Early Risers.

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon awl,

 

I'm afraid there have been some 'issues' this end lately, health, wealth, IT, weather and 'other'. So I've missed quite a lot, so apologies if I put my foot in it through missing something posted during the last 2-3 weeks. 

 

Hopefully I'll be able to catch up but as I'm sending this via Morse with an aerial attached to one of the giraffe's necks and the generator being powered by Shem and Ham pedalling a contraption of ironmongery which Gypsy Rose says will one day be called a 'bicycle', then I hope you'll excuse me if there's a bit of a wobble on that. Fingers crossed we'll avoid the fireworks tonight, there's a wee bit of a gale blowing and enough rain to make a duck sick... 

 

Hope everyone's OK and had a decent Christmas (I'm afraid my run of festive ill-fortune continued) - best wishes for 2024. 

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl, 

You may have noticed a lack of morning report, that's because of a terrible night's lack of sleep followed by sleeping in. So I left for the SC in a hurry.

 

Turns out last week we had 60 boats out..

 

More rain overnight and it was still raining on the way to the SC. But it wasn't the overnight gale we'd just had. The water levels are down due to the southerly gales.

 

Forecast, 15 to 20mph southerly to start, , increasing to Gusting 40 later. The rain and clouds cleared and it was sunglasses time.

 

Race 1 course SP, NP, 1P, 4 laps, 

We started at almost the starboard end of the line on Starboard,  crossing right across the broad before tacking back, at this point at the cross overs with other boats we were second, at what we thought was the right time we tacked for the buoy...

Err wrong, we had tacked too early, we were too low for the buoy, had to put in another tack. Go behind another boat and reached buoy S in 3rd place. 

 

The lead boat was some distance ahead at this time, the second place boat went right, we went left to middle of the broad on the run. By N we had drawn alongside the second place boat and were inside for buoy N, we rounded N,  started after the lead boat,  then realised they were heading for the wrong buoy :) We corrected and were most of the way toward the correct buoy before the lead boat realised. 

We rounded 1 in first place, what was the lead boat rounded in 4th place. The up wind leg, we did very well increasing our lead , we held the lead for the rest of the race.

 

Race 2, 4S, SS, 1S, 4 laps. A bit more east in the wind for this race.

Started well at the Starboard end,  others were there or thereabouts, tacked onto port when we ran out of broad, others had tacked earlier. as we came up towards buoy 4,  they were approaching on starboard, we just had time to tack back onto starboard to approach the buoy and tack round it , a short continuation on port across the top then a rounding to run down the course.

 

We decided to go down the left hand side, for two reasons, 1, the dinghy fleet was just starting all on Starboard tack so we were aiming behind them. 2, it was furthest side from the wind direction , therefore stronger. The rest decided to go down the middle or right hand side.

We made the right choice, big time,  we gained a 100 yard lead and while the lead varied for the next two laps, we stayed ahead.  However a boat that had been a long way back was suddenly catching fast, then we noticed the shortened course flag was up, so tacked to take best advantage of the wind for the finishing line and finished first by about 50 yards.

 

Race 3, err with white tops and an ever increasing wind, all the keel boats decided not to compete. Of the dinghies about half also decided not to play.

 

So we packed up had our lunch with a glass of mulled wine watching the dinghies before heading home.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Sorted some of the boxes in the utility room but still some more to do. It's now started raining and getting dark so thats it for today. Now to prepare dinner.

[PhilJ W]

Not even 16:30 and the fireworks have started.

[zarniwhoop]

If we get any very early fireworks here, I think I'll miss them - continuing problems with my hifi, so playing some scots / irish music on the PC through my headphones. Then I'll get to the pipe music.

 

Happy Hogmanay!

[Coombe Barton]

... why is Dominic Cummings, sacked by one PM, considered so darned valuable as a political strategist? ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2023/12/31/sounds-of-the-season-2023-29-no-covid-more-dominic-though/

[DaveF]

Church went well as usual this morning, I came home for my usual coffee and finished some emails.

