoying the luxury of “dolce far niente”, sadly this was not to be as work has been quite demanding. Not that I am complaining too much as every penny earned helps getting me closer to my goal of travelling to Japan and having an incredibly luxurious foodie and train-travelling holiday there. This website gives a good overview of the trains, some of which I plan to travel upon: https://www.japan.travel/experiences-in-japan/en/2913/. Interestingly, even though some of these trains are incredibly expensive (even by Captain Cynical’s standards) they are so popular that for some trains you have to put yourself down on a waiting list for when a reservation becomes available. And for some of the trains the waiting list is, I believe, in the region of one or two years! 
 

Japan has quite a lot of different (and diverse) tourist trains, ranging from the incredibly luxurious to the incredibly twee and cutesy. Many of which help keep small, independent and local railway lines afloat. Now, a question to both The Stationmaster and Gwiwer: can you think of any reason (or reasons) why Britain has not developed the tourist train like Japan has? After all both countries have a spectacular scenery, both countries have an extensive railway network and both countries have very interesting places to visit.

 

I can think of a number of potential reasons why the tourist train has not been as developed in Britain as in Japan, but I would be interested in knowing your thoughts on this.

 

I have been reading the various comments about sporting events and the mayhem that surrounds them and I cannot help thinking about parallels with Ancient Rome. From what I have read, fans of various chariot racing teams of the time would have a go at each other with swords, knives and the like. (I think even dedicated and brave coppers like Jamie92208 would happily step back and let them get on with it). Regarding modern day sport, for me, Panem et Circenses very much comes to mind, not only the sport but also the political and social factors surrounding the concept of Panem et Circenses. The parallels with Ancient Rome are certainly there.

 

Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, these ancient sports stars could make oodles of money, with the Charioteer Diocles retiring at age 42 after winning the equivalent of US $15 Billion! The highest paid sportsman in history - so clearly we are underpaying our primadonna football players! (do you think it might be a bit too churlish of me to also point out that in exchange for [potentially] huge wealth, the sports personalities in Ancient Rome also had a very short shelf life - with death - more often than not - bringing “early retirement” to their careers? Many [most?] were also slaves). Equally intriguing is what I have read about the original Olympics: inasmuch as the losing athletes were strangled upon defeat (something that many football supporters today might wish upon some of the players of the teams they support???)

 

And on that somewhat gruesome but nonetheless sporting note, I wish you all a Happy Hump Day.

 

iD

Edited June 16, 2021 by iL Dottore
Typo

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

My half-hour at the crematorium yesterday was suitably peaceful.  Apart from a presence of clouds in the sky it was as I had expected and other than a patrolling member of staff I had the place to myself.  PupCam, your thoughtful words expressed just how I felt – thank you. 

 

On the way back from Cambridge I put some petrol in the car for the first time since late February.  Before that ruddy virus descended on the land and screwed up everything I would drive up to 1,000 miles a month.  Before visiting the petrol station I had driven a mere 200 miles in three and a half months.  In a typical week I have clocked up 8 miles – to the supermarket and back, twice a week.  Oh, how I miss being out and about and here and there.  Encouragingly, there are signs that this is about to change.  It is notable that tonight Area Group will be meeting, not via Zoom but by means of a member playing host to up to five others in his home.  It is so nice to have something in the diary!

 

Meanwhile, I am pleased to report a stroke of luck.  Late on Monday, on impulse and after the PM’s announcement, I visited the Sidmouth Festival website without knowing what I might find.  What I found was newly released tickets for all but one of the concerts which had previously sold out while I was booking my hotel.  Out came the credit card!  Out of curiosity I looked again yesterday - nothing left!  Everyone deserves a bit of luck once in a while.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris   

[polybear]

2 hours ago, BR60103 said:

Phil:

I keep a device in all our freezer compartments. A plastic water bottle is half filled and frozen standing up.  It is then left in the freezer on its side.  If the ice shifts to the side of the bottle, we know something has warmed up enough to be worried.

Probably not perfect -- some things may spoil before it melts.

 

 

Perhaps a smaller container would provide a better indication in case of a thawing/re-freezing cycle?  It would melt then re-freeze much more readily than a larger block inside a water bottle.  Just a thought.

 

In other news:

Bear is seriously pondering washing the car this morning, and most definitely before it gets too hot.  Can't remember the last time etc. etc.

And today I really do mean to get that last decorative end panel fitted - it's not a long job, after all....

Then I'll make it up as I go along.  Seems like a plan.

[jamie92208]

Good moaning. It's a bit cooler today and we are promised a high of 30 plus rain and thunder. Yesterdayvwas exceedingly hot.  We waited till the evening to get in the pool and it was 34 degrees, thevhighestvever for us. As it was so warm not a lot got done yesterday.  

 

A trip to the chemist this morning is on the cards then I plan to connect up the rainwater harvesting on the shed.  As we have a week of rain forecast I want to get prepared.  If it all works it will be good.  The ironing awsits at some point today. 

 

Apart from that there is not a lot to report except for a Checkpoint Charlene problem with our delightful granddaughter Emily.  She has had a cough for overca month. 2 course of antibiotics,  some piriton, and steroids later, she still has a cough. Shevhas not yet been seen by a medical professional.  No one has listened to her chest. To say that we are incensed is an understatement.  Obviously 700 miles away we can't do much but support two very worried parents. If I was there, I would probably have pushed Charlene aside and broken a Dr's door down by now.  We hope for some progress today.

