Early Risers.

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, BoD said:

Ooh. We are back.
It’s been a while since something like that happened.

 

 

I think Jamie needs to get his return key unstuck.

Thanks Warren.   Now on my laptop and the return key isn't stuck.   It's some dratted combination of a new Tablet, a Galaxy A8 and the forum software not liking each other.  No problem on any other site but on this site it goes haywire.   I've just spent 10 minutes getting rid of the excess blank lines via the laptop.

 

Jamie, wanting to throw the tablet through the window again.

[polybear]

14 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Essex County Council have just finished another round of the Solar Together scheme which offered substantial savings. We joined in last years scheme. Just under £10000 for south and west facing roof panels, hybrid inverter and 7.2kWh of battery storage. Not forgetting the pigeon proofing  either!

 

Bear received a call this morning from a Solar Panel Company....

"Would I be right in saying you're the home owner?"

"Nope, the local Council"

It's amazing how quickly those four words make them lose interest....

I've had a couple of calls in recent weeks from a Window Company - I don't bother even speaking and just hang up.  These nuisance calls seem to be a new thing - I've never had issues for years after registering to block such calls with the Telephone Preference Service.

 

14 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land.

The price of the solar panels includes installation and surveying the roof. Installation requires the use of scaffolding (not cheap) and I opted for battery storage. There is enough room on the roof for eight panels of 400 watts each giving 3.2 KW . backed up with a 4.2 kWh battery that can also be topped up at off peak rates. They have estimated that I will have an excess of energy over my usage, 

The system we have designed for you will generate ~ 3110.4 kWh per annum.

Assuming you use 67% of the energy generated, in the first year alone you will save £729.39 on electricity and make £56.45 from exporting energy

 

So a fifteen year payback period, based on those figures.  Do they give info on Panel Life, Battery Life and maintenance costs during that period?

 

13 hours ago, Barry O said:

We await our survey but 9 panels plus batteries will be less than £2k!

 

Baz

 

Sounds suspiciously cheap to this Bear, unless there's a very big fat Gov. handout to cover a very large wedge of the cost.  The scaffolding charge alone would see off a third of that for Bear Towers, based on when Bear had the house roof stripped & re-felted recently; fortunately the NNN picked up the tab for that bit cos' they had a leaky roof (lead flashing) which required the scaffolding across part of Bear Towers.

[Erichill16]

Afternoon, 

Awol for a bit must offer condolences to The Q and family.

ttfn

Robert

 

[DaveF]

I noticed RMWeb was nowhere to be seen early this morning but was going out so have only just looked again now I am home and cooking lunch.  It's a lovely sunny mild day but with a very strong to gale force wind.

 

Yesterday Morrisons delivered the groceries on time then there was a pause while I did odd jobs before a man came from Plumbs to give me a quote for new covers on my sofa.  It was all quite easy, they had a suitable fabric in a colour I like (a soft pale green) which will be a change from the original colour and design which was a background similar to abiscuit with chrysanthemums - it actually looked better than it sounds.  The covers are fexible so will fit well - the sofa is by a local manufacturer so isn't quite the usual mass produced shape, the slightly flexible fabric fits them well - I know a number of friends who have had them done.  The price was £50 less than I expected so I am having it done, it took about an hour to get it measured up, they should come in about a month.

 

The orignal sofa material did well, it has lated 18 years and hasn't faded or worn much, it was just time for a change and I didn't want to buy a new sofa.

 

Next I sowed my tomato seeds and sweet pea seeds in pots and trays which are now on the kitchen window sill to germinate.

 

After lunch I went to the harbour and parked in their little car park near the south harbour and had a walk along the beach.  It was high tide so I had to walk on the soft dry sand which is quite hard work.  Then there was a heavy shower so I turned round, walked back to the car and came home to dry out.

 

Back at home I sorted out more photos, had tea and then watched an old film, then the French Maigret and read.

 

David

Edited March 22, 2023 by DaveF

[The Lurker]

5 minutes ago, DaveF said:

I noticed RMWeb was nowhere to be seen early this morning but was going out so have only just looked again now I am home and cooking lunch.  It's a lovely sunny mild day but with a very strong to gale force wind.

 

 

I think AndyY took it down because he knew I was very busy at work and it would only distract me....

