Robert Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) According to P&O, it would seem that the sailings to Boulogne are only to clear the backlog of passengers from the Port of Dover itself. Rather ironically, the two companies that the MyFerryLink staff have issues with (DFDS and Eurotunnel) are both operating normally! Eurotunnel because they don't use the Port, and DFDS via Dunkirk. It's a funny old world... Edited to say: I stand corrected - the Channel Tunnel has now been blockaded. The protesters have started a fire on the track Edited June 30, 2015 by Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightengine Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 According to P&O, it would seem that the sailings to Boulogne are only to clear the backlog of passengers from the Port of Dover itself. Rather ironically, the two companies that the MyFerryLink staff have issues with (DFDS and Eurotunnel) are both operating normally! Eurotunnel because they don't use the Port, and DFDS via Dunkirk. It's a funny old world... When I worked on the Calais service, P&O used to take injunctions out against the French to get the problem sorted quickly. Boulogne was always a nicer booze cruise anyway! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 G'day all. Unclean. Still very sick. Still alive - though it doesn't always feel like it. Keep clear until further notice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 .....the summons to the hospital to see the consultant is imminent Jock...Is will be ringing them this morning. In the meantime our motto is straightforward....if in doubt go out, or go on holiday.....this continual distraction ensures that we pass the wait as quickly and in as good a spirits as possible. Is will now go straight to the cancer centre next week to see the oncologist. She has cancer in one breast and several bone areas but not in her major organs. The specialist nurse has several ladies in their 7th and 8th years on the same likely treatment path....therefore we fix on that and take outings and holidays as opportunities arise. A full mastectomy and most likely a hip replacement will feature too. Is's only hint at possible issues on the horizon was a spell of feeling unwell, which she couldn't attribute to anything, last year. No other heralds of this. Dave This is tough stuff, Dave. Breast cancer these days is very survivable, but any spread is less certainly containable. The lack of symptoms is the worst part. Deb's ovarian cancer had virtually no symptoms - other than a slight reduction in appetite a few months earlier, which she attributed to being in a wheelchair. At least Mrs TG has the support of a caring and intelligent husband - and the carer does famously go through it too. Just don't hesitate to pour it all out here. We can't affect outcomes, but may ease the pain when times are tough. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 This is tough stuff, Dave. Breast cancer these days is very survivable, but any spread is less certainly containable. The lack of symptoms is the worst part. Deb's ovarian cancer had virtually no symptoms - other than a slight reduction in appetite a few months earlier, which she attributed to being in a wheelchair. At least Mrs TG has the support of a caring and intelligent husband - and the carer does famously go through it too. Just don't hesitate to pour it all out here. We can't affect outcomes, but may ease the pain when times are tough. In comparison to which my own troubles are mere trifles on the dessert trolley of life. Though to an extent not helped by having an immune system almost wiped out by radiation oncology several years ago. That never restored itself to the previous robust level and I must remember that I am no longer 20 but almost 60 and the wrong side of that hiccup in my health as well. Things which used to self-fix overnight now take a couple of weeks and a lot of over-the-counter medications. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Boulogne was always a nicer booze cruise anyway! Yes - I agree with that! Boulogne is a much nicer town than Calais. Unfortunately, I can't see it as being an alternative to Calais - there is a Pilot boat hanging around near the entrance to the harbour, so I guess the P&O boats are having to be piloted in and out. Plus, I would imagine the harbour is too small for the Spirit class boats. I hope this does get sorted quickly, because what with the migrant issue in Calais and now this industrial action I fear it is only a matter of time before something unsavoury happens. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 Our friend has taken a turn for the worse and now in a hospice with very little time left so rushing off to see him at the moment but get to LBG only for train to be cancelled as after problems at Victoria and Cousldon South there are now problems at Norwood Junction. What a day but my train problems are the minute issue today in comparison. Just doesn't help matters when trying to meet up for a lift to the hospice in middle of nowhere! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixoh8sixoh Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Afternoon all from Scottish HQ! Jock - before I forget, I know Robert has already mentioned this, but Jamie won't grow out of the PKU, but will need to watch her protein intake for life (barring any new developments / drugs / gene therapies etc). There are drugs available in the USA which allow (some - though not all) people with PKU to eat a normal diet, or at least a higher protein diet, but they're not available in the UK at the moment - NICE won't grant them licences over here (yet?) as diet management is a cheaper and more reliable method of control. Day 1 of my 3 day week, so tomorrow's still hump day. I took Jamie and her mum to the hospital yesterday for Jamie's regular consultant appointment, then dropped them off at the station as they're off on holiday. Perth Show on Saturday did yield an etched plaque for the observation car of my Royal Scotsman set. However an article in this month's Hornby Magazine has sparked a thought of something I've been planning for a while but never got round to doing. Space and time are always the constraining factors though! 