Early Risers.

[Grizz]

1 minute ago, iL Dottore said:

Ended up as Bear scat.....

(after CC had finished educating her about something called "proper patient care" - with a big stick.... with a nail in the end of it....)

Ah….So she found out the hard way then….that it’s not just the woods that bears s£it in….it’s hospitals as well! 
 

Another successful candidate processed through the re-education program….I am sooooo proud to part of this service to humanity. 
 

Oooooo and please do pass on my thanks to CC for including me as part of this team…..must admit I’m rather enjoying it. Nothing really really like frightening people in positions of power. Even if that power is only in their own head. 
 

Right so who’s next? 
 

 

 

 

[Grizz]

Got to go…inspections await. 
 

Good luck @Dave Hunt….give em hell. 

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I presume you are talking about larger documents rather than a boarding pass and itinerary.

 

A paper boarding pass or ticket can be lost, but depending on what apps you are willing to load, can be much more convenient. I recently had electronic tickets to an indoor sporting event. Every time I needed to present my ticket (which was much more often than I supposed*) the telephone had turned off, disconnecting the internet connection required to access the tickets via a web portal. Plus the ticket scanner was very fussy reading an electronic image. A paper ticket would have been sooo much more convenient. 

 

* Perhaps four times to get to my seat.

 

Without my big monitor, I prefer to read documents on paper - though I would rarely need to do this enroute and never print long documents (of more than a few pages).

 

I still prefer to read printed books and travel with them. Undoubtedly some sort of tablet has many advantages compared with carrying around a doorstop book, but I'm no longer any sort of road warrior.

Likewise, I prefer paper, I printed a ferry ticket yesterday.   Last year on my Swiss trip, I had to use the electronic version of a Eurail pass.  When on WiFi it was brilliant but when the connection dropped out I was almost stuffed. I did manage to save the screen a few times which worked with the ticket Inspectors. 

 

Jamie

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Positive thoughts to @Dave Hunt.. hope it gets sorted pdq.. nut.. I am still editing from an ecg scan last December which means I have a very large travel insurance quote which will only reduce when the consultant remembers he needs to action these..pah!

 

Great day yesterday. Progress on layout made by red leader..food and tea were consumed and even the sun came out for a while.

 

I really don't get the need for AI generated pictures.. must be my engineering brain is not switched on by them.. but other ERs seem to have the same opinion when I PM them to find out why they are missing.... just saying....

 

Long and busy day ahead so..

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

 

 

[iL Dottore]

4 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

I hope Dave Hunt is feeling better!

 

Unfortunately there's a culture of 'it's free what are you complaining about' when it comes to the NHS. And because the NHS  is pretty much a form of religious faith rational discussion is difficult. Of course it isn't  free, free at point of delivery yes but it accounts for a significant part of payments levied by the government.

This is exactly why the NHS will never improve, no matter how much money you throw at it.

 

Of course more money will help, there’s no health system in the world that couldn’t do with more money, but the problems in the NHS go beyond mere financing. When you have a corporate culture that savagely persecutes whistle blowers, protects top management who preside over the most appalling healthcare scandals and who never apologise or admit to mistakes, then something is truly amiss.

 

It has been said that the NHS is the last of the 1948 nationalised dinosaurs, where Whitehall knows best, the service is run for the benefit of its management not the patients and you have to be jolly thankful for what crumbs they deign to condescend to give you. 

 

It’s the fifth largest state employer in the world (after the Indian MoD, the US DoD, the Chinese PLA and China National Petroleum). The NHS spend per person in 2021 was about £4,266, (the average Swiss health insurance premium for 2024 will be about SFr 4320/year [about £3770] - with better and faster access to care and better outcomes). 
 

Unfortunately, no-one in UK politics is willing to take off their rose tinted glasses and have a proper grown up conversation about the role, purpose, structure and future of the NHS - something that is long overdue.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

4 hours plus 4 hours solid sleep, I needed that.

 

Ben the I'd like out Collie, took me on patrol , he seemed happy enough, but kept returning to me for a head polish.

100% blue Welkin, fairly cool. The first bluebell has opened, other plants, I have no idea what they are , are in flower. The grass is of course very wet and getting too long.

 

The site is slow again, it took several attempts to get on this page.

 

Plans for today,

Sanding the loom, make a couple of pieces to hold the loom at the right angles.

Investigate how to actually purchase card reader for the MRC.

 

Time for a muggacoffee.