 

This afternoon I caught up on some sleep having slept badly earlier in the week.

 

Then I decided to upload a batch of photos to my photo thread.  I think that the software must have been drinking too much, it did not want to play.  I had to increase the file sizes to over 1Mb and even then had a number of problems.  I think AndyY will be busy after New Year getting it sorted.

 

Apart from that I've been doing odds and ends, getting the new calendars and diary ready to use from tomorrow, tidying the freezer etc. 

 

Tonight I don't know what I'll do, there is nothing on UK TV so I'll have a look at the German/Austrian satellite channels, or read or watch a DVD or something.  I doubt I'll stay up until midnight.

 

David

[jamie92208]

We are now safely back home after an easy 260 mile drive from Paris.   The car has been unpacked and we have got most of it's contents put away.  Much drink and cake had been discovered.  This evening we are off to a new years eve party and as a designated driver I am taking some zero beer.   Beth is taking Gin.   1550 miles driven in total, 7 beds in 12 days.  I thought that retirement was meant to be relaxing.   However a certain 4 yr old made it all worth while and we had 3 nights with no 2 son and partner.   It was good getting to know Gill and despite a slightly chaotic house we were made very welcome.   The first time we have ever stayed with Paul.

 

TTFN

 

Jamie

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Not a lot of fireworks so far tonight, probably because its too wet but there's more than three hours to go yet. I've been demolishing the 1kg. Vanilla cheesecake and it might (just) make it into the new year. It's a hard job but someone's got too do it.

[pH]

Results of a week of driving in the interior of BC, mostly on highways. 
 

 

The roads are treated with a salt/grit mixture. (I believe at lower temperatures they just use grit.) At temperatures around zero C, or just below, this melts snow to dirty slush, with the results shown. All clean now, though, and underside hosed off as well.

 

Experienced a weird phenomenon I hadn’t before.  We arrived at son’s house with a strong smell of hot rubber around the car. Having done about 150 miles that day on mountain roads, finishing with about 0.8 of a mile of 1-in-9 up, I immediately checked radiator hoses; they were all OK. I mentioned it to my son. He said it’s common in the part of town they live in - it’s hot tires, especially winter tires with softer rubber compound. The effort of driving a car up that final hill heats up the tires enough to make them smell.

[pH]

Superb rainbow here just now. (Apologies for the angle - I did it to remove parts of the house from the frame.)

It doesn’t really show up in the picture, but there appear to be two arcs superimposed. There’s a full top arc, and part of another arc (from about green down to violet) immediately below it. You can maybe make out the second, lower violet ‘stripe’. 

 

[Andy Hayter]

32 minutes ago, pH said:

Results of a week of driving in the interior of BC, mostly on highways. 
 

 

The roads are treated with a salt/grit mixture. (I believe at lower temperatures they just use grit.)

 

Below -8C salt stops working - hence the switch to pure grit or alternatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gwiwer]

A very good meal was had in the Commercial tonight. The best steak in ages.  Followed by a delicious rhubarb and pear crumble. Helped along by a rather good Aussie Shiraz. 
 

The restaurant was full as we had expected. The bar was filling rapidly by the time we left. We were warmed by the convivial atmosphere where, no matter who was whom, everyone wished everyone else a happy new year as they left. 
 

I like small town life for things like that. 
 

I shall have a wee dram of Raasay single malt with the midnight mince pie. And then return the few steps into town to “see wusson”. Dr. SWMBO is normally out for the count and seldom sees in the new year awake. 
 

Which reminds me. 
 

Bledhyn noweth da dhe onen hag oll.

A happy new year to one and all 

 

Friendship and support will always be offered here

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2023 by Gwiwer

[grandadbob]

Fireworks have been sounding off for a couple of hours and there was a veritable barrage just now.  I must be getting old as I can't stand the bloody things especially the really loud ones . Just don't see the point of all that noise.  And there's more now.  Humbug!

