Early Risers.

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, Hroth said:

it certainly looks like something that comes out of Dapol using the old Airfix tooling....

I have no idea if that is a good thing or not!

 

 

 

If this is a better guide, here's a ute, part of a long term  collaboration with another rmweber who is providing me the details I need to draw it up in Blender and print it,

 

 

 

 

and an N scale brick test piece drawn up in Sketchup (I've learned which 3D tools to use for what!).   Bricks are 1.5mm by 0,5mm, mortar gaps are 0.1mm, painted using that nifty battery powered airbrush I got last week, mortar is spakfilla rubbed into the joints,, slight practice-weathering applied, I need to brush up (LOL!) on my painting skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 If you can draw it up in 3D, you can print it -  5 stars. 

Edited May 8 by monkeysarefun

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. The postie delivered a package earlier. It contained a new pair of slippers, the old ones are beginning to look a bit tatty so I decided on a new pair, £50 including postage. That might seem a lot but I require a broad fitting. Also the old ones are over three years old and apart from being a bit grubby have worn well. The slippers I have had before at £10-£12 a pair have lasted a little more than 6 months before they disintegrate.

[jjb1970]

Something very noticeable in Singapore, supported by statistics, is how obesity rates seem linked to ethnicity. About 21% of Malay people are obese, 15% for Indian people and 6% Chinese. I know this is a topic which has to be treated sensitively, but there do seem to be lifestyle habits among Malay Singaporeans which lead to much higher obesity rates and among Indians to a lesser degree. However I suspect that ones a hand grenade.

 

Two things which probably help healthcare are that alcohol consumption is very modest by European standards and smoking rates quite low (actually that's an indicator the UK scores pretty well compared to many countries).

 

Diet is mixed, UHP are much less prevalent but people eat loads of carbohydrates and fried food. 

 

A statistic which is interesting is very low infant mortality. I don't know if they calculate it using the same criteria as European countries (are there WHO guidelines?) but Singapore has a very low infant mortality rate.

[southern42]

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

Cloudy but bright. 15.4C.

After a couple of enjoyable weekends playing unmentionables* with  and meeting up with a friend for a chat over brunch (i.e., getting in the carpark early to get a space!), I went down with a cold for the first time in years! <<Aaaaaghhhhh....chooooooooo.....sniff sniff...>>

I am still struggling but I will get over it! Despite all, toot on the flute is plodding along nicely, if not, just a bit laboured but anything else took a back seat and I took to the sofa to watch some coloured balls flying across a green bed and down/not down a hole of choice or otherwise on the telly. All over now, so catching up on some flute student videos instead.

 

* Jones and his latest Journeys.

 

Take care. Be good. Avoid those incapacitating bugs...

Polly

 

 

 

Edited May 8 by southern42

[PhilJ W]

56 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Yes it is a lot of fun, and sometimes embarrassing. When I started looking into my family tree I discovered one of my great grandmothers had the maiden name of Mogg. Being such an unusual surname I started tracing it back and got as far back as my 3X great grandfather a farmer living in Podimore, Somerset in the early 19th century. I was using Genes reunited through which you can compare family trees so I looked for the surname Mogg in the surrounding villages and contacted the owners of the family trees. One of the first I contacted replied that her 3X great grandfather was a brother of my 3X great grandfather and whats more she sent me a copy of the Mogg family tree dating back to Tudor times when the name was 'invented'. It was adopted by a father and son originally named Keen in the mid 1550's when Mary Tudor was on the throne.

Further to the above, another ancestor was tasked with spying on the poet Wordsworth at the time of the French revolution. This was because Wordsworth was making frequent trips to Paris only then it was discovered that Wordsworth was visiting his French mistress Annette Vallon. 

[DaveF]

This morning I decided to head north along the coast to Newbiggin by the Sea for a walk and coffee.  I parked and thought the car park looked a bit full, normally it is busy when cars reach double figures.  Then I realised there were a lot of suits and black ties about.  Looking at the church there was a hearse and a fire engine with a lot of senior fire service staff in their best uniforms.  I had my walk and made a detour past the few shops in the place, many were shut as it is Wednesday - and those which open don't do so until 11a.m. - but the food ones were open.  As a result I didn't manage to buy any "antiques" etc.  I've never understood the on street parking - most people park nose in at an angle with about 3' of car sticking out ino the road.  A few park with the front of the car on the pavement so the car doesn't stick out into the road.

