Early Risers.

[grandadbob]

Just been talking to Russ next door.  Apparently the Chinese “ builders” doing the loft extension next door to him are really thorough! They’ve now put the new ceilings in twice!  Possibly because when they put the roof on it wasn’t quite right and during the thunderstorm the other day there was a large ingress of water.  Oops.   I feel sorry for the family who live there but I do know that they turned down the highly recommended firm who’ve done 6 or 7 other loft extensions in our road (with no problems) because they were too expensive.

You pay peanuts etc 

[laurenceb]

Great news pups (Alan)

Situation normal in ches GDB then

[Tony_S]

Fortunately it cooled off this afternoon as Aditi had been making lots of gooseberry jam. Some fruit will have to be frozen as she has run out of sugar and supplies won’t be available until next Thursday’s routine delivery from the supermarket.

 
The jam is that colour as the sugar is unrefined . There are still lots of gooseberries too. Some will end up in a crumble and some in some sort of gooseberry cake. 

[JohnDMJ]

Good Evening, Awl, for it may be considered, by some, so to be!

 

I'll start with comments:

 

13 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Bluetooth can be a power hog - at least it is on my telephone. Consequently, I usually have it off, unless I need to temporarily pair it with a device like headphones (very rare for me) or (one I find particularly useful, or at least did pre-pandemic) a remote camera shutter*.  My car is old enough to not support Bluetooth so there's no value in using Bluetooth to connect the 'phone to the car.

 

My car was 'on the cusp'! Whilst there is provision in the main firmware for a mobile 'phone, mine has a Parrot device fitted.

 

2 hours ago, PupCam said:

Puppers is a good deal cheery this afternoon having had the results this morning of my recent procedures.   The initial diagnosis of my lung condition has now been confirmed and I'm relieved to say it is benign and treatable.      I have to say recent thoughts and "What-ifs" on whether the big C word was rearing it's ugly head had led me to contemplate black dogs quite a lot.   There's still a number of things to resolve but at last I'm feeling a good deal more optimistic than I was.

 

@PupCam: I wish I could say the same!

 

I am currently on a list for eye lid surgery to reduce the risk of the lashes scratching the eye ball and, following an Echocardiogram, referred to the Heart Failure Clinic with an estimated ejection fraction of less than 20% and a pulse in excess of 130bpm!

 

"Life, don't talk to me about Life" - looks like I'll need more than the diodes down my left side to be replaced!

Edited July 23, 2021 by JohnDMJ

[New Haven Neil]

Michael, that 20c soon became 28 - but didn't quite meet yesterday's 29.9.

 

Good to hear Pupper's news, and best wishes to John and Tiggs for their health issues.

 

The old farts bike club was poorly attended with just 5, but one member launched his newly restored Tiger 100, photo soon, the developer is just warming.  AKA phone battery flat.

[NGT6 1315]

Cheers all. Felt quite stressed out and achy today, even though no immediate causes (as in, events to have occurred today) actually come to mind. It's bound to get fairly warm tomorrow as well. Bleh!

 

I'll admit that I'm having trouble falling asleep these days, though. I'm feeling physically tense and cannot seem to find a comfortable position for half of forever. That, however, was, in my impression, something merely aggravated by a certain event last week, shall we say.

 

I think I'll call this an earlyish night anyway.

 

Be safe, everyone.

[Tony_S]

58 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said:

, following an Echocardiogram, referred to the Heart Failure Clinic w

After my echocardiogram I was referred to the heart failure clinic. They basically kept monitoring the effect the drug regime they had me on. So it was  increase, have blood tests, increase again. They had to be careful as the usual dose of one medication they like to get everyone on before other procedures had to be limited for me due to poor kidney function. I think the first Covid lockdown slowed down the process a bit but I was being reviewed and kept stable. After stenting (at the cardiothoracic centre in Basildon) and with all the drugs my ejection fraction was 60% so the heart failure nurse said I was now outside their referral criteria and discharged me back to GP care. 

[polybear]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

Clear Prop!

 

Afternoon all.      Puppers is a good deal cheery this afternoon having had the results this morning of my recent procedures.   The initial diagnosis of my lung condition has now been confirmed and I'm relieved to say it is benign and treatable. 

