Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

36 minutes ago, polybear said:

ability for Solicitors to ask either the NHS, Gov. Pensions or HMRC where a person is? 

They used to advertise in newspapers asking for information about the whereabouts of possible beneficiaries. My Grandmother’s first husband had been declared missing believed dead in WW1. She had to wait 7 years for him to be declared legally dead. However it turned out he wasn’t. He had deserted and gone to Canada. On his death he had left a small amount of money to the two children he had abandoned. An aunt saw an advert asking about her step brother and step sister in the local evening paper. She told them and all was revealed. 
When Matthew died in Ireland I was supposed to contact the British Embassy in Dublin but they rang me. They had been contacted by the University and the police.  They were all really kind and helpful. 
 

[DaveF]

A dull day here on the coast though not really cold, about 8C but still with a wind.  It's a thick sweater, coat, hat and gloves day outdoors again.

 

Yesterday I made my visit to church as every Thursday to act as server for the midweek communion service which was followed by the usual coffee and natter.  Afterwards I went for a walk around the park and went in the clockwise direction for a change which gives slightly different views for photography.  I haven't sorted out the photos yet, if any are good I may post them later.

 

As my digestive system seems to be working a lot better now I decided to risk bacon and eggs for lunch, so far there are no ill effects - but I have to wait 48 hours to be certain as the food gets digested....

 

You already know about my afternoon of phone calls, while I was hold each time I did some more sorting out of books to make space for things which need to come down from the loft.  Usefully a charity bag came through the door which says they will accept books which will save a trip into town.

 

Then the evening was an enjoyable mix of TV, radio and book.

 

David

[iL Dottore]

47 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

invitation to this has just come up on the ads

 

https://www.buildabear.co.uk/

I wonder if they sell spare parts so you can upgrade or improve your existing bear?

 

Am I the only one to think that @polybear would look quite fetching with “go faster“ stripes?

[polybear]

48 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

invitation to this has just come up on the ads

 

https://www.buildabear.co.uk/

 

Bear is particularly interested in the "personalised record your own message" voice option....now let's see....

 

"Rattin' Piggin' Turdycurses"

 

or perhaps.....

 

"iDeeeeeeee......hurry it up with the oven chips....."

 

 

 

 

 

[Tony_S]

55 minutes ago, polybear said:

Bear is particularly interested i

Matthew used to go to Games Workshop at the Lakeside Shopping Centre to play table top wargames. As well as the opportunity to play against others they had painting and scenery workshops. The chaps at Games Workshop used to try and get a few beary off cuts from the nearby Build a Bear workshop, for thatching a roof on some cottage for Orcs to attack. I wondered how Matthew coped. A few years before he hadn’t been old enough to play at the shop but had subscribed to the appropriate magazine. There was an article about thatching model cottages with teddy bear fur, so I got some. Matthew then said he would rather not use it. I said it was some form of polyester, it wasn’t from dead bears but he was adamant. I still have it, unused.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

Am I the only one to think that @polybear would look quite fetching with “go faster“ stripes?

I suspect he looks more like a Care Bear really!

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,..

Just how does a pair of bearings that previously slipped over the rudder shaft neatly,  I have no other bearings of that type, lose 2mm in diameter?   I have no other bearings of that type, They were 32mm ID, they did fit over the rudder shaft before, now they measured 30mm ID while the shaft remains at 32mm. Both have been tried at room temperature and at outside just above freezing. Both did not change with temperature changes..

 

Anyway I've now had both bearings on the wood lathe, cos that's what got.

Luckily bronze bearings are much softer than a steel, so I was able to cut away the 1mm all round with lathe wood tools. Once close to the correct diameter it was work my way down from 60 grit paper, to 600 grit. They now fit on the shaft and that's where they will remain till tomorrow. 

 

Note, Bronze and stainless steel don't like each other, the bronze gets eaten away. But even the bottom bearing is above the waterline when she is parked up.  I'll also fill the free space between the bearings with Aquagreese, this should slowly work its way down the shaft to be between the bearing and shaft.

 

While waiting for various temperature changes to the culprits above, the antifouling was second coated, and some small areas of the hull rubbed down and given another coat.

 

SWMBO took Ben for his long walk, he cut it short again... He's now asleep lying alongside me on the sofa.

[DaveF]

 

2 photos from the park yesterday showing winter trees.  Bear in mind that the park is just outside the harbour area so it gets the full force of the salt laden winter gales. The trees do remarkably well.