 

 

 

[The Lurker]

17 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Some of the small supermarkets seem to have security in the evening. Though some of them don’t look very “secure”. There was one at the small Sainsbury once who clearly decided to tail me. It was so funny I went up and down the grocery aisle a few times while he attempted to be be stealthy. Do they get set exercises in following on security NVQ courses?

There’s one who hovers near the small wine section in our local Waitrose. He shuffles nearer if you pick up a bottle to read the back label.

[DaveF]

The morning started sunny but once again cloud is arriving, doubtless it will rain by teatime.

 

Yesterday evening I sorted out more photos from albums to go in the bin.  I also finished copying files so now I have at leat 4 electronic copies of everything (more if you count older hard drives which are full and safely stored, they still work).  I also tried looking at the some of the photos on the PC screen, they are a lot better than postcard size prints.  So the thinning out process will continue over the coming days/weeks/months*  (*pick which you think is most likely as a time scale).  A few prints which have sentimental value will be kept in a nice album as well.

 

Later today more things I moved before surgery will go back into their proper places, it is nice having a less cluttered house.  The wheelie bins will go back in the garage which means I can put the car further down the drive which I prefer.  It is odd, my house has two bedrooms and a drive long enough for two big cars, the three bedroomed houses along the road have a drive just long enough for one car.  It is now almost 8 weeks since surgery, so it should be OK.

 

Shortly I shall go for a quick walk then I am expecting Royal Mail to deliver a parcel.  After more than 10 attempts to track it on the Royal Mail website it finally stopped saying there was a problem and told me it should be delivered today, but no time specified - usually it gives a time slot.  I no longer trust Royal Mail at all....now I wonder why?...

 

Apart from that not much is planned.  

 

I've had another think about the garden and have decided simple to cut back the heathers rather than pay someone to dig them out.  After all in the wild heathers regenerate well after cutting or burning, so why not in a garden?  I am not sure gardening books always give good advice.  Many say lavenders do not regenerate from old wood, in fact they often do.

 

David

[Winslow Boy]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

This is exactly why the NHS will never improve, no matter how much money you throw at it.

 

Of course more money will help, there’s no health system in the world that couldn’t do with more money, but the problems in the NHS go beyond mere financing. When you have a corporate culture that savagely persecutes whistle blowers, protects top management who preside over the most appalling healthcare scandals and who never apologise or admit to mistakes, then something is truly amiss.

 

It has been said that the NHS is the last of the 1948 nationalised dinosaurs, where Whitehall knows best, the service is run for the benefit of its management not the patients and you have to be jolly thankful for what crumbs they deign to condescend to give you. 

 

It’s the fifth largest state employer in the world (after the Indian MoD, the US DoD, the Chinese PLA and China National Petroleum). The NHS spend per person in 2021 was about £4,266, (the average Swiss health insurance premium for 2024 will be about SFr 4320/year [about £3770] - with better and faster access to care and better outcomes). 
 

Unfortunately, no-one in UK politics is willing to take off their rose tinted glasses and have a proper grown up conversation about the role, purpose, structure and future of the NHS - something that is long overdue.

I'm afraid that the NHS operates precisely like a 'closed shop' - fiercely protective of it's on, unwilling to make any serious changes and 'money hungry'. It has in some ways become very much like one of those large businesses that are too important and too powerful to be allowed to fail- hence the throw more money at it. Short of something truly calamitous happening- 3 rd world war anyone, it will continue to be treated as an indulgent child.

[jamie92208]

Can I add my voice to Baz's comment about AI pictures.  To be blunt I'm fed up of them and just skip the posts. 

 

Jamie. Is that a rant. 

Edited April 10 by jamie92208

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Well, it’s not raining at the moment, but it looks like it could do so at any moment. If the rain holds off, I might try to straighten up one of the bird boxes I put up a couple of weeks ago. It’s currently leaning at a rather odd angle, probably due to all the strong gusts of wind we’ve had over the last few days. If it does rain, then I’ve a few items to unpack in the office and then I’ll head to the workshop, to hopefully finish off making that 3 way point. 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[PhilJ W]

4 hours ago, polybear said:

Prime candidates for a meeting with Reggie the Rope.....

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68774242

 

If they don't get sentences of at least 10+ years then there really is no justice.  Personally I'd be saying that if they don't name names and refund oodles of cash then it's a whole-life, very hard labour visit - with no chance of parole, telly, visitors, pizza, curly fries, beans.....

