Early Risers.

[The Lurker]

31 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I don’t remember Brighton being this sunny….

or that sandy!

[southern42]

1 hour ago, brianusa said:

Re things medical; This is the first week that I was able to return to the train room after my hip surgery.  Haven't run a train for a year ......  Thats how long its been; feeling much better now!🙂  Toot Toot!

     Brian.

I do hope you enjoy it, Brian. Good on you.

 

Another beach.

The island in the distance is Ynys Seiriol (named after its saint) also known as Puffin Island. At one time (at least), so I have read, the sea used to go completely out enabling a walk across to this side between tides. I bet that was carefully timed!

 

In our sailing days, we took our shallow keeled yacht direct from the Strait to the anchorage this side of the island at low tide - usual way round is through the Sound and right round the back. I was watching depth reading; Ray was doing his Titanic bit on the bow looking down into the shallows directing me: port a bit...starboard... all the while, the tide going out - until we could safely get our anchor down.

 

So, if you want a bit of excitement, there’s always the Menai Strait to play in. If you are not convinced, there lies the remains of a bigger vessel at the bottom of the Strait near the Menai Bridge, still visible at low water.

https://menaibridges.co.uk/history/local-area/hms-conwy/

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon all 

 

200 mph in an old aircraft drop tank not bl00dy likely.

 

Mrs NHN should take some pictures of her archery prowess when she tackles Fleet. 

 

Not much happening today been to the garden centre this morning and dodged the rain. It did rain heavily during the night.

 

The seaweed twirlers predict a heatwave coming for the middle of the month 

[TheQ]

Ok now you know Microsoft are providing surveillance , the MS wallpaper popped up..

 A Roo bouncing across a beach...

[Barry O]

Zoooooom8ng along on an Azooooooma... seats are still carp. Sandwiches were nice but coffee arrived over an hour into the journey.

 

We have several patients on the train..  some of their telephone conversations with their doctors/consultants are intriguing.

 

One guy is busy talking about a meeting he is arranging tomorrow.. its all computersp3ak..so why isn't he doing it on line??

 

 

No details of our get together tonight.. I don't think sitting in the bar all afternoon at the " Dubious" a hotel next to Lord's which is really the Danubius) would be taken well..or would it?

 

Baz

 

[Tony_S]

Our neighbours have just returned from visiting their daughter and grandchildren in Wales. Their daughter sent us some eggs. Their chickens lay some interesting eggs. I think they are all “rescue” chickens. 

[polybear]

4 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

We as a nation stand corrected re sand on UK beaches. Some could use a proper swell though to be honest, say 500m. Luckily this guy wants to help..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/03/russia-ireland-nuclear-weapons-video-ukraine/

 

 

 

 

I'll bet at least one Numnutz will try to surf it.....

Incidentally, the Ruskies spout all their big scary horror stories but seem to forget that our Nukes are all safely tucked up aboard Nuclear Subs hidden well beneath the waves.....

 

Bear here.....

More painting done; I may well do more this afternoon (tbc) if I can be ar5ed to.  My latest order of paint (satin for the woodwork) turned up as promised, only instead of leaving it with a neighbour as instructed if there was no answer (I was probably in the back garden cleaning paint rollers....) they left fifty quid's worth on the doorstep.  Ar5ebadgers.  I only knew they'd been cos' the mixing sticks that were part of the order (they were cheap and I needed to hit fifty quid to get free delivery) were danglin' thru' the letterbox.

When I unpacked the order I discovered that instead of sending Owatrol Oil (a paint conditioner) they'd sent Owatrol Polytrol instead (a rather useful colour restorer and corrosion inhibitor).  Polite snottogram sent - I'm rather hoping they won't want the wrong item back, but at 27 quid a tin I'm not hopeful.....

