Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

@iL Dottore, I hope Lucy is better this morning. I once thought Robbie had some sort of stroke but the vet said it was tonsillitis. Robbie was a very good dog at the vets, allowing us all to look and confirm the diagnosis. 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

7 hour solid sleep with some dozing following. Needed that.

Little finger is still throbbing where in caught the nail yesterday.

 

Ben the very insistent Collie took me on patrol, Dry dull grey but very windy. Although the wind is still gusting 36mph, the wind around the house is strangely quiet. The wind is through the garden trees.

 

Ben hopes Lucy gets well soon.

 

For some reason we are getting BBC London local news, normally when they do this there is some sort of acknowledgement, but it's happened twice now without saying anything.

 

Travelling to from the Hebridies in the winter, I carried a lot of extra kit , including a shovel, which came in use once.  It's unlikely I'll need such kit now, as I'm retired I've no need to travel.

As for suitable clothing I have a large range, from 100% waterproof floating suits, down to a pull over the top 100% single layer coat that goes down to the shins for dog walking.

The trouble with 100% waterproof is that works both ways. The 100% floating suit is very warm, if I'm sailing hard it can get very sweaty. It has to be cold washed, turned inside out to dry, then turned the right way round to dry again.

 

The Hebridies also gets cut off by weather and by failing ferries of which there are a lot. The first time I lived there, the most noticeable thing was the lack of fresh milk, so you had to use tinned milk. The second time, uht milk had been introduced which was a much better solution.

 

Hmm just had a roar of wind , it's died down again.

 

Plans for today,

Reseal the cover on the stove which covers the alternative unused chimney exit.

Do a bit more work on the doggy ramp.

Unmentionables.

 

 

 

 

[Winslow Boy]

Crossing my fingers for Lucy @iL Dottore as I think a lot of fellow ER's will be as well. Positive thoughts.

 

Ps Ziggy Lou aka Devil Dog sends her get well soons as well.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Winslow Boy

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Some blue sky appearing through the grey clouds and it seems to be getting brighter in the East.  Bright spells, scattered showers and a breezy day on offer although not as windy as the past couple of days.  9°C now rising to 11°C.

Left peg still causing a bit of grief although I did manage to walk just over a mile yesterday accompanying The Boss to and from the dentist.    

Nottalot done yesterday except watching a couple of TV recordings.  No Shed visit, my excuse being the painful peg....maybe today as he often says with monotonous regularity.

I do need to look at the accounts today and do a bit of book balancing.  Won't take long as there's not much to balance!

The Boss has appeared and advised me that although we had a food delivery yesterday we need to go to Asda to get something else which she prefers to obtain from there.  Another hobble then...or I could possibly take the car..we'll see.

Timetoetc.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Dry, no wind, I can just see one or two branches moving slightly and there are bits of blue sky showing through the grey bits, the temperature is currently 6C and predicted to reach 8C later. It might turn out to be a nice day, oooh, I think I’ve spoke too soon, there’s quite a bit of movement in the trees now.
 

Anyway, back to the plans for today, I’ll shortly set off on my walk to the butchers, for the weekly meat rations and a pork pie for dinner. Then I’m off to the Trafford Centre for a click and collect package for Sheila and a few other items we can’t get locally. 
 

The afternoon will be spent in the workshop with Charlie, who re-arranged yesterday’s planned visit due to a shift change. 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[Sidecar Racer]

 

 I know it's a bit past the big day but I just had this appear on Facebook ,

I,m surprised that our mate Chimpy has'nt mentioned it .

 

 

 

An Aussie Christmas :

 

'Twas the night before Christmas; there wasn't a sound.

Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.

We'd left on the table some tucker and beer,

Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,

While dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;

And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts,

Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

 

When outside the house a mad ruckus arose;

Loud squeaking and banging woke us from our doze.

We ran to the screen door, peeked cautiously out,

Snuck onto the deck, then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze,

But a rusty old Ute pulled by eight mighty 'roos.

 

The cheerful man driving was giggling with glee,

And we both knew at once who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth it's all dinki-di,

Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.

Santa leaned out the window to pull at the reins,

And encouraged the 'roos, by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty! Now, Shazza and Shane!

On Kipper! On, Skipper! On, Bazza and Wayne!

Park up on that water tank. Grab a quick drink,

I'll scoot down the gum tree. Be back in a wink!'

 

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,

With the Ute full of toys, and Santa Claus too.

He slid down the gum tree and jumped to the ground,

Then in through the window he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks and a milky white beard.

 

A jolly old joker was how he appeared.

He wore red stubby shorts and old thongs on his feet,

And a hat of deep crimson as shade from the heat.

His eyes – bright as opals – Oh! How they twinkled!

And, like a goanna, his skin was quite wrinkled!

 

His shirt was stretched over a round bulging belly

Which shook when he moved, like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies he flung from his back,

And he looked like a swaggie unfastening his pack.

