Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, lurked earlier but wasn't in the mood for typing.

 

A sunny start here, 7c, bit of a breeze, and the sound of a shotgun occasionally - farmer shooting wabbits probably.  Country life.  Almost a spring feel in the air again.  Oops, more bunny popping sounds.

 

Not sure what the day will ring, a trip to the tip recycling centre with grass cuttings (lawns grow all year here) and some other junk for the recycling scramble, then some grub shopping perhaps, and a walk as the hip and foot are currently not too bad.  Its all go.

 

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A little late on parade, again due to having stayed in bed longer than planned, but hey, I’m retired, so who cares, not ME! The weather is dull, grey and dry and the temperature is currently 4C. I’ll shortly be heading off to complete the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix, as the fresh food and milk etc is running out. After that there are no firm plans, so I might just potter about downstairs in the office after dinner! 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good moaning from the Charente.   The fire is being coaxed back into life but will probably be allowed to dievout by mid morning.  It is getting warm these days.  We might even have to cut the grass.  I got my 3rd set of water tank foundations dug and shuttered  yesterday. Today I need to buy some cement then get concrete mixing.  

 

I did get the text of talk that I have to give in April, finished, at least the first proper draft.  Now illustrations need sorting.

 

Ttfn.

 

Jamie

 

I have nice wax canyons if your interested Jamie ? Only thing is I'll need them back as I use them myself when trying to get some sense out of officials now a days.

[Winslow Boy]

7 hours ago, TheQ said:

But can you get out of it again without large amounts of Vaseline???

 

 

I need to know, I still have my wet suit hanging in the cupboard...

 

 

I'm shocked by such comments Q! Espically from a man of your esteemed years. What will the 'children think'?

 

You now realise I have a mental image of you lying on the floor like some beached walrus with the memsahib frantically tugging at  one of your legs in vain attempt to free you from the neoprene terror.

[New Haven Neil]

10 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

I'm shocked by such comments Q! Espically from a man of your esteemed years. What will the 'children think'?

 

You now realise I have a mental image of you lying on the floor like some beached walrus with the memsahib frantically tugging at  one of your legs in vain attempt to free you from the neoprene terror.

 

Can't unsee this mental image now.  bleah.

[PupCam]

4 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

 

Respecting professional competence is an essential aspect of life for the reasons you state. But scientists, engineers, doctors etc should be able to provide a comprehensible answer to a question, and where there is a divergence of opinion then that should be reflected in available information.

 

Probably the most obvious example is medical treatment recommendations. Few of us are doctors or surgeons, so we have to trust the professional competence of doctors. That does not mean we do not expect the doctor to explain the rationale for a recommended course or treatment or surgical procedure and if we have doubts we should never be afraid to ask for a second opinion. A competent professional should be able to explain something in a way which is comprehensible to a layperson. We may not have the math or underpinning knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology etc to have any illusions about our knowledge, but at a conceptual level it should make sense.

 

I am always minded of RJ Mitchell's words to test pilot Jeffrey Quill:

 

If anybody ever tells you anything about an aeroplane which is so bloody complicated you can't understand it, take it from me: it's all balls.

 

Another issue which is easily overlooked is to ask what is a consensus? That may seem obvious, but is it? There are fields of science in which there is actually very little experimental data and only a handful of papers, but there appears to be an overwhelming body of evidence in support because those experiments and papers have been used in hundreds of papers to promote the same conclusions.

 

A few years ago I was given a package of work by a government regulator to investigate a new technology based on a radically different theory of the behaviour of oil mists and their ignition. The idea was heretical as it challenged universally held assumptions, when I looked into it the experiments supporting the work were performed under controlled conditions and repeatable and the conventional wisdom was based on a single research project performed in the 1950's. I didn't opine whether either was right or wrong (that's not what I was paid to do) but did say that the apparent overwhelming consensus supporting the orthodox theory was questionable and that the revisionist theory could be supported by laboratory experiments and that the supporting analysis was sound. It was a minor issue over something few would ever have heard of, but some of the reaction to the idea of challenging such firmly accepted wisdom was vicious. Why the case is relevant to this discussion was that there was a demand to have the older work codified in regulatory instruments and for the alternative theory to basically be expunged from the record. Now again, whether either is right or wrong is less important in the context of this discussion than that the matter should have been considered as a scientific/engineering debate and not as a reactionary aversion to a new idea which then tried to use regulatory means to settle the dispute. For once I have to lift a hat to the government agency concerned, they kicked back and decided to do a full evaluation which ended up doing a kind of fence sit by accepting safety philosophies based on either concept as being equivalent (which I thought was perfectly sensible based on evidence).

