Early Risers.

[chrisf]

I am still trying to make sense of yesterday's visit to the VW dealership and subsequent trips to the bank.  I found that a bank transfer was much more complicated than simply writing and posting a cheque but no doubt it is the way of the future.  One thing I do remember is being warned by the young man in the bank that I am likely to receive one of those wretched missives from the bank's head office inquiring how satisfactory or otherwise was the service that I had received.  I can hardly wait.  The good news is that there is still a branch of the bank that one can attend.  For that I give thanks.

 

Todsy I expect to watch Prime Minister's Questions on TV.  Perhaps a better title would be "MPs Behaving Badly".

 

Chris

[monkeysarefun]

3 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I imagine the free mince/ground beef helps!

I just hope he remembers it when swooping season starts.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl

3 hours sleep, too hot, so down stairs to the sofa, about 4 hours broken sleep.

 

Our blackberries are not much beyond the green blob stage.

 

Not at work today, because of a long  booked dentists appointment, it was easier to swap my Friday off for a Wednesday off than any other way with this useless new works time keeping software.

Hopefully that's the last time I'll have to worry about that, for dentists anyway.

 

Except for emergencies I've now got all my leave I need sorted and approved. So there's 12 days left with luck that means my last day physically at work should be mid Dec.

 

Ben the I want out Collie has dragged me out, 100% blue skies, warm ish, heavy dew.

 

I had a similar problem when the bank refused to process a cheque on my bank account, I had to go in and use a bank transfer instead. I've come to the conclusion, that what banks want you to do is put plenty of money in then never access the account again.

 

Plans for today,

Dig up a compost heap, wheelbarrow it to some 4ft square raised beds.

Dig up the fire ash pile, wheelbarrow it to the foundations of the new shed as fill.

There's some concrete rubble , broken bricks etc that can also head to the shed foundations.

 

A good soak in the bath will be required before the dentist.

 

Time for a muggacoffee.

 

 

 

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

 

Back in the land of numbered bank accounts and cheese.

 

I managed to get to the airport in time – although it did mean cancelling my Tuesday plans so that I could leave for the airport early enough to make my flight. A wise decision it turned out to be, as due to the traffic caused by the railway strike what normally would have been a 45 minute ride turned into a 90 minute ride; and a £35 ride turned in to a £60 ride!

 

My flight, on Helvetic (a subsidiary of Swiss/Lufthansa) was rather unusual inasmuch as at Zürich airport we had to do a “go-around” due to windshear just as we were about to touch down (or so the pilot said). In 40 years of flying for both pleasure and business, I think that I must have experienced – at most – two “go arounds“, including yesterday’s.

 

I note that in @chrisf’s post he refers to “VW dealership” and “going to the bank” in the same post. Could it be that the honourable member from Bedford is looking at getting one of these https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/05/autos/vw-bus-auction/index.html or one of these https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-ultra-luxury-volkswagen-youve-never-heard-of/? Come to think of it, I can actually imagine Chris driving a VW microbus, although the Kaftan, hippy beads and long hair are probably an optional extra. If nothing else, you could get an awful lot of model railway layout into a VW microbus.

 

One final note: taking the train from Zürich airport to Olten (for my connection onwards) I boarded a brand-new SBB RABe 502, (the TWINDEXX Swiss Express). And much like a car fresh from the factory which has that unique “new car smell“ so the RABe 502 had a “new train smell” – something I have never ever encountered before (has anyone else?).

 

Off now to work and with two days of catch up to get through I will be a busy little beaver.

 

Happy Hump Day

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Sunny again this morning. Great!

 

Our goosegogs and black currants are coming along well. The rhubarb hasn't been good this year, spuds are growing well. 

 

After shark wielding/deep house cleaning today we are preparing for a visitor then I amoff to see a real, live, GP at the Marie Celeste. This has taken 7 months since they received a letter from a consultant,6 months since my diabetic review and one month from another letter from a different consultant. I ambling seen by a "training partner" who saw my wife post her operation, she was not impressed...hopefully I will be. 

 

My observations on the NHS come from personal experience, relatives and friends who have worked/ still work in the NHS.  The people at the pointy end have worked very hard some others have managed to get an easier lifestyle.

 

Time to drink my mugatea and wield the shark

Stay safe!

 

Baz

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a rather wet Charente where the water butts are filling up nicely.  I envy Flavio's ride in a Twindex.  They are very nice and the route to Olten is good as well.  

 

Here a lot of small jobs got done yesterday. I even managed to fix a couple of tricky flyscreens.  However a leaking inlet valve on a WC defeated me.  I will be shopping for one today.  However  the pain will be dulled by heading to the trainspotting DIY store.  One guess as to which activity will take longer.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

Edited June 22, 2022 by jamie92208

[southern42]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

Snip....