And DEFINITELY no Cake......

I'm opposed to the death sentence, even for the most heinous crimes. A famous judge* once said it's better that ten guilty men go free than an innocent man be hung. My suggestion would be that in such cases as the above where the public purse has been robbed there will be punitive sentences, twenty years minimum and no parole until all the stolen money has been recovered. Also in such cases they should be billed for bed and board** while they are in jail, welcome to the Hotel Pentonville (other 'hotels' are available).

*I can't remember the name of the judge, perhaps an ER can tell me.

**The Home Office bills innocent victims of miscarriages of justice for bed and board while they were in jail. They are just as bad as the NHS if not worse when it comes to procrastination, think the Windrush scandal.

Edited April 10 by PhilJ W

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a bad night last night, only a couple of calls from bladder control. I didn't wake up until nearly eight o'clock, my internal body clock still hasn't gone forward yet.

[jjb1970]

You can't correct a miscarriage of justice after executing the wrong person.

[Gwiwer]

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

I really don't get the need for AI generated pictures.. must be my engineering brain is not switched on by them.. but other ERs seem to have the same opinion when I PM them to find out why they are missing.... just saying....

Clever and skilful use of some software which I appreciate at that level.  Perhaps easing back on them might help the server load as well?  

 

In other news it's thickly misterous, werry vet and no doubt deeply fogsome up over the moors.  I'll find out how bad in an hour or so on my way to the awl-inspiring club.  

 

And in other other news you know you're getting older when you spend an hour grovelling about in the loft (which is rather tiny but acts as the rolling-stock store), finally return with what you sought and have put the ladder away and closed the hatch.  And then you look for your glasses ................. 

 

........... which turned out to be perched on a bookshelf and not back up in the loft as I had feared!  

[Ohmisterporter]

I would also like to add my views on the NHS but not at the present time. Kath still in hospital with a diagnosis of excess fluid on the brain. More scans today and no surprise that her blood pressure is rising again. She is now in a room with five other patients; some whom like to live their lives surrounded by noise. Tellies on from seven am with no use of headphones so the sound shared with every other patient. Oh for single rooms for all! At least the NHS seems to have finally moved on from mixed gender rooms.

We all want to avoid going in so stay safe all. 

[PupCam]

Morning!

 

5 hours ago, polybear said:

@Dave Hunt:  I'd be more than tempted to be on the phone to your Surgeon's Medical Secretary at 0900 and just let her know what's been going on - I very much suspect it'll be fed up the chain PDQ and certain people will spend their lunch hour doing a bit of self-administered surgery by sewing up a new orifice they weren't born with.....

 

Good luck with that.    My original surgeon's medical secretary had an answerphone with pre-recorded message/menu.   If you persisted with a "No, I want to speak to you" option a further recorded message was issued "Mailbox full - Good bye"  followerd by "Click,    Brrrrrr".     Happened numerous times so it wasn't just a one-off due to exceptional circumstances.

 

I've said it numerous times;  the NHS is one heck of a Curate's Egg!

 

48 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

You can't correct a miscarriage of justice after executing the wrong person.

 

True but,  the problem there is with the justice system not the punishment.    Fix the justice system and retain the deterrent ......  

 

Anyway, you can never "fix" miscarriages of justice, e.g. tell that to Sub-postmasters.   Those that sadly were forced to take their own lives through absolutely no fault of their own because both the organisation and justice system were seriously flawed can not now undo their actions.    And for those that didn't, once a life is wrecked you can't make out as if it never happened with any amount of compensation.   

 

ION

 

Travel planning for my trip "up the smoke" underway (to see my very good consultants as it happens).     Revised plans will mean a trip to St Evenage rather than Hitchin to catch a train that will get me there in good time and not cost two arms & two legs.    I'm prepared to drive the extra few miles to halve my rail travel costs whilst retaining at least one option if the only train that would get me there in time is cancelled (Yes, I know they never do that ...)

 

Seems like we are out to lunch down the pub today with niece and nephew-in-law.  Should be good.

 

TTFN

 

[Flanged Wheel]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

I'm opposed to the death sentence, even for the most heinous crimes. A famous judge* once said it's better that ten guilty men go free than an innocent man be hung.

 

*I can't remember the name of the judge, perhaps an ER can tell me.

 

T’was William Blackstone in “Commentaries on the Laws of England” back in 1769.