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Metr0Land Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 According to P&O, it would seem that the sailings to Boulogne are only to clear the backlog of passengers from the Port of Dover itself. Rather ironically, the two companies that the MyFerryLink staff have issues with (DFDS and Eurotunnel) are both operating normally! Eurotunnel because they don't use the Port, and DFDS via Dunkirk. It's a funny old world... Edited to say: I stand corrected - the Channel Tunnel has now been blockaded. The protesters have started a fire on the track Oh wow! Good job we came through from Calais to Folkestone yesterday morning :sungum: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lurker Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 ! Your comment on Alison's intelligent son is interesting - Freddie, our great grandson, is very advanced for a four year old and his nursery school reports an intelligence well above average. Net result of this is that he is to be checked for Autism or ADHD as he is often like the lad in your experience. Strange thing is that, if you give him a difficult task which stretches him, he is no trouble at all so when he stays with us I simply find things to do which will occupy his mind. Makes you wonder if the mis-behaving is a result of boredom or frustration? Interesting indeed Jock. I have come across children where the first sign of ASD was apparent high intelligence; and the ability to concentrate for a long period can also be a sign. But equally I know of intelligent children who became bored and disruptive at school.... Elder Lurker was at the age of 3 really into dinosaurs, so much so that he had memorised the names of several hundred dinosaurs, the period they lived in, whether they were a herbivore or carnivore and whether they were a dinosaur or a close relation. We thought of this as completely normal although our friends with contemporaries at his nursery still look back at that and relate their concern at whether their own children had fallen behind....and EL does not have ASD (although as he gets towards being a teenager we wonder at his seeming lack of social skill). Younger Lurker at that age could barely speak, and had severe social difficulties, and was diagnosed on the spectrum. As he's got older its apparent that he is pretty intelligent (although I'm biased, I'm his Dad), and is starting to work towards level 3 in a lot of areas, which I think is pretty good in year 1. What I am really saying is that at the age of 4, there is a vast difference in ability and maturity and this can be more of a factor than anything else. I can't comment from personal experience on ADHD. however. as an aside, EL once walked down Sidcup high street trying to remember the full name of Pachycephalosaurus. Mrs Lurker was most embarrassed as he asked her inthat loud voice only 3 year olds have "what was that name, Pachy..pachy...pachy...why do I need to be quiet?" 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 Finally made it as far as Gatwick were au bailed as the message was not to go to the hospice but to leave his mum with him alone. So really sad news. Got on a train to head back to ECR but it is fast to Victoria. I am sure it said It was stopping but services up creek at the moment due to power supplies heat speed limits signalling failures. Now to find a train back to ECR where I will meet my other half and bus it home from there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightengine Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Morning all, Somewhat later rising today after yesterday's efforts but no proper job breakfast as I had that yesterday evening! Now to todays's mystery question from the south west. As far as I can trace there never was a halt between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot - the residents of Shaldon petitioned for one at to be provided at Shaldon Bridge but it never was was and equally attempts to get one (much earlier at Bishopsteignton also came to naught although it is just possible that in early SDR days trains did drop off passengers for the archery club in the vicinity of Bishopsteignton although I seriously doubt it was ever shown in the timetable (and delving one out to check is too much of a task at this time of day to be honest - ploughing through an 1850s timetable is not the simplest of tasks). There was also talk of a siding at Bishopsteignton but all it actually got was a signalbox. Now to brighter things - the rain has yet to start but is promised which means attendance to the garden weeds might have to be deferred. Have a good day one & all Checking today,on the upside between 111.75 and 112 mile posts it appears to be a platform of shortish length rather than a signalbox base or pumping station. I couldn't check the downside at the same mile post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ian Abel Posted June 30, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted June 30, 2015 ...I used to lust after Stevie Nicks, and still find her attractive... Jock - Show me anyone (male most likely) of our age group who doesn't agree with this, and I'll show you a liar!! Just wading through all the posts since Saturday...thoughts go out to everyone who is dealing with health challenges of partners and friends, support is always here for you. Good luck with the interview Andy... Hope the above can suffice to cover the issues of the past few days - oh, and feeling for anyone with connections to the terrible attack in Tunisia! <sigh> Our weekend was very enjoyable, mostly visiting with our friends, chatting, and touring the town in Iowa they live in. Tourist attraction type of place in mid-USA given there is a huge lake complex with myriad water activity options. It's a key vacation location for the Iowa "lakes region", and apparently swells from the regular population of about 5,000 "natives", to around 100,000 vacationers from mid-June till the end of August! Result was it WAS crowded, not needing to spend time on the lakes/golf courses meant we weren't that bothered by the crowds though. LUCK had it that we managed to take in the 18th. Annual "Cruise In" car show that lined the main street Saturday evening, managed a tour of the lakes area, AND the local Nature center to see the Osprey nest. A few photos below for a "representative" view... Small cruise ship on lake Okoboji - this is the "Queen II", which has been in service since 1986, and took over from the original steamer "Queen" which retired in 1973 after 89 years! Several cars in the "Cruise In", pretty much anything and everything you felt like showing off was there it seems... Osprey - she has a couple of young and decided to "buzz" us as we walked along the path close by, hence the second photo showing her departing the nest... Couple of "nature" shots, thistles amongst the butterfly garden and a Monarch sunning... Short work week here as Saturday is July 4th. major holiday and celebration. Given it falls on a Saturday, pretty universally everyone gets Friday off for the public holiday. We'll be heading to our lake cabin Thursday evening, but back Saturday afternoon as we have a "4th." party in town that evening! 