[Tony_S]

32 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

So a fifteen year payback period, based on those figures.  Do they give info on Panel Life, Battery Life and maintenance costs during that period?

 

We weren’t too bothered about payback time for our solar installation. We put it in the same category as things like cars, holidays and meals out where the payback time isn’t really an issue.  We hadn’t been on holiday for a few years and the money was available, interest rates for savings were laughable and we liked the idea of reducing our electricity bills. It seems no maintenance is required. Even after a year our panels must be about the only surface not covered in bird poo as well , unlike my car.  Having bird protection installed is preventative maintenance, pigeons love roosting under the panels. Panel life guarantees depend on whether you get the cheap ones or ones with a brand name. Aditi’s brother’s inverter packed in after 11 years but the newer ones are allegedly better. Batteries have I think an 8 year warranty but allegedly they last longer. Replacing them is fairly simple, they are in a 19” rack mount.  And of course there is the entertainment value, Aditi loves planning her electrical energy use with the weather forecast. No sudoku or Wordle for her, just the weather apps and the Solis inverter app.

Tony

Edited March 22, 2023 by Tony_S

[polybear]

Bear here....

Washing done.  Tick

(Bear's Tip of the Day:  Such Technology tends to work best when you push the Start Button.....)

Lines on the walls drawn.  Tick.

(Bear's Tip of the Day:  Such lines work best when put in the right place the first time.....)

Pizza scoffed.  Big Tick.

 

In other news.....

I see the residents of Puppershire ( @PupCam ) have made the news headlines.....

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/drivers-furious-over-discriminatory-plans-to-ditch-pay-and-display-parking-machines/ar-AA18T4mk?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=a51f5caf41704e439eeb1cce659a1187&ei=57

 

- Apparently it's all down to the imminent withdrawal of the 3G Phone Network - cos' that's what the Pay & Display phone machines use to take payment using a Credit/Debit Card;  the Daily Mirror are running a poll at the moment to find out what payment method people (and Pups) prefer - the results at the moment are as follows:

 

Pay and display machine 

 93%

Using an app 

 4%

Other 

 3%

 

And finally....

This'll take some fixing:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65038617

I guess the easy way (assuming the hull is still watertight) would be to flood the Dock and re-float it; otherwise they'll need some pretty big trolley jacks to sort that mess.

SBT's to those injured.

 

Right, time to remove some leccy bits before wallpapering starts (tomorrow?).

Bear gone.

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

This mornings post went walkabout, as I sent it just as the site went down.

I've already decided to not go to one show of unmentionables because the only parking is the towns, and I have no way to pay ...

 

So anyway ,

Two awkward shelves have been fitted, the remaining ply boards have been cut up into blanks for the console table. The Landrover was most happy, they had been loading one side of her for some weeks.

While doing the above a call came from my sailing compatriot, so we arranged for tomorrow to put Blue Moon in the Water, and remove Kittiwake his Yeoman.

 

So now the Landrover has a mast and boom on the roof. The new boom being to long to go inside unlike the old one.

Inside are the sails, lotsa ropes, and a box of, it might be useful.

The boat has been tied down to the trailer which has been attached to the Landrover.. the car has been moved to one side to make a clear exit.

 

occular cover inspection followed..

[Ian Abel]

23 hours ago, polybear said:

 

It might just be worth doing a quick check on the Auction Sites to research values - some of the early computer stuff is getting rather collectable (with prices to match).

I did already do that, thanks for suggesting though. For what I can probably get, including having to make the items more presentable, i.e. clean them up some, AND mess around with the time to do the listing and then shipping them, seems not a lot of real worth.

Decided it's a better way to go to let a charity group deal with them and provide as a result funds to get other items into the hands of those who are low income and could benefit someway. Also, I do get a tax write-off for the items, so that also is an offset.

 

 

HUMP day, moaning!! 

 

Yesterday quiet overall, but one significant RANT to bore everyone with.

 

RANT ON - another chapter in why US-style for profit health care/health insurance should be banned, blown up or otherwise removed from the planet!

Dr: I want to switch you to a newer medication from the one you're currently on, check if your insurance covers it <-- PROBLEM #1

Me: calls Insurance company, notes required -> Insurance is with "CVS CareMark", wholly own/owned by "CVS Pharmacy", which I HAVE to use per employer.

CVS CareMark: Yes the new one(s) optioned are covered.

