Early Risers.

[Joseph_Pestell]

12 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

I once went to the Peterborough exhibition and I was quite impressed by the carvery adjacent to the hall. After all it is in an agricultural showground. Agricultural shows usually can knock spots off other types of shows catering.

 

Bacon sandwiches at Peterborough were excellent and reasonably priced.

[TheQ]

Unfortunately the earliest train to the NEC, from here would get me to the NEC at 11:45 on the Saturday after 3 changes of train and a journey time of over 5 hours . I would have to leave on the 15:58 train on the Sunday to get back with a similar journey time.

the ticket price is £130 if I ordered it today. 

So add a hotel £124 is £254, - the saving in fuel £41. Means I'd be £213 further out of pocket.. plus two day's parking at the nearest railway station.

Edited October 2, 2023 by TheQ

[jjb1970]

On jabs, the government here is taking a laid back approach , and is only encouraging the elderly and those with health conditions to go for boosters. It contrasts with the initial vaccine roll out which was a  de-facto mandatory requirement  (technically it wasn't mandatory but you couldn't go to school, work, shopping,  eat out or do anything which entailed leaving the home without a vaccine certificate) and first booster campaign which was pushed very hard. 

Edited October 2, 2023 by jjb1970

[Dave Hunt]

My heart has been touched by the Bear’s recent posts so here are a couple of things to cheer him up:

 

I too woke up at some unearthly hour due to urgent messages from the bladder department. However, I then went back to sleep with no problem at all and didn’t wake again until nearly 0800.

 

We have a new resident in the front porch of Hunt Towers.

He’s a friendly little chap and often waves as we pass.

 

TTFN

 

Dave

 

 

[Hroth]

9 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

My heart has been touched by the Bear’s recent posts so here are a couple of things to cheer him up:

 

I too woke up at some unearthly hour due to urgent messages from the bladder department. However, I then went back to sleep with no problem at all and didn’t wake again until nearly 0800.

 

We have a new resident in the front porch of Hunt Towers.

He’s a friendly little chap and often waves as we pass.

 

TTFN

 

Dave

 

 

 

Whats he/she* been drinking,  their web spinning skills seem to be a little erratic!

The "waving" is probably indicative too...

 

* Hope its not one of Shelobs spawn, you might one day find yourself spun into a cocoon, for later attention...

[Tony_S]

3 hours ago, Barry O said:

they don't include liver or kidneys with their m8xed grill either!

That’s just offal…

[DaveF]

While I had my tea yesterday I could see a spider busy wrapping up an insect caught in the web outside the kitchen window.  Presumably it was to be eaten later, I notice there are just a few remains there today.  Meanwhile in the house some spiders continually move around looking for food, others just sit and wait for it to come to them.

 

This morning the housework is done, the second lot of washing is in the machine after that the rest of the day has nothing fixed.

 

I might see if the barber is back and not too busy and I could go and look at winter bedding plants for the garden, or I might not.

 

I must ring the car insurance people and give them the details of the new car and the date and time to change it over.

 

So far it is dry with a weak sun now and then between the clouds.

 

David

[PhilJ W]

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

Peterborough showground is being turned into a housing estate, many big shows in all sorts of hobbies plus Peterborough speedway team have been made homeless.

Thats a shame. I did wonder why another event (Truckfest) that was held in the showground was no more. No doubt lockdown has a lot to do with it, without the income such events bring in its remarkable if any such venues survive. Also anything within two hours commute of London is snapped up by developers for housing. 

[PhilJ W]

4 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

That’s just offal…

We need a GROAN button now!

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s a dull, grey start to the day here in England’s northwest corner, there’s no wind at the moment, but it does look like it could chuckitdarn at any moment. Anyway, I’m going to chance it, the plan is to move the car, then tackle the few weeds that are popping up in the block paving. This is one of those jobs that if left, they will grow very quickly and take hours to sort, but if you keep on top of it, can be done in about 60 minutes, including the walk round to the front and back with the wheelbarrow and tools. So, I’d best getamoveon whilst it’s still dry. 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[southern42]

16 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

If I'm going to sacrifice 711kcals of my limited daily allowance it had better be for real Maple Syrup!