 

I arrived at the Maritime Centre right by the beach in nice time for coffee, went in and placed my order and sat down for the coffee and scone to brought to me - only £4-60.  Looking round I thought all the customers looked old - then I remembered that I probably look just the same to them.  Most were local people talking Northumbrian which can be even harder to understand than Geordie.

 

After that I called at a garden centre on the way home and bought some plants.  Since lunch I have pottered in the garden and got things ready to plant the begonias tomorrow.  I've also done more work on the family photos. Now I feel very tired, I should have just sat down this afternoon.

 

David

[New Haven Neil]

The bike ride went well, but had a modelling disaster later - facts on Night Mail.

 

17c now but it has been overcast all day, a shame as it showed promise of actually feeling really nice.

 

We still have a cottage hospital down the road in the Bright Lights of Royal Ramsey, but only because there was a huge outcry and massive (by our standards) protest with petitions etc when the Govt tried to close it about 10 years ago.  It proved its worth many times, especially during covid, but I think it only still exists because of covenants on money donated to build it.  There's only one other hospickle, in the Big City,  which is the usual general but failing job.  Mrs NHN currently is under investigations for a 'marker' from a test that basically indicates she should be dying of bowel cancer if not dead already as it is so high, but they can't find anything after many tests, some invasive.  But trying to get the hospital to communicate with the GP is just a nightmare.  In the meantime she doesn't even feel ill.....

[southern42]

Just been down to the bottom of the garden to catch the bluebells before they start dying off.

They are doing well this year...and so are the weeds by the looks of it!

 

The winds of two weeks ago knocked the peonies for six but they seem to be ok.

The irises look rather moth-eaten, only one of the half dozen seems to be in bud,* and getting crowded out by the variegated grass (a thug but I do like it). 

* There were only two irises last year so maybe they will flower next year.

 

Soon as I get on my feet again, I know what I shall be grabbing - the garden tools!

 

[DaveF]

I've just sorted out the photos I took while I was at Newbiggin by the Sea this morning, here are a few of them.

 

 

A coble, still used for fishing.  They are becoming rare but are still found in Northumberland, I see one most of the times I go to look at the sea.

 

The Bay at Newbiggin around low tide.

 

Miniature version of "The Couple" sculpture looking out to sea from just behind the promenade.

 

Newbiggin by the Sea breakwaters.  The full size "The Couple" can be seen on the white structure on the far breakwater.

 

David

[polybear]

6 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Perhaps it is time to consider reprising the 10 to 20 bed local cottage hospital.

 

 

Unfortunately the bright sparks have flogged off all the land for housing......

 

3 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

When I started looking into my family tree I discovered one of my great grandmothers had the maiden name of Mogg. Being such an unusual surname I started tracing it back and got as far back as my 3X great grandfather a farmer living in Podimore, Somerset in the early 19th century. 

 

Bear used to regularly stay at a Farm B&B in Podimore in the 90's & 00's; the place is so tiny that I wonder if it might just be the same Farm?  The Family name was Crane when I was there.

 

39 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Mrs NHN currently is under investigations for a 'marker' from a test that basically indicates she should be dying of bowel cancer if not dead already as it is so high, but they can't find anything after many tests, some invasive.  

 

Book, Play, Film, T-shirt.....

Bear was also checked out back in 2020 after unexplained weight loss without even trying (as in 8Kg over a few months).  Failed the test, urgent scan showed enlarged transverse bowel (the GP basically told me "....it looks like you've got....." ) just a few days before Chrimbo - on my next visit into the Beary Shed & Loft I stared at the contents and thought "F***, who's gonna sort this lot??"  Oh yes, and I'd not long started "The Great Kitchen Refurb" - which was now a pile of rubble, bare brick walls and no Kitchen.....

A rush camera jobbie in January (I was the last thru' the unit before it was shut down - lack of staff due to Covid n' all that) revealed......bvggerall.  Big Smiles all round......

 

As for the weight loss - who knows....bluddy good way to diet in this Bear's Book though.....