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 Back again, with the new specs fitted but already in need of adjustment - new glasses are such a job to get them right fpr the first few days - and the second pair are no better, so another trip to the opticians is probably indicated. Back tomorrow, Deo Volente. As usual, greetings to those celebrating, and commiserations to those ailing, caring for the ailing, etc. Not an adequate greeting, I know, as some here really have got a lot more on their plates than I have, and for that I can only apologise, but I have taken on board everything that my fellow ERs have said. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NGT6 1315 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 Afternoon(ish) all. Quite hot already and supposed to increase during the rest of the week. Antihistamines restocked, so hayfever is better already. First driving turns next week will be: Monday - T4D Großzug (two motor cars and one trailer) Tuesday - T4D mini train (one motor dar and one trailer) Wednesday - NGT8 Thursday - Flexity Friday - Leoliner ...all commencing at 4 am. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Jock - Show me anyone (male most likely) of our age group who doesn't agree with this, and I'll show you a liar! I have various Fleetwood Mac records somewhere in my collection but what the singers look like wasn't ever any reason for liking them. While we are on the subject of female vocalists. I was watching some of the Glastonbury festival programme on TV. Aditi wanders in and said "is that Florence and the Machine?". I replied " No, that is Mavis Staples". I think Aditi's musical interests don't wander much away from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Beach Boys and Beatles. Edited June 30, 2015 by Tony_S 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Abel Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Whoops...almost forgot the pretty much mandatory ER "weather report", especially given so many are suffering intense heat and we appear to be basking in far more tolerable conditions for now and the next week apparently... 18 this morning and partly cloudy, expected to reach 26 later, supposed to be about the same all week, then reaching maybe 30 by Sunday! Sounds delightful 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NGT6 1315 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 May I also just post my thoughts for you and yours, Dave... We're here if there's anything you need to talk over. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 Indeed, Dave, we seem to be one of the most supportive bunch anywhere on the web - and long may it continue to be so. Cyber support is always available when needed/wanted. Oh yes, and I saw Fleetwood Mac in 1970 at Strathclyde Uni, the same year I saw Pink Floyd, Ten Years After, and a then little known band called Yes - by crikey these student gigs were good, and I actually met all the bands, as I was roped in as a volunteer to help to lug their equipment up three flights of stairs as some of it wouldn't fit in the lift in the Students' Union. A free gig and meeting the musicians - great. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy2 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I used to listen to Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac in 1968-69 at the Toby Jug at Tolworth. Also Chicken Shack, the Nice and ELP. Jolly, sweaty days... 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightengine Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Yes - I agree with that! Boulogne is a much nicer town than Calais. Unfortunately, I can't see it as being an alternative to Calais - there is a Pilot boat hanging around near the entrance to the harbour, so I guess the P&O boats are having to be piloted in and out. Plus, I would imagine the harbour is too small for the Spirit class boats. I hope this does get sorted quickly, because what with the migrant issue in Calais and now this industrial action I fear it is only a matter of time before something unsavoury happens. We used to get into Boulogne with the old POB (sister to the ill fated Herald) but I am not sure that the old Pride of Calais and the stretched (old) Pride of Kent could get in. Maybe my memory fails me there! Used to go on the Pride of Walmer. What a little ship that was! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold grandadbob Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 I regret to say that the bad news we have been expecting has been officially confirmed that Jan & John Stocker were among those killed in Tunisia. .Jan was a lovely friendly lady who always managed to make me smile on the occasions I met her. Chris has known her for about thirty years and we had something in common with grandchildren in the same year at school. They will be sadly missed by all who knew them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NGT6 1315 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 Dreadful news indeed, Bob. Thinking of you and of course Jan and John's family... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) Bob - so sorry about that bad news, and there is not a lot that one can say at this stage about this atrocity. Of course, our virtual support is with you and Chris and also with Jan and John's family. It might not be much, but it's the best that we can offer to our online friends, and as I said to Dave, we are a pretty remarkable bunch here in ERs. Best wishes Stewart Edited June 30, 2015 by 45156 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted June 30, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 30, 2015 Checking today,on the upside between 111.75 and 112 mile posts it appears to be a platform of shortish length rather than a signalbox base or pumping station. I couldn't check the downside at the same mile post. Alas I can't find any record of there ever being anything like a platform in that vicinity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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