 

He spoke not a word, but bent down on one knee,

To position our goodies beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes for us two.

And for Dad, tongs to use on the new barbeque.

A mysterious package he left for our Mum,

Then he turned and he winked and he held up his thumb;

 

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;

Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.

He bellowed out loud as they swooped past the gates-

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and goodonya, MATES!'

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Sidecar Racer

[DaveF]

The sun is out right now but the usual cloud is encroaching from the west, the forecast says cloud with showers again later.  I didn't wake until about 08.00 but that was after a poor night's sleep.  I know I had a dream about a book I've just read, then I woke needing to empty my bladder, at that point I remembered two bits of another dream, one was "that otter wasn't big enough" and the other bit was "we need a fire to keep us warm".  Perhaps it is as well I didn't remember the rest of it.  

 

Then I was woken by a loud series of bangs and a shrieking sound.  After I had fully woken I realised it was the wind making the tiles clatter and blowing things around nearby.  I've looked at my roof and it is still there, as are my fences.  It is still much too windy to be able to enjoy going out far so I may just go and have a look at a support ship which is moored at the Quayside.

 

After that it will be more of the same - reading, TV, model stuff and eating.  I've realised I've been eating too much in the evening so supper is going to have to become much more frugal for a while, at least until I have eaten the Christmas chocolates - I had bought some but have also been given some and I can't resist chocolate temptation.

 

Davif

Edited December 29, 2023 by DaveF

[southern42]

15 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Is this not the normal state of trees in a wild forest?

 

I remember reading, awhile ago, that it was put forward for maintained land as an environmental benefit to the woodland/forest. Not sure how far the idea went, though, but I did see uprooted/broken trees lying in Haigh Woodland Park December 2019.  Maybe not such a great idea along thoroughfares, bridle and foot paths, pedestrian ways, etc.

 

 

[Coombe Barton]

Grey and gloomy here

And so's the weather

[PhilJ W]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Perhaps you should have made a critical or highly sceptical post about a favoured minority on Farcebook, Instaprat or “X” - you’d have had the plod turn up faster than you could say “soshul meeja”

(or am I just being incredibly cynical here?)

Not cynical at all. From time here we have visitations from the travelling community (Tarmac your drive soi?) . We are often told that we mustn't use the P word to describe them. My answer to that is "Why can't we call them parasites?"

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Another good night last night, I did wake up about five but neither bladder control or the other two gentlemen were involved. Bin day tomorrow but it's only the two recycling bags this week, they don't seem to be affected by the strong winds when they're full. When I went to collect my friend yesterday it was blowing a hooley and it was his BIN day, the same as mine and just recycling. But where he lives they still use the plastic bags and on the way I was confronted by a mobile chichane of bouncing plastic bags.

[southern42]

' morning all from red dragon land.

Dry but may be interrupted with a spell or two of the wet stuff.

Temp. shows no sign of rising, currently 6.1C.

 

Quite a few bits of notsogood news on my catchup, on here. Hope everything gets sorted soon with some good news.

 

Just had an email saying a parcel is out for delivery and should arrive between 2 and 3 this afternoon. Earlier than expected considering all the slow-go info given out re the company's Sale sales. 👍

 

Time to squeeze in a toot on the flute before getting another lot of veggies ready for the new "Turtle". At the moment I much prefer (minimal fat) hob-fried or oven-roasted food but with a bit of tweaking of the cooking options on the air fryer, I hope I can get it just as I like it! All in all, an attempt to reduce our energy consumption (prices!)...

 

Take care all. Be good. Go with the flow.

Polly

[Peter Kazmierczak]

"Let's walk to the shop before it rains", says the wife.  Of course, the heavens open before we get there.  "Got any Easter eggs?", I jokingly ask the assistant. "Yes, we've got some in the back..."

Wait at the shop until said rain subsides. Start walking home when the heavens open up again.

Now having a coffee to dry out as I type this, and outside there are blue skies and the sun is shining. 

 

[grandadbob]

A walk has been walked, well there was more hobbling than walking, took longer than usual because en route we encountered no less than 4 friends and neighbours so much nattering ensued.  Mind you I was glad for the breaks in walking.  Got back and as it looks like it will rain shortly I put all our ours and next door's bins out ready for tomorrow's collections.  They all had something in common being both full and heavy.

A bit of book balancing has been done and I was pleasantly surprised to find a few more tokens spare than I thought I had.

Muggacoffee now and I need to think about what's next.   All I can be certain of is that it won't involve a lot of physical activity. *

 

*Update:  Lunch in about 45 minutes, turkey sandwich anyone?  🦃🍞🥪😂

Edited December 29, 2023 by grandadbob

[Hroth]

51 minutes ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

"Got any Easter eggs?", I jokingly ask the assistant. "Yes, we've got some in the back..."