[Tony_S]

52 minutes ago, Barry O said:

their telephone conversations

We had an “amusing” conversation at the weekend. My phone and Aditi’s both rang and we realised MiL had initiated a family group WhatsApp voice call. Aditi’s aunt in Delhi also answered and Aditi quickly explained she thought her Mum had done this by mistake as she was asking for her sister to be brought to the phone and didn’t realise there were various people listening. Anyway MiL it appears had thought it she had just rung her sister in Delhi. Aditi was listening and as usual in group calls was waiting to be asked something. I didn’t  know what was going on as all this was in  Hindi  so didn’t take part. Suddenly Aditi got a bit cross and said “I am here you know” and then continued in Hindi speaking to her aunt. It turned out her Mum had been telling the aunt that Aditi didn’t visit her and only rang “from time to time”. Aditi rings at least twice a day and that doesn’t include the stuff she  sends to her Mum on WhatsApp and all the messages she forwards from other relations. 

Edited May 4, 2022 by Tony_S

[Tony_S]

4 minutes ago, polybear said:

Owatrol Polytrol

I bought the tiny trial size of that and it does do exactly what it states on the tin. What I was trying to restore was really too far gone but on less faded brown upvc it did very well. A little does quite a lot. 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Finished tidying up the racking so I can start on the shed soon. Not today though as some stuff will have to go out on the patio and the weather is a bit damp today. I spotted the fox cubs down the bottom of the garden sheltering from the rain beneath my fir tree, how many I'm not certain. Time to put the kettle on, be back later.

[simontaylor484]

It would certainly appear all those around mad Vlad are round the twist as well.

 

[leopardml2341]

I've used owatrol oil as an additive to primer on mi narrowboat - however, beware it DOES change the surface finish despite what it says on the tin.

 

My primer coat, instead of being the required dead flat finish is a now a bit more akin to vinyl silk.

 

The owatrol oil had bl@@dy well better act as the corrosion inhibitor that it (also) claims to be........

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon awl. A fine sunny day now, though it started cool, dark and damp. Bath attendant duties attended to earlier. Topped it up, back inside, blackbird hops out and has a splash, then sits on the fence to preen. The bluetits are lowering the level on the nuts at a noticeable rate, will soon have to play waiter as well. 

 

The only time I've seen surfing has been in UK 'waters', when the waves have been 'modest'. Maybe three feet at most? It did look a bit different to what Hollywood has shown. The university had a surfing club, I saw them out occasionally at weekends and to be honest (though not tactful), I've seen bigger waves in my bathtub. 

 

We had a knock at the door yesterday, instead of a courier it was a canvasser (for the blue party). That's the first time we've ever had a doorstep call in my lifetime, in any of the houses I've lived in/owned. Not much said, plenty could have been but it wouldn't change anything and it wouldn't have been fair on him. 

 

Three pictures for the aussies, to reassure them British beaches aren't all sandy:

 

Or if they are, the sun is rarely out, even in summer...

 

 

And Englishmen do the strangest of things, whereas most of us take dogs for a walk on the beach, this chap took his digger. Heel boy! 

 

[Barry O]

Well knock me down with a feather.. LNER were...

.10 minutes early....

Now in a very strange shaped hotel room opposite Lords...

 

Baz

[leopardml2341]

2 minutes ago, Barry O said:

 

Now in a very strange shaped hotel room opposite Lords...

 

Baz

Oval?

 

 

 

 

 

 

See what I did there 🏏

[Barry O]

Sort of squashed lozenge shape. The bathroom door hits the sink when you open it!!

 

Baz

[TheQ]

Unfortunately..

[southern42]

I watched a video while having lunch, today. It seems such a long time since we last frequented Llandudno’s Victorian Extravaganza with the added bonus of watching Youngest playing in Batala Bangor in one of the side streets at one of them. The organisers and participants seem to have pulled out all the stops this year. What a wonderful turnout. And a fife and drum band (sad to have missed seeing them in the flesh 😪). Well done to all.

 

Sorry to say, I am hibernating until my high pollen count reactions go away. I keep telling them. 😂

 

Enjoy the sssteeeeeam bits - no parallel bits of metal to be seen, so quite safe! Llandudno’s “Alice” gives us a wave among the dignitaries wearing blue and white.

 

 

Edited May 5, 2022 by southern42

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Electrician came and did a wonderful job on wiring up the boiler, nothing is actually visible, as he took the cables up into the loft where the plumbers were able to bring them down hidden into the bathroom.  Boiler is now working, and visible so no more loft visits.  Also the dishwasher is in and working - but the plumber won't be able to bill us for about a week, as he is now catching up after he and his two assistants, Ollie and Beth (who is a six year qualified lady plumber), all went down with the virus.