 

I had a similar problem when the bank refused to process a cheque on my bank account, I had to go in and use a bank transfer instead. I've come to the conclusion, that what banks want you to do is put plenty of money in then never access the account again.

 

Plans for today,

Dig up a compost heap, wheelbarrow it to some 4ft square raised beds.

Dig up the fire ash pile, wheelbarrow it to the foundations of the new shed as fill.

There's some concrete rubble , broken bricks etc that can also head to the shed foundations.

 

A good soak in the bath will be required before the dentist.

 

Time for a muggacoffee.

 

 

 

 

I came to the conclusion there is a counter attack out there - the RM market wants you to put plenty of money in their coffers. I had a bit of a spend in that direction last month, anyway, and they are still enticing me with announcements, pre-orders, and such like. In out in out shake it all about - the remaining pennies in the piggy bank, perhaps.

 

On that enlightening note, ' morning all from red dragon land.

Sunny. Blue skies. Eyes watering...

I may go out...I may not.  I will let you know...

and catch up on the last few pages, later.

 

Enjoy the day where possible.

 

Polly

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by southern42

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a dry with sunny periods rock , 17c and still, miracles!

 

No NHS/Consultant rant from me this morning, I got it out of my system last night.  The GP however.....the practice has gone from good to appalling, with no signs of recovery.  The loss of two senior partners seems to have been the catalyst, one retired, the other, my GP, went into politics.  New GP is....umm.....not what we hoped.  Leaving it there.

 

A trip to the sunny delights of Peel beckons, some steam loco ;arts to drop off and a book to return.

[Barry O]

I feel that an outbreak of drivelling is in the offing... nothing like a bit of drivelto set the world to rights......

 

Baz

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Blue sky and sunshine again. Currently 16  18°C but possibly getting as high as 28°C so today I will be staying mainly in the shade except for a walk after breakfast.

Although I'm isolating I am actually allowed out for some exercise as long as I avoid other people so a brief stroll round our little local recreation ground will be attempted.  I might even go for two laps if it's not too hot. There's never many people there on a weekday apart from the occasional dog walker.

One or two minor domestic tasks need doing including Shark wielding and I've also got some shredding to do.  (Paper,  not guitar).  Hopefully after my op I may even be able to pick up my guitars again and get some semblance of a tune out although it's been so long that I've probably forgotten everything in my sparse repertoire.

Sounds like Herself is on the way down so "getting a move on" will soon be the order of the day.

Have a good one and keep cool,

Bob.

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by grandadbob
Temp already increased since I started post!

[AndrewC]

Greetings all from the boring borough. 

 

Condolences to Dave and his family. I'll just say I know what you are going through. When my dad died it was all in the same week as his birthday and Father's day. Pretty schitty timing. 

 

Half way through my week already. Today I shall mostly be watching my work laptop "upgrade" <cough> to Windows 11. At the present rate that will cover my morning pretty much. 

Some early plans being hatched for a few days camping next month. We shall see. I could actually use some down time. I'll be spending a lot of time over the next 10 days or so cleaning, moving crap around, and preparing a lot of BBQ. I'm doing a Canada Day bbq for friends next Friday. (Caesars, poutine, Montreal smoked meat, Alberta brisket, and some Canadian beers) Then on the weekend we have visitors staying with us for 3 days. 

 

Latte at the ready. Time to pretend to work. 

Enjoy the day

[Winslow Boy]

I'm not at all surprised by how Ricks blackberries are more advanced than most others. London is always warmer, by as much as 3 degrees I beleive, due to the heat island effect. We used to notice it when we were planting up the seasonal borders in parks and open spaces. It used to get done at the end of May for us whereas surrounding boroughs waiting till the beginning of June. In addition we could grow things that were less hardy outside. I've noticed it here in the north with plants flowering much earlier. I suppose its a trend g that is only going to continue.

 

Busy day today what DD morning constitutional and then grass cutting oh WO is me. Rember if out wear a hat and plenty of sun tan cream.

 

Will be back later, unless I've melted so to quote Guide - so long and thanks for all the fish.

[southern42]

53 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Good morning all,

Blue sky and sunshine again. Currently 16  18°C but possibly getting as high as 28°C so today I will be staying mainly in the shade except for a walk after breakfast.

Although I'm isolating I am actually allowed out for some exercise as long as I avoid other people so a brief stroll round our little local recreation ground will be attempted.  I might even go for two laps if it's not too hot. There's never many people there on a weekday apart from the occasional dog walker.

One or two minor domestic tasks need doing including Shark wielding and I've also got some shredding to do.  (Paper,  not guitar).  Hopefully after my op I may even be able to pick up my guitars again and get some semblance of a tune out although it's been so long that I've probably forgotten everything in my sparse repertoire.