 

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

     I have to say recent thoughts and "What-ifs" on whether the big C word was rearing it's ugly head had led me to contemplate black dogs quite a lot. 

 

Been there, done that......

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

A certain Bear may be able to confirm that I have a number of Gold Medals in pessimism, probably nurtured by my experiences in the world of work! 

 

 

 

Puppers....pessimism?  Cynicism?  Nah......

 

 

In other news.....

Bear spent a fun day cutting and fitting some decorative cornice to one of the two areas of wall units, which happened to include the "boxed in" F/F.  What a barsteward of a job - it only takes a unit to be very slightly out of square with another and it affects how well (or not...) a cornice joint fits .  Attempt number one resulted in a very uneven cornice overhang above the F/F in order to achieve a tight cornice joint (I did think that a panel corner was perhaps out of square, but checks showed otherwise).  I did consider cutting a new cornice joint to achieve an even overhang, but careful measurement showed that instead of a 90 degree corner I'd need an......89 degree corner.  Bear's sliding mitre saw is pretty good, but reliable cuts to an accuracy of 0.5 degrees could be a bit ambitious.....

Attempt number two attacked the problem in a different manner and achieved a much better result - one of the corners isn't as tight as I'd like, but nothing that can't be disguised.  Bear happy.

Tomorrow will (hopefully) see the final fitting of today's work; I've the same amount of work to do again on the other area of wall units, but Mr Weatherperson suggests that the earliest window for working in the back garden again is Monday.....

 

Those paying attention/not falling asleep may recall Bear wondering about Political Correctness when it came to referring to ethnic minorities.  Well a guy on a TV programme yesterday lunchtime (BBC News Channel maybe?) referred to "Black Models" - the presenter quickly apologised to viewers, and pulled the guy up on it - it seems the correct term is "Models of Colour".  Ok, got that......

[simontaylor484]

Just starting to watch Secrets of the London Underground. Hope it is as good as the trailers look.i find the whole system fascinating and the DLR 

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[Adam88]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

the correct term is "Models of Colour".  Ok, got that......

 

Likewise: Prussian Blue, Midland Lake, Improved Engine Green, Apple Green, Brunswick Green, Blackberry Bla... 

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Cold dinner this evening, too hot and sticky to do any cooking so its salads and cold cooked meat. I managed to get my will sorted during this week. I've been waiting for ages to get some witnesses to my signature due to covid restrictions but we had a SEERS committee meeting last week so a couple of the members obliged. One of my witnesses is a retired solicitor which helped.

[leopardml2341]

Had to clear the editor, just so I could say "Goodnight folks".

[brianusa]

Had to change my password again according to head office.  Why I don't know as I've used the current RMW one for years Brian.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[brianusa]

21 minutes ago, Adam88 said:

 

Likewise: Prussian Blue, Midland Lake, Improved Engine Green, Apple Green, Brunswick Green, Blackberry Bla... 

 

22 minutes ago, Adam88 said:

the correct term is "Models of Colour".  Ok, got that......

 

Where does this PC all end?  Nothing seems to escape; even here a humble hobby forum which seems far from such goings on!

    Brian.

[Andrew P]

4 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Great to hear your good news Alan.  As someone else with gold medals and an honours degree in pessimism and black dogs I can certainly empathise with you…….

 

long pause…………….

 

just spent a few minutes mopping up as I reached for a glass of red to drink your health whilst typing with one finger on phone balanced on my knee and the wine went flying all over small table, patio door and carpet.  The Boss was not amused but that’s par for the course. 
Cheers mate  

Red wine at night

Part of Bob's plight.

[Andrew P]

Great day, We spent the afternoon at Step Daughters and Family, Great Grand Kinds in the pool and I managed a giant Hot Dog and NOT ONE, but TWO Jam Doughnuts. 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

I got out of bed a little later than planned, so that put me on the back-foot right from the off, as a result, I did not get chance to post this morning, but I have been lurking to keep up with the events of the day. 