 

I’m currently in Cambodia where the former leader Pol Pot once decreed that it was better an innocent man arrested than a guilty man go free so other views are available although not necessarily from individuals that are renowned for their balanced views on law and order…!

[monkeysarefun]

 

 

It was a bit of a downer of a drive to work this morning. First I came upon a P plate   driver who had pulled up just beside a large wombat that was dead in the middle of the road. I asked if she had hit it because they'll total your car but she hadn't, she just wanted to move it aside. I gave her a hand after we checked for any joeys in the pouch and we placed it over the other side of the guard rail.

 

Then about 20 minutes later a small kangaroo hopped out into the path of the car in front of me. The driver had no time to evade and the roo got skittled.

 

Its carnage out there sometimes.,

[Erichill16]

1 hour ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

Its carnage out there sometimes.,

Cant agree more. 
Badgers, hedgehogs and pheasants here.

Really sad especially if they’ve got young at home. 
Cant dwell on it too much.

 

Edited April 10 by Erichill16

[New Haven Neil]

Well that was the morning that was.

 

Up and out early doors as we needed to be in the Big City at our preferred tyre place - opens 0830, boss guy there (a biker friend) said be there before 8, and boy was he right - 10 other vehicles there by opening time.

 

So once the melee of folk trying to push ahead of their place in the queue was sorted (funny how that seems to come with premium brand cars) we went off for a brew while two new tyres were fitted to the front of our camper van.  Called back 10.30 and the job was done, but they had fitted four new and rather expensive tyres - the rear ones were new last year!  Perplexed look from the fitter, until we pointed out the job card in his hand was for the other camper in the queue, not ours......oops.  So then they had to find our tyres and refit and rebalance them and put the others on the other vehicle.  At least we got a bit more discount.

 

Boy was it wet too, a miserable cold windy morning.

 

re the AI stuff - it was funny when new, but is getting repetitive and boring now.  Like others have mentioned, I am aware it has become a reason some other ER's are staying away.

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

Loom sanded fitted to stand to find....

I'd ordered the wrong bolts, replacements ordered.

Loom examined by SWMBO, modifications ordered for tomorrow..

 

Went to look at card reader that I wished to get for the MRC to find the company had discontinued it. That started the go round the models and all the makes loop again

Discovered the following...

If you drop a card reader it becomes a brick, they won't replace it, you'll have to buy another.

If you let a card reader discharge, it becomes a brick, they won't replace it, you'll have to buy another.

And the big one for us..

If you don't use the card reader often enough, it becomes a brick they won't replace it, you'll have to buy another.

All the above applies on the pay as you go accounts, not necessarily to the accounts you pay monthly for, but they are way too expensive for the club.

 

They tell you about dropping it, it becoming a brick, they tell you to keep it charged, but not that it becomes a brick if not.

They don't tell you if you don't use it often enough they close the account and brick the reader.. I found that out from reviews, nor do they tell you the time period......

Anyway the current best solution is the Sumup Solo, which if I get it , I'll keep it alive by charging £1 to a credit card to it once a week. Which will cost the club 84.64p a year..

Final review tomorrow morning, then I'll gather the info needed to set up the account, then order it.

 

The last bit of boat stuff ordered is still in the lost land of herpes.

 

Took Ben for his long walk, he insisted on his full route. Lots of insects around, several flutterbies yellow, blue and red admiral. Four ducklings on a pond, no sign of parents.

 

Time to think of something to eat..

 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. I was contemplating going out this afternoon until the hay fever hit, sneezing, watering eyes the lot. At least the eyes have stopped watering but the nose is still blocked up so shortly I'll take a little eyelid inspection. 

Edited April 10 by PhilJ W

[PeterBB]

Got through quicker today ... for some reason the system would not allow anty comment.  Closed and just to porove a point signed in again and ... it took me to the first 2009 page but sci then allow me to the end and hence this comment.

 Odd bits remembered:

Much prefer paper; A! sems to be the in-thing that cannot distinguish between correct/incorrect; right/wrong; true/false; actual/made-up.

Conclusion - generally cannot be trusted but 'proper use' e.g histology departments - great.

[Erichill16]

Afternoon all, Taken mil out to the greasy spoon cafe in Fox Valley for the first time in weeks. 
Decided Id stay with swbo at mils to give her some morale support. They’re doing a jigsaw while I'm sat in a rocking chair wrapped up in a dingle blanket. FFS I’m not even sixty yet.