Sounds like Herself is on the way down so "getting a move on" will soon be the order of the day.

Have a good one and keep cool,

Bob.

 

 

 

Simply a suggestion, here, Bob.  Just pick up one guitar. Then play something short and simple, a little and often. Say once or twice a day to start with. Don't worry what it sounds like at first, it will get better in time.

 

Play 1 or 2 times.  Put guitar away. 

Next time: 2 times, then (optional) 1 time.

Gradually (depending on recovery) work up to 4 + 2 + 1 times.

Think quality rather than quantity.

Repeat little phrases, bars, rather than the whole thing where needed.

Play slower than you might want to play.

Enjoy making something sound good, no matter how little that is to start with, and make that one thing better still.

 

Here speaks someone playing with a screw attached to the elbow!

The 4 + 2 + 1 (8 + 4 + 2 + 1) times I learnt from the online flute course. It is something that has helped me play and progress in ways I could not imagine

 

But as I said, it is only a suggestion but if it any of it helps...but most of all - do not over do it!😀

 

Polly

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by southern42
word missing!

[Dave Hunt]

Another beautiful sunny day in North Hipposhire but alas, I will be spending most of it indoors sorting through the vast mountain of assorted unsorted  paperwork that I have found in Dad's bureau as well as visiting banks, care homes etc. However, we have plans for a large G&T each on the patio this evening so it can't be all bad. Roll on evening!

 

Dave

[iL Dottore]

12 minutes ago, southern42 said:

 

Simply a suggestion, here, Bob.  Just pick up one guitar. Then play something short and simple, a little and often. Say once or twice a day to start with. Don't worry what it sounds like at first, it will get better in time.

 

Play 1 or 2 times.  Put guitar away. 

Next time: 2 times, then (optional) 1 time.

Gradually (depending on recovery) work up to 4 + 2 + 1 times.

Think quality rather than quantity.

Repeat little phrases, bars, rather than the whole thing where needed.

Play slower than you might want to play.

Enjoy making something sound good, no matter how little that is to start with, and make that one thing better still.

 

Here speaks someone playing with a screw attached to the elbow!

The 4 + 2 + 1 (8 + 4 + 2 + 1) times I learnt from the online flute course. It is something that has helped me play and progress in ways I could not imagine

 

But as I said, it is only a suggestion but if it any of it helps...but most of all - do not over do it!😀

 

Polly

 

 

 

Great tips, Polly. I too suffer from both ennui and rountuits when it comes to playing guitar.

 

As I have quite a collection of guitars to choose from - would you recommend that I choose a guitar at random when I want to play or settle on one of my favourites (which may be easier said than done as my favourite guitar varies according to the mood I'm in - currently it's the Les Paul and the Telecaster...)

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Another bright and sunny start to the day here in England’s northwest corner, but there is a slight breeze making the leaves move about quite a bit. I’ve decided to have an easy day today, I shall do a bit of work on the computer, editing the wiring schedules and then head off to the workshop, as I think I’ve earned a little respite from working in the cellar. 

 

Bak later. 

 

Brian

[The Lurker]

13 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

just looked that up - cetirizine.  I tried that, loratidine works better for me, but still not that great. :-(

Elder Lurker uses loratidine; when he was little we found piriton brought him out in a rash!

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The gardener will be coming round in about an hour or so to give an estimate for cutting the lawn weed patch. First of all I will have to remove the fox cubs 'toys' scattered about the garden as well as tidy up the things that they pulled about.

4 hours ago, TheQ said:

Our blackberries are not much beyond the green blob stage.

Interestingly the blackberries/brambles in the councils corner plot are very slightly beyond the green blob stage although the corner is exposed they have the shelter of the shrubbery. The brambles at the bottom of next doors garden are slightly more advanced being sheltered in the foot wide gap between two fences. There is a 'hot spot' in my back garden, a six foot high south facing brick wall that anything growing there will be two to three weeks ahead of anything else. That is where I'm going to put the 'bug hotel' together with some wildflowers in the planter at the foot of the wall for the pollinators.

 https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/superbloom/limited-release-superbloom-seed-mix-yellow-orange-and-red-flowers.html

Edited June 22, 2022 by PhilJ W

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where I am WFH. Not attempting to use the half hourly service on the Dartford loop, which was also running yesterday.

 

Elder Lurker is still off sick, most unlike him. I think that this has hit hi far harder than covid did. Those that know say that now he is working with a child in reception he is likely to get many nasties .

 

The blackberries in foots cray meadow and upper college farm which I walked past yesterday are not nearly advanced as Rick's - they are mainly flowers with a few turning to green berries. I did wonder if Rick's berries were loganberries as they tend to ripen earlier (or at least they did in our back garden when I was a kid).