 

 

Ridley Park WinterTrees 1

 

Ridley Park Winter Trees 2

 

David

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon awl,

 

Feeling somewhat grumpy this week. I'm still waiting for key telephone calls, despite some chasing. While waiting, I've been going through various cupboards. One way or another, they will need clearing sometime in the next year or two, so while I'm not doing much, I thought I'd have a look. The bin is now full and there's a bag for a charity shop in the hall. And some things to either sell or offer on 'free to a good home'. It feels like I've barely scratched the surface! 

 

It's certainly chilly today, with a lazy and chilly wind. A brief walk was had earlier, said hello to one dog and his man and came back after quarter of a mile. It felt colder than when there's been snow on the ground but maybe that's just me. The crocuses have started flowering though, with various colours accompanying the snowdrops. We have a clump under the holly and they are now showing some lilac. No yellows yet but there are some in other people's gardens where there are sheltered corners. 

 

Some old photos from 20+ years ago have been scanned and will make their appearance soon. Round 94 (A) of the 'sort-out'/tidy up revealed a terrifying quantity of photos, both in prints and electronic form. If I get positive news, I'll make a start on going through them, but one thing at a time. I have actually cleared some space in the study/office; it feels unnatural. 

 

Meet Musical Bear... 

 

[New Haven Neil]

A'noon.

 

We came, we went, we far....no, we just had brunch and a ride to Laxey for coffee.  It's rather breezy and fresh, but it was good to get out. Only 5 of us today riding, some others brought a note.  It was....bracing.

 

 

Then home, a run to the tip recycling centre, where it was blocked with folk rummaging through the 'free to grab then flog at car boot' section, abandoning cars in the way of those trying to get to the skips with garden waste.  The operatives were chasing folk right left and centre.  They were short handed, they normally have a gate guardian marshalling the time wasters to one side allowing the genuine users to get through.  It's a right bun fight at times, with folk nebbing into your car to see what you have, you can lose stuff you want to keep if you're not sharp.  Turn your back and your tool kit has gone from your boot.  Yes, a rant!

[polybear]

2 hours ago, DaveF said:

.........while I was hold each time I did some more sorting out of books to make space for things which need to come down from the loft.  Usefully a charity bag came through the door which says they will accept books which will save a trip into town.

 

 

IIRC many of those bags are delivered and collected by Companies that sell them & the contents to Charities - so if you are able to deliver direct to the Charity it saves them money.

[45156]

Just a quick call in to belatedly offer condolences to Phil on your loss - may your brother rest in peace

Edited February 10, 2023 by 45156

[Ian Abel]

POETS

 

Yesterday a success it seems!

Insulation contractor very knowledgeable and had good suggestions/ideas etc. We'll see how much damage it really is when we get the estimate. 🤯

 

Memorial service very heart-warming and the family appreciated our performance in helping celebrate of the lady's life. 

Long rehearsal followed as we're preparing for a supporting role backing the Black History Month concert next Sunday 19., plus gearing up for Ash Wednesday.

 

Today, hopefully peaceful from the client perspective and I can POE, always helps with the start of the weekend.

 

Weekend, zero plans. Whiteny return (she left last evening) Saturday as Jemma is off again flying around the planet. I'm surea to-do list will magically appear as I have designes on the free time for some hobby activities!

 

Somewhat cold again here, -12c first thing and sunny, only going to make -1c for the high apparently. May be a few degrees warmer over the weekend, here's hoping.

 

Carry on.

[PeterBB]

1 hour ago, The White Rabbit said:

 

Meet Musical Bear... 

 

Thanks for the reminder.  In the days when I taught first aid to children and trainer child carers I had two similar bears that had 10 seconds worth of 'breathing sounds' perfect for them to check for breathing before then going on to  the mannequins.  It was great fun.  Subsequently the Red Cross provided excellent age-related courses for schools use.

Edited February 10, 2023 by PeterBB

[PeterBB]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

IIRC many of those bags are delivered and collected by Companies that sell them & the contents to Charities - so if you are able to deliver direct to the Charity it saves them money.

Their bags may state that they donated x£s amount to charity  ... but what happens/happenned  after that guaranteed set amount was given?  Totally agree with @polybear comment.

[iL Dottore]

4 hours ago, polybear said:

or perhaps.....

 

"iDeeeeeeee......hurry it up with the oven chips....."

I doubt that you’d be willing OR able to afford my fees - even for a low rent job like chucking frozen oven chips into a hot air fryer.

 

Still, it could be an amusing exercise to see what The Bear would swallow, in this case literally….