 

Like this*...bear approved

 

* Apologies if you have seen/not seen this before

[BSW01]

Just now, southern42 said:

 

Like this*...bear approved

 

* Apologies if you have seen/not seen this before

mmmmmmmmmmmmm that’s the one I use on my pancakes, lovely!

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Grizz said:

Erm….is there any chance that we could see some photos of your completed muddling project please Bear? 
 

 

Evidence?  You want to see the evidence?  Oh sh1t.......

S'pose I could always hide behind "The Great Awl" gag - but am I a Bear or a Mouse?

Squeak......

 

Ok, let me see what I can do....

 

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

Peterborough showground is being turned into a housing estate, many big shows in all sorts of hobbies plus Peterborough speedway team have been made homeless.

 

 

Now what's the word I'm looking for - oh yes, B'sterds.

[Tony_S]

I did investigate perhaps going to Warley. I did decide if I did it, it would be two days and stay in a hotel and travel by train. Then I decided I probably wouldn’t like the crowds round anything I wanted to see. I have t even been to Alexandra Palace exhibition for about 5 years now. I haven’t been to the NEC for a model railway exhibition but I did go with Matthew when he was about 15 to a Warhammer show. It was a long day and I ate something nasty from the motorway service stop on the return journey. 

Edited October 2, 2023 by Tony_S

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a good night last night, up to the bathroom several times. Partly my own fault for breaking the no drinks after nine rule. Time for some eyelid inspection.

[pH]

2 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Partly my own fault for breaking the no drinks after nine rule.

I think 10+ drinks would cause me similar problems!

[Darlington_Shed]

Morning, each! Returned from the Med cruise on Saturday night but yesterday was a day for recuperation and laundry... lots of laundry.

 

A most excellent time was had - highlights included the Barcelona maritime museum (an excellent collection housed in a wonderful medieval building); a first visit to St Tropez (still very much a beautiful fishing village but eye-wateringly expensive); a day each wandering the streets of Mahon and Cadiz; ending in Lisbon, which had much to commend it, not least the famous custard tarts!

 

The only low was the day in Tangier - nothing to do with the city or its inhabitants but a very poor tour guide who thought the visit of Mick Jagger in the '60s and the price of properties in the nicer parts of the city were more interesting than its history and culture. Kasbah and medina were memorable, though.

 

Now I need an urgent return to the diet. Before we went I had read that the average passenger puts on a pound in weight for every day of the cruise. This proved to be true, despite an attempt to be sensible about intake and upping my walking to around 5 miles a day. Turns out, there is gain without pain 😋

[The White Rabbit]

15 hours ago, Barry O said:

.... The only real chaos is on Friday afternoon when everybody is trying to get exhibits in. I should be there on Thursday to help.. not sure which loco it is this year nut its interesting Allelleys trying hard to wreck the hall delivering locos, wagons,coaches etc... 

 

I'd suggest Sunday evening at 'chucking out time' could be worse. Though we could be biased as our setting up was relatively relaxed and I admit I don't have Baz's experience of many years attendance/service. (IIRC, the prototype exhibits usually arrive Thursday and the show is built around them (mostly on Friday?) for obvious logistical reasons - can you imagine having a low loader with (say a Deltic on 😉) manoeuvring a few yards away from your layout or trade stand? Sunday night, layouts and traders out first, prototypes out when it's safe to let vehicles in).  

 

15 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

I once went to the Peterborough exhibition and I was quite impressed by the carvery adjacent to the hall. After all it is in an agricultural showground. Agricultural shows usually can knock spots off other types of shows catering.

 

I once went to Exeter's show, which was in a livestock auction market. And yes, they had cleaned the floor first! Plenty of space and light. We had lunch there and thought it was much better than many shows' food, nothing very exotic or sophisticated but decent ingredients, cooked well and at a good price. 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, just - had a sleep in due to a poor night, I had A beer - singular - and that's what it does now, aches, pains, overhot, just....pants.  It wasn't worth it.