 

All it takes is one dissenting voice to over turn accepted orthodoxy if that voice is right. Most such voices ultimately prove to be rather flawed, but that verdict should follow a robust process to test their hypotheses. 

 

What we have been seeing is suppressing of scientific discussion because counter views are considered dangerous. To be clear those counter views may indeed be unhelpful and ultimately wrong, but in most cases those telling us to listen to the science are not qualified to adjudicate complex scientific arguments. People should have the right to consider the arguments, if they decide to just accept orthodoxy then that's their right but it should not be for anyone to make that decision for us.

 

One question is why? The flat earth idea has been mentioned. Nobody bans proponents of a flat earth because there's no point. I've never considered the matter and so am certainly no expert, but I have never seen or read anything which leads me to believe that the proposition of the earth being flat really merits much thought. There are other debates where I am undecided on outcomes but consider that different ideas have merit.

 

I see it as a bit like the 'if you've got nothing to hide you've got nothing to be worried about' argument. If I ever hear that my instinctive reaction is to take an interest as it is probably a power grab. If people retreat into telling us to listen to the science and then try to control a debate then that's a huge red flag. It may be that the position being promoted is the most appropriate one, but I wouldn't arrive at that conclusion based on just accepting what we are told.

 

What an excellent post! 👍

 

Morning All

 

It's a lovely morning and it seems like a walk round the Swiss Gardens at Old Warden is in order.   

I'll keep my ear to the ground to see if I can learn anything about recent managerial changes in the trust. 🤔

 

Back later!
 

 

 

 

 

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, The Lurker said:

presume he was a hotel guest 

We were on holiday in Switzerland and the hotel website mentioned something about appropriate wear for the evening meal. I assumed this was something like smart casual. When we arrived the notice just said “No Swimwear”. 

[grandadbob]

A walk to obtain bread was done with some difficulty as The Hip is really playing up today.  Not quite a mile today but that's better than nowt.  In view of this no DIY tasks will be undertaken much to the disgust of herself but that's tough, there's always tomorrow.

I've decided to have a paperwork clearout instead so the shredder will probably overheat.  Muggatea first though.

[BoD]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

custom dictates no alcohol until the sun is over the yard arm?*

The sun is always over the yard arm somewhere in the world.  
Problem solved.

[BoD]

... and while we are talking about spoons standing up...

 

... this weekend's broth.

 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Going back to bed this morning seems to have done some good though the wunny dose is still there.

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Surely Phil, custom dictates no alcohol until the sun is over the yard arm?*

Unless you’re having your pint of grog -which I understand can be issued at any time of day.

Nothing alcoholic I'm afraid, just hot milk. I was rather dehydrated.

[iL Dottore]

12 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

…It covers most of anything underneath

For which, I suppose, we must be grateful…

12 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

One friend made mention on social media that "If it requires a bra or panties it's not going to happen today" when working from home with an outdoor temperature north of 40C.  I gathered she was probably under the air-conditioner starkers in company time and enjoying the fact.  

I am intrigued, Rick, by your eclectic mix of friends. My friends are far more staid. Must be something in Australia’s water supplies.
 

The more posts of yours I read, the more I am convinced that you are ER’s bona-fide “house” rapscallion 

[Danemouth]

Last night SWMBO and I watched the Railway Children sequel. Like many on here I loved the original Lionel Jefferies film so I was looking forward to it. Well it turned out to be a real disappointment 😒

 

Part of the film was shot in storage sidings somewhere which I doubt existed on the railway in those days. The "LMS" on the tender was clearly some sort of poster covering the normal logo. And the film pressed almost all the "woke" buttons.

 

So folks a one start rating and a film I shan;t watch again. I thought I would warn my fellow ERs

 

Dave

[Gwiwer]

17 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I am intrigued, Rick, by your eclectic mix of friends

Eclectic mix would certainly describe some of them. But why is that different to anyone else?  Not that I mind being the club rapscallion of course. 
 

What ever was in the water down under it was good stuff. That which came out of the taps was among the purest and most naturally-filtered piped water anywhere. The falling-down waters which were variously tinned, bottled, casked or served by means of gas pressure could cause some very interesting effects indeed. Not all of them socially acceptable. 
 

As I’m sure iD will confirm the combination of hot weather, ice-cold beer, alcohol build-up and (in many cases) superfluous bravado caused all manner of social problems. 
 

It also caused some harmless entertainment at times. From the drunken attempts at validating tickets / opening barriers by way of that well-known alcohol-induced hyper-affection for total strangers to the less than furtive (and usually unsuccessful) attempts at sharing body fluids, various. 
 

When the temperature falls no lower than 30C overnight the human body reacts in strange ways. Especially if fed alcohol in the misguided belief that it will cause cooling. 
 