Edited May 8 by polybear

[polybear]

Bear here.....

 

Hospice Warehouse again today - all good fun as always.  I also experienced an Earth Tremor as I had an early morning wander around Morrysuns pre-Warehouse, resulting in two packs of Donuts falling into the Trolley.  Oops.  Still, "The A Team" at the W/H came to the rescue by helping to scoff them, so no harm done.

By all accounts the Warehouse was absolutely manic yesterday - four hundred donations in a day, no doubt the result of SWMBO's telling Hubby to get the Loft & Garage cleared out over the B/H weekend....

 

ION.....

Oh so wrong - for numerous reasons.  T0ssers:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm540ev5llro

 

BG

[Gwiwer]

Evening all. 
 

A big day here. An early start saw me in Helston for breakfast and the early morning dance of Flora Day. Followed by the raucous Hal-an-Tow pageant wherein St George slays the dragon, the Spanish invaders are taunted and St Michael - patron saint of Helston - arrives to make all things right.
 

The children’s dance followed and then the Mid-day Dance - the main event.  This is the one where bandsmen and dancers snake their way along a traditional route into houses and shops, out the back and return to the streets via the next property.
 

They are bringing in the summer.
 

I was bringing in the ales in between dances including the annual “breakfast beer” as the pubs are open from 6am. On-street and throughout-town drinking is not only permitted but widely indulged in. Though the local constabulary will swiftly intervene if an individual is really misbehaving.
 

It can get a little crazy. It’s fun. It’s been a perfect day for it too with hazy sun and modest temperatures.
 

My now 40 year-old T-shirt was worn.  It’s very probably the last of its ilk as only 50 were printed as a hand-made special one year. Today I met a chap who introduced himself with the words “**** Me”. Followed by “My ex-missus made those on my kitchen table!”  He hasn’t seen her nor another of the shirts these past 15 years. 
 

Small world though. 
 

If you watch the video it’s 15 minutes and might become tedious but it is a complete record of all the Mid-day dancers and bands. The co-ordination between the two bands is remarkable even if that between the dancers doesn’t always match!! 
 

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Bear used to regularly stay at a Farm B&B in Podimore in the 90's & 00's; the place is so tiny that I wonder if it might just be the same Farm?  The Family name was Crane when I was there.

I went there just after I retired 16 years ago to have a look around. I've no idea what farm it was there are several in the village. I had a look in the church but the headstones had been removed and placed around the walls and most of them were unreadable being badly eroded.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I'm wearing the new slippers and they are very cosy and comfortable. Now time for a cuppa.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Coombe Barton]

... Today I have written and circulated what some may describe as a rant on the way we should approach digital literacy ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2024/05/08/astrazeneca-vaccine-withdrawal-a-rant-admin/

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

All went well at the surgery this morning. I arrived a few minutes early and was seen on time for a change. Before I had my injection, I had my blood pressure checked, 114/70, which apparently is very good, especially as I’d walked it there (1/2 mile there and back) and not rested for more than a couple of minutes! Appointments have been made for my next injection and also for my next blood test. 

 

Once home I made myself a muggertea and headed off outside with every intention of doing some gardening. However, I ended up tidying the shed as it was getting quite full. It now looks a lot better and I can at least get in and retrieve any power tool now, without having to move the wheelbarrow out of the way, which is a result. 

 

After dinner, I spent an hour or so in the workshop, doing a bit more work on the small industrial locomotive. Today I fixed the chassis securing bits to the metal footplate and made a new footplate overlay. The next stage will be to glue the new footplate down and add some tool boxes etc. Although I’m using an old Hornby locomotive and an upgrade kit, it’ll be more a freelance engine, so I’m not too bothered about it looking prototypical, it’s more a case of whatever takes my fancy. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[pH]

Apparently my phone can transcribe voice messages - I did not know that!

 

It has just transcribed a message for me. It said:
 

“Call UPS quality teaching in the quality I would intentional high link cheating on bought your car and we need for king back you waiting for…”

 

I felt I had to hear the original of such an interesting message, so played back the stored version - it was in Chinese (quite common in ‘cold’ calls here).

[polybear]

Bear's Thought for the Day......