Me: What would the cost be?

CVS: All are ESTIMATED to cost $30 monthly for the usual dosage.

Me: What's "ESTIMATED" mean, what's the actual cost going to be?

CVS: We won't know until it's prescribed and you pick it up at the pharmacy.

Me: WHAT THE ACTUAL @$!$!#$!#@$ how is that even possible, you ARE the insurance provider AND OWN the dispensing pharmacy?!?!?!?!??!

CVS: don't know what to tell you.

 

Loonies running the for profit health system insane asylum!??!?!?!

 

RANT OFF

 

Today, should be quiet work-wise it seems, then this evening off to a Lenten Soup Supper as we're (the schola) are singing post supper at a Lenten Reconciliation service.

 

-2c first thing, a light rain looks like overnight. Overcast and 2c for the high today with no precip forecast.

 

Tally ho 

 

[Dave Hunt]

First of all condolences and supportive thoughts to Q.

 

I'm currently sorting out a talk I'm giving on the Royal Scots to the Bedford branch of the LCGB on April 4th. Our dear late friend Chrisf was a member and used to write their reports on meetings and it was he who first asked me if I would give it way back before covid interrupted things so preparing it now is bringing back memories. When he first raised the subject I said something like, "Only of you go easy on me when doing your report Chris," to which he merely gave a wry grin. 

 

Dave 

 

PS I was just about to post this when the site went down. Since then I have been to the hospital with Jill to have her heart monitor fitted, which just leaves the echocardiogram to be done on Monday before seeing the consultant again to see whether any other treatment is needed and if she can drive again.

[BoD]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

This'll take some fixing:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-65038617

I guess the easy way (assuming the hull is still watertight) would be to flood the Dock and re-float it; otherwise they'll need some pretty big trolley jacks to sort that mess.

Some rope and a couple of good Highland Games tug-o-war teams should sort it.

[PupCam]

Afternoon ALl.

 

Firstly, belated condolences to @TheQ, family and friends at the sad loss of his brother.   

It seems that in the event it all happened very quickly so hopefully there is a crumb of comfort to be had knowing that the suffering was at least short lived.

Yet another event to remind us all of our own mortality.

 

1 hour ago, polybear said:

I see the residents of Puppershire ( @PupCam ) have made the news headlines.....

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/drivers-furious-over-discriminatory-plans-to-ditch-pay-and-display-parking-machines/ar-AA18T4mk?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=a51f5caf41704e439eeb1cce659a1187&ei=57

 

Grrrrrrrr!!!   Funny enough I used exactly the same term in my Rantogram to my MP concerning "the requirement" to have a Photo driving licence and/or valid passport in order to register to use the Government's Portal.    Grrrrrrr! Squared!

 

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Apparently it's all down to the imminent withdrawal of the 3G Phone Network - cos' that's what the Pay & Display phone machines use to take payment using a Credit/Debit Card;  the Daily Mirror are running a poll at the moment to find out what payment method people (and Pups) prefer - the results at the moment are as follows:

 

Well, the answer is to upgrade the machines to 4G/5G then isn't it!     Or how about this for a radical idea?     Town centres are "dying" by all accounts.    How about NOT CHARGING AT ALL FOR PARKING to encourage Mr and Mrs Joe Public to actually come into the towns to use the shops and facilities.    No, completely stupid idea of course - it's all about money without a sniff of the wider picture.      Yep; rant!

 

In Other News

 

Still not heard about the cancelled hospital consultation debacle from last week (why am I not surprised) so I phoned this morning to enquire as to progress.   None was of course the answer and the detailed explanation by the nice lady only served to contradict previous statements from others but at least the reason why the apparently available slot could not be booked was forthcoming.   A cynical person might jump to the conclusion that that slot was reserved for private patients but of course I am not at all cynical and I'm sure there must be a far more logical and sound reason.     I also noticed as I summarized the discussion for my "Doctors Diary" notes that I'm now up to page 33 (A4, typed notes) and the first entry was made on the 17th March 2021 some 3 months after my battle to be seen by a GP commenced and some 2 months before my "Great Inconvenience".     I figure the notes might be of use for the family if ever there's the need for an inquest ....