 

[Gwiwer]

Welcome to Moan-day. Prefixed by a big fat “You’re” 

 

Holiday to Devon is cancelled. Our friends both have the dreaded two red lines today so there’s no chance of being ok by mid-week.  
 

A week Upon the Hill of Strawberries it is, then. 
 

Dr. SWMBO has taken herself off to the National Gallery this morning and instructed me that the house must be clean by the time she returns. I guess that’s my day spoken for. 
 

I’ll be back later. I’m just going to utter the name of that well-known location on the River Lea (or Lee) called Bow Locks. 

[iL Dottore]

Greetings, Minions, for it is I: Captain Cynical.

 

You may have been wondering (or not, as the case maybe) about my apparent absence from these pages for a number of weeks.

 

Rest assured, all is well with CCI GmbH, in fact it was down to business reasons that Captain Cynical has been so quiet as of late. The last few weeks have involved some very delicate negotiations with some charming Japanese gentlemen (who have the most interesting and colourful tattoos) and with some Sicilian gentlemen in a similar line of business. To make a long story short: I am pleased to announce that CCI GmbH Holdings (Cake Holdings), Pasticceria e Forneria Clandestino di Palermo and ペストリー、ケーキ、パイ (大阪) [Pesutorī, kēki, pai (Ōsaka)] will merge to form SWISSCAKE - based in Zug, Switzerland. CC will be travelling to Japan with iD in June to hold talks with the newly appointed SWISSCAKE (Asia) Managing Director - Mr Shirokuma**

 

Although SWISSCAKE will control 95% of the worlds LDC cake production, supplies, ingredients and finished articles, They remain committed to providing quality LDC at reasonable prices in to the UK market* Furthermore, SWISSCAKE would like to strongly refute the scurrilous rumour that “industrial quality LDC“ – as available in major UK supermarkets - will be increased in price by 700%. As an ethically aware and responsible supplier, SWISSCAKE will keep all LDC price increases to no more than 250%.

 

Captain Cynical

 

* Sales Director You reckon they’ll buy that Captain? CC: Probably, it’s worked so far

** look up the name

Edited February 13, 2023 by iL Dottore

[Tony_S]

4 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Although SWISSCAKE will control 95% of the worlds LDC cake production,

We have switched to Nigel Slater’s LTC recipe. It is amazing, even with much reduced sugar content. 

[New Haven Neil]

As a cake-free zone, I refuse to bow to the nefarious goings on over there in Yurup.  I've seen those balloons he's flying around the world trying to suck up all the ingredients for the cakes, so Donk-o-Zap is busy shooting the things down all over the world with his ray gun once more.

 

[polybear]

33 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Greetings, Minions, for it is I: Captain Cynical.

 

You may have been wondering (or not, as the case maybe) about my apparent absence from these pages for a number of weeks.

 

Rest assured, all is well with CCI GmbH, in fact it was down to business reasons that Captain Cynical has been so quiet as of late. The last few weeks have involved some very delicate negotiations with some charming Japanese gentlemen (who have the most interesting and colourful tattoos) and with some Sicilian gentlemen in a similar line of business. To make a long story short: I am pleased to announce that CCI GmbH Holdings (Cake Holdings), Pasticceria e Forneria Clandestino di Palermo and ペストリー、ケーキ、パイ (大阪) [Pesutorī, kēki, pai (Ōsaka)] will merge to form SWISSCAKE - based in Zug, Switzerland. CC will be travelling to Japan with iD in June to hold talks with the newly appointed SWISSCAKE (Asia) Managing Director - Mr Shirokuma**

 

Although SWISSCAKE will control 95% of the worlds LDC cake production, supplies, ingredients and finished articles, They remain committed to providing quality LDC at reasonable prices in to the UK market* Furthermore, SWISSCAKE would like to strongly refute the scurrilous rumour that “industrial quality LDC“ – as available in major UK supermarkets - will be increased in price by 700%. As an ethically aware and responsible supplier, SWISSCAKE will keep all LDC price increases to no more than 250%.

 

Captain Cynical

 

* Sales Director You reckon they’ll buy that Captain? CC: Probably, it’s worked so far

** look up the name

 

You've been smokin' those mushrooms again haven't you CC??

The Doc has warned you off them before.  Several times.

 

26 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

We have switched to Nigel Slater’s LTC recipe. It is amazing, even with much reduced sugar content. 

 

Lemon Treacle Cake?  You have this Bear's undivided attention - we need pictures.......

 

5 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

As a cake-free zone, I refuse to bow to the nefarious goings on over there in Yurup.  I've seen those balloons he's flying around the world trying to suck up all the ingredients for the cakes, so Donk-o-Zap is busy shooting the things down all over the world with his ray gun once more.