 

It has been very busy day here, Ian was due to start arrive here at around 10:30 to start the plastering. So I had to get to the butchers and back before he got here, I also still needed to go to the Trafford Centre for a few more comestibles. Ian arrived here early, but luckily I managed to get back from the butchers 5 minutes before Ian got here. Earlier in the week, Sheila had arranged with Vickie for Ava to spend the day with us, so that it would give Vickie a break as she is still working from home, so Ian brought Ava with him in the van.

 

However, before I could head off to the Trafford Centre I had to make sure that Ian had all he needed to get started, I set up a supply to his mixer (an extension lead from the shed’s RCD socket) had been sorted I left for the Trafford Centre. It was a very quick visit and I was back home within 45 minutes later and once the shopping had been packed away I went to see how Ian was getting on. I was surprised to se that he had almost finished applying the plaster to the ceiling and was waiting for it to go “OFF” so he could do the polishing. He had a little bit of “mix” left over so managed to get the wall by the door which has a light switch fitted done as well as the section above the door and round the window. At that point he called it a day as his arms were aching due to constantly working above his head, so after cleaning down, he set off for home just after dinner. He is coming back on Monday morning to start the walls, but thinks that it will possibly take another two days work to finish the job completely. In the meantime,I shall leave the ceiling to harden off for tomorrow and Sunday morning and I shall put the lights and a switch back up on Sunday afternoon, so he has some decent lighting to work by on Monday morning. 

 

Ava stayed for dinner, something that she has not done for almost 2 years now and did not go home until about 4:30 this afternoon. After dinner Ava and I spent a bit of time I’m the kitchen and we made a tray of rocky road cake, most of which she took with her when I took her home. Although, Sheila I put a few slices aside so we could have some after our tea tonight. Ava really enjoyed her visit, so much so that she is planning on coming again on Monday with Ian, when continues with the plastering. 

 

With all that has gone on today, the planting never got done,so I shall spend tomorrow in the garden with the possibility of an hour or so in the workshop in the afternoon. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[TheSignalEngineer]

10 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

There are suggestions that the app is too sensitive and it has been shown that bluetooth can "handshake" with a phone in another building through a solid wall giving a false "ping".

I'm feeling rather left out in this app business. Yes I can run the app, it's been working on my phone for at least two months now. I've been in several of what would be considered high risk areas on public transport, hospital and a large sporting event but still haven't managed to get pinged.

[southern42]

‘ night all and nos da. 

[Pacific231G]

2 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

Just starting to watch Secrets of the London Underground. Hope it is as good as the trailers look.i find the whole system fascinating and the DLR 

I've not watched it yet but I used to use the Aldwych branch to get to Bush House when my shift coincided with the rush-hour-only times it ran in the years before it closed and I was feeling too lazy (so usually at the end of a night shift) to walk to or from Holborn. With just the one line in use, Aldwych was quite an eerie place with tunnels going off in strange directions (actually to the out of use platform)

 

I'm going to a BBQ in Richmond-u-Thames tomorrow afternoon - I think I'm going to get wet!

 

G'night all. 

[Ozexpatriate]

3 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Michael, that 20c soon became 28 - but didn't quite meet yesterday's 29.9.

I called "uncle" when the exterior reached about 27°C and switched the air conditioning on. It truly wasn't uncomfortable, I just didn't want the heavy load of trying to shift a big thermal mass as the afternoon warmed up more.  It's about 29°C now at 4:00pm. Tomorrow is hotter - around 33°C.

 

I wonder whether the "ductless, mini-split air conditioners" will become popular in the UK as people start experiencing more frequent hot weather. In southeast Queensland few older homes have ducting (no need for central heat) so traditional ducted air-conditioning was impractical for most and the introduction of split systems* became very popular. They really only need a small hole in the wall for heat exchange fluid pipes and are very effective - the small ones are really good for room sized spaces - nice for sleeping or the living room where they will keep certain electronics at a nice ambient temperature. Far superior to the old window units.

 

In rental spaces in the US, "portable" units are popular, but awkward. Landlords usually forbid window units so caster-mounted portable units are an option. They have security implications because a window/door has to be opened to accommodate the tubing. Some kind of dowel is usually used as a "locking" device and some DIY blanking of the remaining open space is needed.

 

* Separate air outlet (usually wall mounted) and compressor (which is outside).

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Ozexpatriate