 

Lemme think….. GOT IT! Special bear style pizzas and pasta:

 

Beans on Toast Pizza with fried potatoes and cheese (a pizza strewn with toast fingers, upon which a tin of baked beans is upended, covered with oven fries and smothered with grated “pizza cheese” and finished off under a blazing hot Grill)

 

Spaghetti alla Beanonrara (spaghetti tossed with eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, cream and cheese, served with oven potato wedges)

 

Lasagna Alle Patate (layers of lasagna sheets, fried potatoes and onions, tinned tomatoes, béchamel sauce ending with a layer of pasta covered with baked beans liberally mixed with grated generic cheese and baked in an oven).

 

With a large slice of industrial LDC (guaranteed no natural flavourings) in each case to finish off the meal.

 

Oh and a large Diet Coke - gotta watch the calories…

[polybear]

11 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I doubt that you’d be willing OR able to afford my fees - even for a low rent job like chucking frozen oven chips into a hot air fryer.

 

Still, it could be an amusing exercise to see what The Bear would swallow, in this case literally….

 

Lemme think….. GOT IT! Special bear style pizzas and pasta:

 

Beans on Toast Pizza with fried potatoes and cheese (a pizza strewn with toast fingers, upon which a tin of baked beans is upended, covered with oven fries and smothered with grated “pizza cheese” and finished off under a blazing hot Grill)

 

Spaghetti alla Beanonrara (spaghetti tossed with eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, cream and cheese, served with oven potato wedges)

 

Lasagna Alle Patate (layers of lasagna sheets, fried potatoes and onions, tinned tomatoes, béchamel sauce ending with a layer of pasta covered with baked beans liberally mixed with grated generic cheese and baked in an oven).

 

With a large slice of industrial LDC (guaranteed no natural flavourings) in each case to finish off the meal.

 

Oh and a large Diet Coke - gotta watch the calories…

 

Perfect.  Book Bear a Table.....

 

 

[Danemouth]

7 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Perfect.  Book Bear a Table.....

 

 

 

Would sir like a large glass of flat Cola to wash that lot down?

 

Dave

Edited February 10, 2023 by Danemouth

[polybear]

4 minutes ago, Danemouth said:

 

Would sir like a large glass of flat Cola to wash that lot down?

 

Dave

 

Ice.  Slice.  No umbrella......

 

[polybear]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

There are quite a few roads round here and some flyovers in east London with the no horse and cart symbol. Parts of the A127 do,seem to have been used for trotting races or practice on occasions.  

 

Bear has come across such a race taking place on the A414 just outside Hatfield one Saturday morning; the Gip....er, Travellers simply blocked both lanes of the Dual Carriageway into Hatfield with Horse Boxes, unloaded the Gee Gee's and Carts and proceeded to race.  As there was probably 100+ of them all watching & no doubt betting on the outcome I very much doubt the local Plod would've tried to intervene.....

[pH]

38 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Beans on Toast Pizza with fried potatoes and cheese (a pizza strewn with toast fingers, upon which a tin of baked beans is upended, covered with oven fries and smothered with grated “pizza cheese” and finished off under a blazing hot Grill)

 

Spaghetti alla Beanonrara (spaghetti tossed with eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, cream and cheese, served with oven potato wedges)

 

Lasagna Alle Patate (layers of lasagna sheets, fried potatoes and onions, tinned tomatoes, béchamel sauce ending with a layer of pasta covered with baked beans liberally mixed with grated generic cheese and baked in an oven).

 

Sounds like a great start for a line of ‘ready to nuke’ meals! When do you plan to introduce them? And what’s the proposed brand name?

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each,

Not a bad day today and all that needed doing was done. 

Some paint was applied so that was OK and has been passed by Management.  It has left me with Much Aching in The Knees though,

Pharmacy chased and apologies received for delay, they had a bit of a staffing problem due to two bereavements but my pills were delivered this afternoon.

The wine was delivered by my regular friendly Eastern European Yodel driver so the "wine cellar" doesn't look so empty.

A light meal was accompanied by just one glass of Black Stump Premium Durif.  I really fancied another but have resisted it....so far.

There is one rugby match on TV tonight which I will record and watch later as The Boss will be watching some sort of soap.

Time to listen to some music. 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by grandadbob

[Tony_S]

26 minutes ago, pH said:

Sounds like a great start for a line of ‘ready to nuke’ meals! When do you plan to introduce them? And what’s the proposed brand name?

I think the beans on toast pizza or similar (as the car hire firms say) was available a few years ago. 

[The White Rabbit]

41 minutes ago, pH said:

Sounds like a great start for a line of ‘ready to nuke’ meals! When do you plan to introduce them? And what’s the proposed brand name?

 

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. After shopping at Tess Coes this afternoon Arthur Itis started up so I took a couple of pills and had a lay down on the bed that turned into a couple of hours eyelid inspection. Now to prepare dinner, liver, bacon and mash with onion gravy of course.