 

 

Is Donk suffering a Tail injury there?

 

In other news.....

Final prep of coving carried out, followed by the first coat of paint to the coving and plaster rose; the second coat will happen shortly.  I've a feeling that more will be required though - the filler has a habit of "bleeding thru'" the paint finish and appearing as a shadow, despite using Dulux Trade Paint.  Advance Turdycurses.

[DaveF]

A sunny frosty morning today, I had to let the car warm up before I could go anywhere - there was ice on the inside of the windscreen as well as the outside.

 

Yesterday involved the usual Sunday telephone calls and emails, everyone seems to be fit and well (or at least as fit and well as they ever are) which is good news.  Then I went to church and enjoyed the service.

 

After coffee I continued to sort through the next batch of books to be taken to the charity shop - there were just too many to be put in a charity bag which would be collected - plus there is then the issue of how much the charity actually receives.  In the end I filled two large plastic bags.  The good news is that all my books* are either on bookshelves or neatly stacked on top of bookshelves and no longer look too untidy.  *Except for a couple of dozen I can't remember reading before and need to glance through again which are at the side of the shelves on the landing.

 

During the afternoon I met one of the neighbours while I was tidying the front garden, like me she is a retired teacher but now has a business selling prams and other things to do with children.

After that I sorted out some photos to show at a m***l r*****y group meeting next Sunday.  I ended up with about 6 sets to choose from which I haven't shown them before, they are from talks given at other places.

 

In the evening I watched Vera, I didn't recognise most of the places, some of them were in the south of England - i.e. south of the Tyne.

 

David

Edited February 13, 2023 by DaveF

[Tony_S]

11 minutes ago, polybear said:

Lemon Treacle Cake?  You have this Bear's undivided attention - we need pictures.......

Lemon Thyme Cake. Sorry no pictures, I ate the last piece at tea time yesterday. I am sure there will be another though. My usual answer to “would you like a slice of cake?” is “no thank you”. But this was very nice. 
Found a photo. And the recipe. We have his book (well more than one of his books) 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lemon_and_thyme_cake_15394

 

Our lemon thyme wasn’t in flower but I don’t think that matters. Aditi reduced the sugar quantity which produced more of a lemon experience but we liked that. I don’t think our cake consumption is too excessive for our diabetes. We are both well into the pre diabetic levels now. I eat very little cake so it was nice to find one I really liked. 

[The White Rabbit]

17 hours ago, polybear said:

... Granny was born in a Tank?? ...

 

I had visions of an aircraft (bomber?) gun turret... so does that mean Bear is more grounded than I - or not as much of a high flyer?  

 

Nice to see Donk again, I was thinking it had been a while since we'd seen him. He may be busy with those balloons, we seem to have had one a day for the last three days. 

 

Back on the ground, we have the first of our yellow crocuses out. I've planted a few clumps in what I hoped would be suitable spots, this one is by the side and partly underneath a small lavender bush. One squirrel was spotted this morning on our peanut feeder, didn't stay for too long but just sampled a few while upside down - they taste better apparently - and then scampered off, down the tree and then 'inspected the estate' via the rocks and walls. Had a sip of water from a birdbath, then went to investigate the holly. First time I've seen one in the garden for a while. 

 

A little progress made earlier, two books sold earlier, so it's time to pack them. RM seem to be having a promotion atm on some services and with free collection. Though as per Bear's warning, if they lose these, I should be OK for stamps for a while. 

[Tony_S]

21 minutes ago, polybear said:

Is Donk suffering a Tail injury there?

Perhaps he had a  previous career as an Eeyore impersonator?

[woodenhead]

3 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

I'm shocked by such comments Q! Espically from a man of your esteemed years. What will the 'children think'?

 

You now realise I have a mental image of you lying on the floor like some beached walrus with the memsahib frantically tugging at  one of your legs in vain attempt to free you from the neoprene terror.

Just to help you along, here is the after picture once out of the suit

[Tony_S]

2 minutes ago, The White Rabbit said:

had visions of an aircraft (bomber?) gun turret... so does that mean Bear is more grounded than I - or not as much of a high flyer?  

I assume you have now seen the photo of the turret my Grandmother was born in. I suspect she never went in a tank or an aeroplane. I am not sure at what age my Gran and the rest of the family moved out from the “tied cottage “(Her father was some sort of senior warden)  at the prison. She was certainly old enough to be aware of what she called toppings happening. They had to keep a door locked while the body was moved past their accommodation. The prison chaplain asked if he could do the christening of my Dad as he said he didn’t get the opportunity that often. 
Tony