 

EDIT - looking back at the photo again, they are clearly not loganberries, the ripe ones are far too dark

Edited June 22, 2022 by The Lurker

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, southern42 said:

Then play something short and simple

But not "Smoke On The Water"

[grandadbob]

Bobby has been walkies but had to give up before a mile was covered as The Hip went into full on complaint mode.  Now sat down with a muggacoffee and Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are being deployed.  (The Neck is still a bit stiff too but so far The Knee is OK......oops, perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned that)

Shark wielding has been postponed today so that leaves me some shredding to do and then I'll have to find something else to while away the day.

[chrisf]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I note that in @chrisf’s post he refers to “VW dealership” and “going to the bank” in the same post. Could it be that the honourable member from Bedford is looking at getting one of these https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/05/autos/vw-bus-auction/index.html or one of these https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-ultra-luxury-volkswagen-youve-never-heard-of/? Come to think of it, I can actually imagine Chris driving a VW microbus, although the Kaftan, hippy beads and long hair are probably an optional extra. If nothing else, you could get an awful lot of model railway layout into a VW microbus.

Absolutely not, though I must compliment the honourable member from Basel on his vivid imagination!  For the foreseeable future a VW Polo will be adequate for transporting me and possibly a modest quantity of unspecified freight.  A larger vehicle would be much more difficult to park given the pressure on spaces near my house.

 

Chris 

[PhilJ W]

21 minutes ago, The Lurker said:

The blackberries in foots cray meadow and upper college farm which I walked past yesterday are not nearly advanced as Rick's - they are mainly flowers with a few turning to green berries. I did wonder if Rick's berries were loganberries as they tend to ripen earlier (or at least they did in our back garden when I was a kid).

 

EDIT - looking back at the photo again, they are clearly not loganberries, the ripe ones are far too dark

When I lived at Burnham-on-Crouch there was a bit of waste ground at the bottom of the garden that was full of loganberries and raspberries. It had once been part of the garden leading down to a lane/access road. Garages had been built onto the lane but did not occupy all of the ground.

[The Lurker]

22 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

When I lived at Burnham-on-Crouch there was a bit of waste ground at the bottom of the garden that was full of loganberries and raspberries. It had once been part of the garden leading down to a lane/access road. Garages had been built onto the lane but did not occupy all of the ground.

That reminds me of walking the trackbed of the former Northampton - Market Harborough line which I did on a couple of occasions when I lived in the former. Near one of the stations, there were some wonderful raspberries growing. There were no nearby houses and I fondly imagined that they had grown in the stationmaster's garden. No idea if that's true of course but I can say they were delicious!

[DaveF]

 

Tuesday morning started with an Asda delivery at 7.45, some fifteen minutes early which suits me fine.  I was at the flat by 8 and packed all the crockery, glassware and ovenware I don't need into labelled plastic boxes ready for the flat clearance in due course.  I did manage to find one wine glass I had missed before, so that has come home!  Next I had a look at a cupboard which I had only half emptied, most of the stuff can be cleared but I did find a door curtain which will be useful as a spare.

 

Then it was time to do something about the garage.  The car was soon filled with junk, including a surprising amount of electrical stuff - DVD player, razor, indoor fountain and so on.  Fortunately the tip will take just about anything as long as you check which skip to put it in. Again the tip was quiet so it was easy.  I came across a silver plate tea and coffee service in the garage - I will have to decide what to with it, it is probably just about worthless in monetary terms.  I think I will bring it home, clean it and have a think.

 

Later in the day I wrote to Mum's GP to thank her and the other staff at the practice as they were always very helpful when she rang them  She could almost always have a home visit or phone conversation the same day and after about 9.30 a.m. the phone would be answered by a receptionist on the second or third ring.

 

I spent some more time gardening and planted out forty spray chrysanthemums, they are a bit closer together than usual as I thought I had ordered thirty  but one of the collections was buy one get one free.  They should have gone out earlier but other things got in the way.  They got a very good soak with the hose as the soil is very dry, some of the soil is not very good so I added som compost I had handy, I may put a layer on top as well to try to keep the moisture in.

 

Then it was time to be back indoors and draft a letter to Mum's friends to inform them of the death - I'll start by sending them to people on her Christmas card list.

 

Lastly I rang the solicitor to check if it is OK to put the flat on the market - it is.  I was then told they were just posting a letter for me to sign to apply for probate, they sent me an email of it a few minutes later so I could proof read it.  They have done the necessary work for me to legally act as executor by getting a deed of revocation from the retired lady who would have done it as a second executor after the death of the original solicitor.

 

All in all a good day.

 

David

Edited June 22, 2022 by DaveF