 

Jamie

[Andrew P]

I'm going to make the most of this mornings walk in the glorious sunshine shortly, as we have rain forecast from tomorrow for at least 3 days. 

 

Nothing else to report as done, as nothing of any significance has been done.

 

So on that happy note I will just say;

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

[Barry O]

Cricket umpiring has become a bit easier to do. With warmer, drier weather no more need to wear loadsofclothes to kep warm.

 

Next door have been building a flight deck.. his house building costs have just rocketed as his builder can't start his extension due to lack of materials. The retired builder from over the road called over last week. He is sure that whoever buys the house when "complete" will be buying a heap of trouble.

 

Stay safe! Hopefully I will be enjoying a pint with Roundhouse and his good lady on Sunday.wooopppiiiiddddoo!

 

Mugateatime.

 

Baz

[leopardml2341]

Morning folks.

 

Bright and sunny here in South Derbyshire. Forecast is for 26C today before it all goes belly up for the next few days - bad news is that I've some leave booked and going away for a long weekend......

 

Good news is that where I'm going seems to fare slightly better.

 

On that note I'll return to my keybored day after wishing all who read my rubbish well and with hopes that today brings all you hope for (and bonuses) 

 

Bye for now.

 

[AndrewC]

Greetings from the boring borough. 

 

Yesterday was a bit of relief from the heat. Back to 30c predicted today. meh. 

 

I finally gone and dunnit. Accepted a new job, signed the contract, and fired off my resignation after 11 years, 5 months. 14 more working days. The prime cockwomble was named on the required reason for leaving form. Doubt anything will happen but who knows. Manglement can't redact the form as it bypasses them and goes straight to inhumane resources. That'll be the third time he has been named in a resignation in the past 6 months. Roll on a new fresh start for my last 120 months of working life. 

 

Coffee time. Enjoy the day. 

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from a Sidcup which is still fresh but sunny and promising high temperatures. There was a little mackerel sky when I was downstairs earlier but this seems now to have gone. I was planning to go for a decent walk at lunchtime to enjoy the last day for a while of wall to wall sunshine before we get thunderstorms and rain but some kind person has placed a meeting in my calendar from 1-1.45 right when I planned to be breaking for my lunch hour-ish.

 

Mrs Lurker has her second jab today. Hopefully she will not have any side effects this time, especially as she is working tomorrow.

 

the British GP people released the e-tickets yesterday. They are still planning to try to have full capacity (race day 140,000) despite it being the day before the next planned end to most social distancing measures. We shall see the outcome of their negotiations with government. It will probably depend on what the numbers of cases do over the next few weeks.

 

Hopefully young Emily will receive suitable medical attention and hopefully that reveals that whatever is causing the cough is nothing to be worried about. 

 

Nice to hear that Roundhouse is about - his absence from ERs has been noted, along with many others

 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, but not particularly good, from a miserable Fraggle Rock.  Vannin's Veil is down, mist and drizzle down to the Andreas Heights of 90 feet ASL, and to add to the misery is passing by at about 30 mph.  Power Mizzle!  The twirlers are predicting considerable improvement later, after the front passes.  Currently the mizzle is so fine the rainfall radar isn't showing it, but it is mighty wet out there, and a miserable 13c and 87% humidity.

 

Awaiting 'The Boiler Man' this morning, for its annual service and replacement of the modulating gas valve as it has become very noisy.  This will no doubt absorb this month's toy money. And possibly next month's too. 

 

Here's hoping that young Emily can get some medical attention, the practice really should be prioritising the very young.

[Barry O]

Congratulations  @AndrewC!

Baz

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple hare,

4 hours plus bits of hours not enough sleep.

 

Ben the happy Collie, was enthusiastic on his morning snuffle, SWMBO saw two young foxes playing yesterday afternoon..

 

On the way home yesterday there was a broken down Crop Sprayer, right on a corner less than 100 yards from where it set out. Since there was a copper on site and the yard hadn't towed it back into their yard, it might be the driver Parked in someone's gate way  (half hidden by the police car) might well have been the cause of the oil pool beneath / to one side of the Crop sprayer.

 

My desk hasn't moved.. But most others have.. Are they trying to tell me something? 

 

Yesterdays Major system Cross check hasn't gone well, I'm rerunning a section now..

 

So now I'm measuring the reserve set of master current shunts, while I wait.

 

Time to.. do the next ten measurements.

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Quite fresh this morning and not too warm (yet) but forecast to get very muggy before the thunderstorms predicted for tonight. I hope young Emily gets the medical attention she needs but there's too many Checkpoint Charline's around, I am fortunate that my surgery have well trained staff up front, the only question they ask is which GP you want to see. Time for breakfast, be back later.

[New Haven Neil]

Gosh yes, congrats to Andrew C, well done to escape the Directorate of Cockwombles. Yay! 

 

I wouldn't hold any hopes of anything happening to the wrangler/mangler though - as an aside it is their manager's, not HR's job, to do something about him/her.  HR may help the manager through the process, but managers are paid to manage and make decisions - HR are not, they just advise the manager on process. #takes off old HR hat#.  We get the blame for everything......