On that note I will wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that those with health issues get them resolved.

[monkeysarefun]

44 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Fireworks have been sounding off for a couple of hours and there was a veritable barrage just now.  I must be getting old as I can't stand the bloody things especially the really loud ones . Just don't see the point of all that noise.  And there's more now.  Humbug!

On that note I will wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that those with health issues get them resolved.

 

 

"Anyone lighting the fuse on illegal fireworks faces a fine of almost $40,000 and one year in prison, the NSW government has warned, as it promised a tough "zero tolerance" approach this New Year's Eve."

 

 

Still one or two go off occasionally  but they are illegal to sell or possess anywhere in Australia  (except in the NT for personal shoppers - no mail or online sales - on July 1st , and its  illegal to still have them there after the 4th..)

 

  Local manufacturers who supply to the organised events like the NYE Sydney display  would not risk selling to the public.

Edited December 31, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[PhilJ W]

Happy new year all and goodnight.

[Tony_S]

I suspect that there will be some fireworks at midnight.  There were lots of explosion sounds earlier but that was due to watching “A Bridge Too Far” on the television. 
 

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Well, I did manage to get some work done in the garden, but whilst doing so it rained. Thankfully it wasn’t heavy and it also didn’t last long. By the end of the morning, I’d planted up 2 oval planters and emptied my garden waste into the green bin. After dinner, I did a little tiding up in the cellar and put away the Christmas tree and all the decorations. Tomorrow will probably be getting Sheila’s bag ready for hospital stay on Tuesday. 
 

There have been fireworks going off for the last few hours now, around about 5 minutes ago it started raining and that seems to have stopped most, but no all of them. It’ll be worse around midnight. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight everyone and a happy new year to you all. 

[Coombe Barton]

Happy New Year

[Hroth]

Rather dazed White Rabbits!!!

 

Ruddy local fireworks woke me up just before 2024....

 

[petethemole]

Happy New Year to all.  A brief inspection of fireworks was undertaken with a glass of malt in hand.  Sadly the fact that the bangs start on the first stroke of midnight means we can't hear the ship sirens out here on the northern edge of the city. When we lived about a mile nearer the docks you could hear them.  There are still a few going off but I've gone back to the BBC Alba Ceilidh.  Tomorrow we are attending a dance-out and singaround at the Flower Pots in Cheriton.  The weather looks abysmal.

[Gwiwer]

Happy New Year. 
 

The Raasay was enjoyed at midnight whilst watching the London festivities. 
 

Everything around here was cancelled due to the extreme winds. 
 

I strolled into town to find the expected assortment of well-lubricated folk around the Square.  Some more lubricated than others. Unsteadiness on the feet might have been a combination of falling-down waters and the wind but there was no shortage of hugging, handshaking and pecking of cheeks.
 

A little broken glass lay around and far more people than it was designed for were trying to board a very small car to go somewhere else. 
 

And as it has been for many a year now the U2 song “New Year’s Day” was playing away in my pocket ℅ the iPhone. 
 

But no fireworks. Not a single one. 
 

 

[zarniwhoop]

Belated Happy New Year to all.

 

I was watching BBC Scotland, first 'Queens of the Year' or something like that - well worth watching if you have iplayer, then Hogmanay.  I heard, and saw, some fireworks somewhere in front of my house, then I heard some more from about 00:25 - came upstairs to post this and away from the TV I could hear a lot more bangs until a minute or two ago.

 

Now to go back, top up my alcohol stream, and watch the ceilidh I've recorded from BBC Alba.

 

hic! 🤣

 

Just heard another bang - dunno where they are, can't see any colours in the sky, but as a pet-free person I say - "let them enjoy the noise on this of all nights!"

[Ozexpatriate]

20 minutes ago, zarniwhoop said:

Belated Happy New Year to all.

And to you - though for me the new year rings in about seven hours from now.

 

Happy New Year one and all. I hope 2024 is kind to you all.