 

To go back briefly to the Council Tax debate from a few days ago.    Although we are fortunate to own a detached, notionally 4 bedroom (actually 3 bedrooms and a study) it's not a huge mansion by any stretch of the imagination but a 1970's square box  (as a certain @polybearcould confirm).   Quite how it ended up as Band F with a council tax this year of ~18 Deltics I do not know!   Yep; another rant!

 

On a brighter note. Mr & Mrs Puppers have been out and about today to celebrate another trip round the sun for Mrs P.    A trip out to a new-to-us and highly recommended garden centre to spend a birthday voucher came first.   This entailed a pleasant drive through the country lanes out towards St Ives (Cambs NOT Cornwall!).   The GC was good and vouchers may have been exchanged.  Then we had a little prowl around the local (to it) village church followed by lunch in the local pub.    The pub was good, the food was OK if rather too plentiful.   That's probably a sign of advancing age but we are finding it harder and harder to find  really good quality, modest portion reasonably priced pub/restaurant food.     We'd much rather have less quantity than the typical servings but better quality and more choice for the same price.    Are we unique or do other ERs have the same problem?   

 

On our return to Puppershire it was very nice to be able to drop in to Old Warden without a 3 mile detour and have a wander around the Swiss Gardens where, it has to be said, the Daffodils are looking particularly splendid at the moment.     To show willing and support the recent changes we partook of coffee in the cafe before returning home.  Remember we don't pay to get in as we are both Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society members so the previous ridiculous admission policy apart from the long detour did not affect us anyway.     I thought the coffee demonstrated plenty of scope for future improvement but small steps and all that and overall I'm so glad that "normality" has returned to the place.    Let us hope that a lot of the goodwill that was lost during the recent past can be regained quickly but goodwill, like respect, is hard won and easily lost.   Indeed, they must succeed as the place is too precious to contemplate its demise.

 

TTFNQ

 

Alan

 

[Gwiwer]

Good morning later in the day all. No service earlier but it seems someone has popped a shilling into Andy’s meter. 
 

All works which normally take place in the bedroom / office / workspace / muddling zone other than essential kip have been suspended.  Late on Sunday night we noticed damp patches on the walls and ceilings which had grown by Monday morning. The agent had their man round here commendably quickly but he was unable to find a leak. 
 

Yesterday we had the plumber who ended up lifting some boards in the upstairs flat and checking the void under the stairs to the top flat. Nothing. 
 

Today the patches are worse and so is the strong smell of damp. I have removed to shelf topper which means part of the library and rolling stock collection has to live on my office chair and in front of the computer for now.
 

The plumber was back checking inside the top flat.  We await developments. It is currently still aromatically moist.   If it progresses from here the next stage is kipping on the sofa. 
 

[PupCam]

50 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

I'm currently sorting out a talk I'm giving on the Royal Scots to the Bedford branch of the LCGB on April 4th. Our dear late friend Chrisf was a member and used to write their reports on meetings and it was he who first asked me if I would give it way back before covid interrupted things so preparing it now is bringing back memories. When he first raised the subject I said something like, "Only of you go easy on me when doing your report Chris," to which he merely gave a wry grin.

 

Oh that's good, I see that they admit non-members to their talks.    Even though red is really the wrong colour* for a locomotive I might try and come along!

 

*   They should of course be apple green, garter blue or black and most certainly NOT British Railways blue .....

 

Alan

[45156]

Afternoon All,

 

Came here earlier, but here wasn't here - it was somewhere else.

 

Visited Leominster, and delighted that we have already sold six items from the cabinet - it covers the first two weeks rent - and we have only been selling since Saturday.  And some very good and surprising news at the coal merchant's - we went there to buy some smokeless fuel again, and saw some bags of house coal - and bought three at £12.50 each - they have a small supply, and we are going to buy more tomorrow - with just a little Seat, we can only safely move about four, and with the stock box also in the back and the shopping on the back seatl three was all we wanted to risk - but over the next few days we should get enough to see us through the next year.

 

Not a lot more to report.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

Edited March 22, 2023 by 45156

[Dave Hunt]

5 minutes ago, PupCam said:

Oh that's good, I see that they admit non-members to their talks.    Even though red is really the wrong colour* for a locomotive I might try and come along!

 

Sometimes I have to ask my twin brother to stand in for me and he isn't very good, so if the talk is rubbish, Alan, it will be him.