 

I was at Tess Co this AM, a chap came past dragging a pallet shifter, loaded with easter eggs....

 

I will not buy creme eggs until the middle of January. Or at least until all the Christmas chocolates have been eaten.  And I don't intend to scoff those down at a rate of knots!

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Hroth

[Erichill16]

Recent pictures from Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

From time here we have visitations from the travelling community 

 

 

 

According to the ABC, so do we!

 

[Hroth]

12 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

Recent pictures from Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

 

I do hope the thing is a stuffed specimen, and I don't mean that its been eating all the leftovers... 

 

[Barry O]

1 hour ago, Erichill16 said:

Recent pictures from Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

Not worried about those.. but I still bear a leaf mark scar from one of 5

the plants there..

 

Baz

[Barry O]

As it happens I managed to get a 3 mile walk in with no rain encountered.  Yippppppeeeeedddddoooo!!!!!

 

The North West Leeds Highlands  is now in the middle of a cold hoolie with bits of blue sky.

 

All being well me and her indoors will be meeting up with another ER and partner later for a pint. 

 

Time to.. go do some muddling!

 

Baz

Edited December 29, 2023 by Barry O

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

Cover to stove resealed, that went exceedingly well, it's often been a much more awkward task as it's on the back of the stove, there's normally much grief cleaning, and getting it back on without getting covered in gue.

 

It been a bit of a Brummer*** working on the ramp, that's now back in the house to set. Legs have been fitted. I'm intending to paint the ramp to hide all iniquities.

 

Muddling done, some of Polly's filler is taking a long time to set, i'm wondering if its taking a dislike to the new acrylic paint I'm using to dye the mix. Bridge work suspended until a new pair of square tipped pliers arrives. Due Sunday.

I had 3 orders from the house of strong ladies, the newest order has arrived, the oldest order is the last programmed to arrive.

 

Today's order is for the rudder,

A specific high strength bolt for the rudder head, the old one was bending.

Some copper self adhesive sheet, it's supposed to have very waterproof glue and will be used to copper the rudder. It's an experiment, antifouling is getting evermore expensive, the one I've been using is about £100 a litre now,  and evermore useless as they ban everything that works. I'm doing the rudder this year as it's easily removable, and I could chuck it on the bench and grind it off if it doesn't work.

 

*** Don't forget the R..

 

 

 

[Winslow Boy]

5 hours ago, southern42 said:

 

I remember reading, awhile ago, that it was put forward for maintained land as an environmental benefit to the woodland/forest. Not sure how far the idea went, though, but I did see uprooted/broken trees lying in Haigh Woodland Park December 2019.  Maybe not such a great idea along thoroughfares, bridle and foot paths, pedestrian ways, etc.

 

 

Yes no problem with that but the trees I was writing about were hung up in the crowns of other trees.

[iL Dottore]

Lucy now seems to be back to her usual self and - according to Mrs iD - was happily running about on her walks today

 

I have NO idea what was wrong and although Lucy now appears happy and comfortable ,nonetheless the vet will be informed when we take her in for her eye operation (excision of tumour from an eyelid). I’ll definitely ask for a recommendation for a good reference on aging in dogs (so that I can learn the difference between normal and pathological age related changes).

 

Apart from worsening deafness, she is in really great condition and her major organ systems (cardiovascular, renal, hepatic and pulmonary) are in very good condition.

 

But at 14, she’s definitely on the home stretch to that great kennel in the sky. And all I want is for her to be happy, feel loved, be comfortable and be pain free (mind you that’s sort of a personal goal for me as well)

[Winslow Boy]

8 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Lucy now seems to be back to her usual self and - according to Mrs iD - was happily running about on her walks today

 

I have NO idea what was wrong and although Lucy now appears happy and comfortable ,nonetheless the vet will be informed when we take her in for her eye operation (excision of tumour from an eyelid). I’ll definitely ask for a recommendation for a good reference on aging in dogs (so that I can learn the difference between normal and pathological age related changes).

 

Apart from worsening deafness, she is in really great condition and her major organ systems (cardiovascular, renal, hepatic and pulmonary) are in very good condition.

 

But at 14, she’s definitely on the home stretch to that great kennel in the sky. And all I want is for her to be happy, feel loved, be comfortable and be pain free (mind you that’s sort of a personal goal for me as well)

That's good news. Sounds much like Devil Dog's predecessor, Satan's Angel aka Ziggy. She had a knack of feigning illness, usually a limp, which resulted in frequent visits to the vet only to miraculously recover when she was presented.

 

DD tells me that she has been in touch with the League (Swiss branch) of Miniature Schnauzers and that they are on stand by in case Lucy needs company.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just finished watching 'The Longest Day' on the box. That film was made in 1962, only eighteen years after the events portrayed. Another batch of washing to put on, oh Frabjoy.