 

A Goalie in a Footie Team just isn't allowed to say "Buggerritt, this lot's cr@p so I'm off to help the Guy at the other end".

 

Yet it seems that if you work in the Big House you can do just that - as a certain person did just yesterday.  Still, as she played on the Dover & Deal Team she didn't have the greatest record in the World at stopping 'em coming in.......

 

Is that A Rant?

 

Yes, I think it probably is.

 

BG

[jjb1970]

My own view is that any MP crossing the floor should resign and stand for re-election.  I know that constitutionally we vote for an MP, not a party, but in reality most people vote for a political party and candidates stand based on a manifesto offering.  If an MP decides their party is a sack of faeces that's fine, but the honorable thing to do is resign and let voters decide if they still want to be represented by that person.

[Ozexpatriate]

7 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

My own view is that any MP crossing the floor should resign and stand for re-election.  I know that constitutionally we vote for an MP, not a party, but in reality most people vote for a political party and candidates stand based on a manifesto offering.  If an MP decides their party is a sack of faeces that's fine, but the honorable thing to do is resign and let voters decide if they still want to be represented by that person.

I have not looked up any recent crossing of floors but in the abstract, MPs should represent their constituency. They should vote for what their constituents want - not what the party whips want them to do. That is what representative democracy is about.

 

There is way to much partisan politics today with representatives deliberately following party orthodoxy over what the people actually want.

[jjb1970]

20 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I have not looked up any recent crossing of floors but in the abstract, MPs should represent their constituency. They should vote for what their constituents want - not what the party whips want them to do. That is what representative democracy is about.

 

There is way to much partisan politics today with representatives deliberately following party orthodoxy over what the people actually want.

 

This is the underlying principle of the British parliamentary system, we vote for an MP who represents us. However, in practice all MP's associated with a political party stand on the manifesto of that party and all their election materials and soapbox talks are based on that line. Crucially, the party is on the ballot paper, I'm assuming here which is a bad thing to do but I am pretty certain that the vast majority of voters look at the party political affiliation when looking for which box to tick, not the candidate name. Which does raise the question of legitimacy and respect for the electorate that if a candidate sells themselves as 'vote for me and Party A because we'll do X' then jumps to party B saying it'll do Y. In reality it really doesn't make much difference as on foreign policy the parties are pretty much fully aligned and on economic policy one if slightly right/left of the other but in reality offering the same but there's a principle of honouring the basis on which they were elected.

 

Where it is different is emerging issues. There are several huge issues today which could not have formed part of an election offering in 2019, in those cases I think MP's should consult with constituents and take a pulse, but also apply their own judgement. In reality, the vast majority are just lobby fodder doing what the whips demand and in some cases senior MPs actually celebrate politicians having the courage to ignore their voters which is essentially a refutation of democratic principles.

[jamie92208]

19 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

I used the Ancestry site to do my family tree on my maternal side(my Dad was not British until later in his life, so difficult to do), be aware that when using other peoples input you will find many mistakes, some of my living relatives got things wrong on their pages. It is fun, but without paying for a lot of extras you will hit brick walls and may have to go to archives, libraries and churches to find more accurate details. If you go back a couple of hundred years, some of those documents are really difficult to read, the writing and wording is quite different. Go back further(as I did) and you will need to know a lot of latin too, have fun, I did.

My father did a lot of family tree research after he retired using manual methods. One of his sources was the local LDS(Mormon) centre in Huddersfield.  Initially he found it useful then started cross checking. After that he only used it sparingly.  He wondered if the motivation for the original research was to blame. 

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from rant land.  Yesterday morning we set off for Beth's first Physio session. Booked several weeks ago before her op.  We were surprised at the date as yesterday was a bank holiday, but that was what he had written.  We got there and it was all shut up.  Obviously a mistake.  Today is also a public holiday (Ascension Day) so no joy today.  Tomorrow morning I wilbe there at 0900 to demand an appointment as it'rather urgent for  Beth to have the Physio.  She is doing what the hospital physio prescribed. Neither of us were happy. 

 

Anyway the sun is shining.  My first task will be to shovel up the molehills on the big grass area. The soil will then be used to bank up the potatoes.  This afternoon the grass will be mown. 

 

Jamie