 

Dave 

[2E Sub Shed]

13 minutes ago, PupCam said:

To go back briefly to the Council Tax debate from a few days ago.    Although we are fortunate to own a detached, notionally 4 bedroom (actually 3 bedrooms and a study) it's not a huge mansion by any stretch of the imagination but a 1970's square box  (as a certain @polybearcould confirm).   Quite how it ended up as Band F with a council tax this year of ~18 Deltics I do not know!   Yep; another rant!

We are in same position, 2 years after purchase and 5 years after extension added to create 4 bed house (and one sale 3 years ago), we opened a missive from up North telling us our home is now re-banded to Band F, and it is nearly the only Band F property in the village. An appeal looms.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. The arthritis/sciatica was going full bore this morning, it seems to follow the weather, worse when it rains. Trouble is that according to the forecast its raining for the next week.

[Ozexpatriate]

23 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

I really hate that  video pop-up  and will NEVER buy a Connatix due to this, whatever it might be

Connatix.

 

They are the provider of the pop-up video software.

 

Their tagline is "Deliver successful video experiences without compromise". Meh!

 

The advertising videos include a Rapido Hunslet. Interestingly the video stopped when I opened the Connatix website in another tab. There are other advertising videos. I wouldn't hold this against Rapido. This is a Warners/RMweb IT issue.

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by Ozexpatriate
Quote

[polybear]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

To go back briefly to the Council Tax debate from a few days ago.    Although we are fortunate to own a detached, notionally 4 bedroom (actually 3 bedrooms and a study) it's not a huge mansion by any stretch of the imagination but a 1970's square box  (as a certain @polybearcould confirm).   

 

It also has a Garage.....with a Myford and two classic bikes.....

Yours,

A bereft Bear....😢

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

The pub was good, the food was OK if rather too plentiful.   That's probably a sign of advancing age but we are finding it harder and harder to find  really good quality, modest portion reasonably priced pub/restaurant food.     We'd much rather have less quantity than the typical servings but better quality and more choice for the same price.    Are we unique or do other ERs have the same problem?   

 

Hmmm.....

 

Triple Cooked Chips.....

 

 

...or oven chips.......

 

 

Tough.  For about a nanosecond.

[Ozexpatriate]

On 20/03/2023 at 11:54, monkeysarefun said:

And we  apparently have never even noticed this one until meddling scientists discovered it last week!

 

(gum leaves might give scale....)

 

CNN displayed this image of Euoplos dignitas:

Looks quite different.  (Gum leaves evident.)

 

CNN: Rare giant spider species spotted in Queensland

 

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each,

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

The pub was good, the food was OK if rather too plentiful.   That's probably a sign of advancing age but we are finding it harder and harder to find  really good quality, modest portion reasonably priced pub/restaurant food.     We'd much rather have less quantity than the typical servings but better quality and more choice for the same price.    Are we unique or do other ERs have the same problem?

 

 

Couldn't agree more Alan.  Portion sizes in some places are ridiculously large.  I did make an observation to that effect to the landlord of a very nice pub in Devon a few years ago when he queried why I'd left quite a bit on my plate.  He said "All our customers expect large portions."  "They're obviously not all in tonight!" I said looking around at several tables  where others hadn't managed to clear their plates.  The food there was excellent though.

I've not been to a Wetherspoons for quite a long time due to a couple of naff meals but I noticed that they do actually offer some smaller portions on their menu.  Perhaps others should take note because as you say I think we do eat less as we age, probably due to not being as energetic as we once were.  Certainly applies to me.

[monkeysarefun]

34 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

CNN displayed this image of Euoplos dignitas:

Looks quite different.  (Gum leaves evident.)

 

CNN: Rare giant spider species spotted in Queensland

 

 

 

Male VS  Female, your pic is of the male. They have  a body length of up to 50mm, then you add the legs.

Edited March 22, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

CNN displayed this image of Euoplos dignitas:

Looks quite different.  (Gum leaves evident.)

 

CNN: Rare giant spider species spotted in Queensland

 

 

47 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

 

Male VS  Female, your pic is of the male. They have  a body length of up to 50mm, then you add the legs.

Could you please send a breeding pair to my good chum @polybear, I’ll pay the postage and import fees.

Thanking You in Advance

Captain Cynical

[The Johnster]

My local 'Spoons does pretty good food if you can get there when it's quiet and the kitchen isn't busy.  Great for the money as well.