 

Had an end of season ride on the 500v DC thing yesterday, went to the towering heights of Snaefell too, where it was about ten feet under the could base!  It felt like having a ceiling.  Trains on the mountain railway were full to capacity to the point of folk having to wait for the next train.  Granny Tours I think, plus a Rail Tour group of some kind that only seemed to be open to over 70's.  Or was it 80's. 

 

Domestic duties full on now, such are Mondays. Enthusiasm for this task is low. Maybe just a little mudelling this afternoon but I need to go way out west to Kirk Michael to collect my prescription.

[polybear]

1 hour ago, southern42 said:

 

Like this*...bear approved

 

* Apologies if you have seen/not seen this before

 

A quick look reveals that a quarter is classed as Sugar, which I'm sure would horrify iD.

 

Bear here.....

Danglin' completed by 08.30am - Big Tick; the only part of the Conservatory still to be sanded & painted is the back door frame and door now - and a look at the Seaweed suggests that should be do-able this week.  I also gave the Brass Handles from the French Doors a polish and refitted them with new screws, as the old brass screws had mysteriously gone rusty.....

 

Then it was a dash to experience the joys of the Co-op - the Cake Isle isn't talking to me at the moment, I suspect it's got the 'ump.

 

Oh yes, and I've just heard back from the seller of the DPU I purchased from the 'bay and received damaged (cheers Postie 🤬) - they offered me a £25 partial refund, which is more than fair so I've accepted it - I reckon with care I can repair the damage so it doesn't show, which will be a Tick.

 

BG.

[Gwiwer]

19 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Just out of curiosity, I downloaded the Wetherspoons breakfast menu and noticed this:

I reckon even @polybear would give up Beanz at those prices

On a ‘spoons portion that’s about 50p per bean. “Juice” (not the tomato sauce they sometimes claim) extra

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

quick look reveals that a quarter is classed as Sugar, which I'm sure would horrify iD.

But they are Canadian sugars from happy trees…

[southern42]

Plane spotting!

 

Yesterday, I had a left to right flypast in front of the window  by a coastguard helicopter - usually some distance away. Just 20 minutes ago or so, right to left, there were three F-35s* one behind the other, with the sound of others following though I had to get close up to the window to spot the first three overhead. I often hear, but rarely catch sight of them, and very rarely see them this close. Only disappointment - I didn't have the (fone) camera ready!

 

* assessed by googling so they could be something else, knowing me. I'm no expert.

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by southern42
typo

[monkeysarefun]

4 hours ago, TheQ said:

Unfortunately the earliest train to the NEC, from here would get me to the NEC at 11:45 on the Saturday after 3 changes of train and a journey time of over 5 hours . I would have to leave on the 15:58 train on the Sunday to get back with a similar journey time.

the ticket price is £130 if I ordered it today. 

So add a hotel £124 is £254, - the saving in fuel £41. Means I'd be £213 further out of pocket.. plus two day's parking at the nearest railway station.

 

Could be worse!

 

 

 

Hmmmmmmmm Let me ponder..

 

 

Hmmm again..........

 

 

£130 is $247 AUD.

 

So........ the train fare from Norfolk(?) to Birmingham (wherever that is!) is around 10% of the cost of flying in a plane using the "Best" deal airfare all the way from the far bit of Australia to Birmingham (wherever that is!) 

 

Your trains must therefore obviously be be very luxurious and posh.

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[monkeysarefun]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

My heart has been touched by the Bear’s recent posts so here are a couple of things to cheer him up:

 

I too woke up at some unearthly hour due to urgent messages from the bladder department. However, I then went back to sleep with no problem at all and didn’t wake again until nearly 0800.

 

We have a new resident in the front porch of Hunt Towers.

He’s a friendly little chap and often waves as we pass.

 

TTFN

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

Is that an Orb Weaver? They are awesome!  Their  web is like sticky steel and they rebuild them every night  right over your path so you get a faceful of it every #$#&@$& morning, plus you then get to spend several minutes wondering if you've  also now  got the spider attached to you somewhere.  From personal experience, their feet are  very sharp when they run over your face!