 

Tonight, according to RTT, 1Z91 is due to stop at Ludlow for 18 minutes, and as a birthday treat, I'm being alllowed to go down to see it.  Tomorrow is our weekly day off, and we are taking Lily to Bewdley, where I will not be allowed to visit any more steamy things running on tracks.  Then another birthday treat, we got a coupon for a massive discount on a meal at The Squirrel, so we're going there for a scampi and chips and a tikka.

 

Generic greetings are on offer to all, and apologies for not reading and rating all posts - in a few weeks, that should hopefully change.

 

And it was my birthday yesterday, and Lily's is today.  Here is her birthday picture - she's doing well for 10 - same in doggy years as I am in real years.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[Ian Abel]

HUMP day - downhill from here 

 

Yesterday, successful taxi service for the Mrs to PT. She continues to surpass expectation, which pleases her, especially since she's not overdoing it. PT staff still place her two+ weeks ahead of where would be expected. The predicted muscle aching is the only thing bothering her - except for ME of course with mumbles about model railways 😀

Evenings spent icing and exercising, and watching baseball which she loves. Especially good at present as the local team are doing really well, a pleasure to watch.

 

Today, work, little else, though I'm sure I'll be off to the shops for comestibles again.

Managed a FREE car wash. Local garage we use (with car wash), was quiet, I went in to buy a card - cheaper with multiple washes - guy that works reception busy on phone with someone, so hands me a code and says "no problem, see you later" waving me off as I presented my credit card - woo hoo!

 

Weather is headed for a fast reset into SPRING/SUMMER, I'm looking at FINALLY getting the patio furniture, that we ordered last autumn and has sat in the shed in 4 boxes since late October, assembled and maybe even SITTING OUTSIDE in pleasant weather...

 

+2 first thing and SUNNY (reason for the car wash), high of 17 expected and next 6 days highs all in the 17-24 range with limited precip until Sunday.

 

Tally ho.

Edited May 4, 2022 by Ian Abel

[polybear]

1 hour ago, simontaylor484 said:

It would certainly appear all those around mad Vlad are round the twist as well.

 

 

Or trying to stay out of trouble perhaps?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10778065/Ukraine-war-Russian-oligarch-fears-life-criticising-Putin.html

"Tinkov says he is now in hiding outside Russia and has hired bodyguards after being warned by friends with connections in the security service that 'a decision regarding you has been made', leaving him in fear of his life"

 

 

 

[Tony_S]

17 minutes ago, 45156 said:

 

Lily looks very content in her new garden. 

[polybear]

Bear here....

Never did any painting this afternoon, but did faff around cleaning stuff up and thinning the next paint colour ready for tomorrow.  The paint supplier has read my snottogram but has yet to reply 4 hours later.  Hmm.....

 

 

 

 

[pH]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

Incidentally, the Ruskies spout all their big scary horror stories but seem to forget that our Nukes are all safely tucked up aboard Nuclear Subs hidden well beneath the waves.....

 

… or in RNAD Coulport!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNAD_Coulport

[NGT6 1315]

 

Why get one when you can get two for twice the price? 🤣

 

So, here's the story. Following their withdrawal from ÖBB service in 2009 and long-term storage until retirement in 2016, sixteen of the eighteen 1014s built were acquired by a logistics company called Zeller Transporttechnik in 2018. ZTT returned six locos to revenue service until the company went into administration by late 2019. I understand a debt restructuring agreement was finalised last year but as of now, the 1014s are out of service anew.

 

Interestingly, Tanzania intends to build an electrified standard gauge passenger railway and is looking to obtaining a number of these locos for this purpose!

 

Though under the It's My Railway rule, I would work from the assumption that ZTT had continued independent railway operations, and am planning to mod these two locos to resemble those they actually did operate. This includes 1014.011 with Rail Cargo Austria lettering. Interestingly, ZTT largely kept the 1014s in their ÖBB era appearance, and were even permitted to retain the old style logo, called "Pflatsch". However, any of ÖBB's more recent trademarks - including the Rail Cargo Austria lettering on 1014.011 - did have to be removed, although the locomotive kept the basic livery which differed from that of the rest.