Early Risers.

[AndyID]

1 hour ago, southern42 said:

 

...and I do wonder about this on my biscuit tin (Christmas present of shortbread biscuits)...

Any idea what it is?    

The closest I can get to it is Russian: 

 

 

I would think French, particularly with that smokebox door.

 

(The gauge looks too narrow for Russia )

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone

 

This morning’s shopping trip was uneventful, I left home about 9:50 and got back just after 11:00. 

 

The plans for this afternoon didn’t change and so we had a very relaxing afternoon. I sat at the table with the old laptop and played about with a crocodile clips software and a couple of short circuit protection designs. 

 

James and Amelia called round for tea just after 4:15, he was a lot earlier than usual and caught me packing up the laptop. She was her usual quite self whilst James was his normal self, bemoaning the state of the country. Although things seem to be looking up as he now has a new girlfriend and they’re both off to York next week.

 

Once James and Amelia had left for home, we had a quick tidy up and then I opened up a chilled bottle of wine, White for a change and very nice it was too.

 

Goodnight all 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all.

[Ozexpatriate]

More weird summer weather in the Northwest today - cloudy with occasional (very) light drizzle. It's nice, around 27°C right now. It keeps the temperatures down and helps reduce wildfire danger. The heavy overcast is less inspiring than blue skies though.

 

We're expecting a warm sunny weekend with highs on Sunday hitting 34°C.

 

I've been trying to book air tickets home to visit relatives in Australia. I didn't want to deal with multiple different airline reservation web portals and had a positive experience with a travel agency (part of the AAA, roughly the US equivalent to organizations like the RAC) when booking flights last year for my son and daughter-in-law. 

 

Not so much this time.  We will converge on a solution eventually but it has taken a more than week of back and forth, first dealing with an agent who was not permitted to book international travel and then with mismatched schedules between me and an international agent. (There were days where I was too busy and unavailable this week.) Oddly AAA will not book flights on QANTAS which leaves Air Canada and Virgin Australia as my alternatives if I use the agent. I'm leaning to Air Canada. Changing planes in YVR is much easier than LAX.

 

I am also anxious to get my car examined. I had a semi-urgent oil change a couple of weeks ago. At almost 16 years old, at least some oil is disappearing out the tail pipe (there are no leaks) and quite suddenly after purring along for months, with braking or an abrupt turn I will get low oil pressure indications where historically I never did. When the oil was changed the serpentine belts were identified as needing replacement. They're probably "OK" but the idea of losing the serpentine belt does not appeal. That idea is in my head each time I get in the car. My work schedule has made it awkward to drop the car off. I shall have to make this happen soon, for my peace of mind, if nothing else.

 

A good weekend to everyone.

[BR60103]

It's nice to be able to put a grin on Coombe Barton's post.

 

we had a day touring with elderly cousin.  Looked into a new library, then lunch in a restaurant that was almost too fancy to be edible. Missed banking as the branch we aimed at has turned into a credit union (==building society?).  Couple of other stops then return home.

 

 

[AndyID]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I am also anxious to get my car examined. I had a semi-urgent oil change a couple of weeks ago. At almost 16 years old, at least some oil is disappearing out the tail pipe (there are no leaks) and quite suddenly after purring along for months, with braking or an abrupt turn I will get low oil pressure indications where historically I never did. When the oil was changed the serpentine belts were identified as needing replacement. They're probably "OK" but the idea of losing the serpentine belt does not appeal. That idea is in my head each time I get in the car. My work schedule has made it awkward to drop the car off. I shall have to make this happen soon, for my peace of mind, if nothing else.

 

If it's complaining while cornering or braking it's likely the oil level is low and the pump is sucking air rather than oil (assuming it's not a "dry-sump" system). Perhaps you could take it into Jiffy Lube (or equivalent) and get them to change the oil. It only takes about 15 mins and you don't have to get out of the car. Ask them to put in "high mileage" oil if they have it, and don't waste your money on anything synthetic. Synthetics are a good way of extending the interval between changes with new engines but if you are starting to burn oil it's better to change the oil frequently and get rid of the burnt oil and water that's getting into the sump.

[roundhouse]

4 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

If it's complaining while cornering or braking it's likely the oil level is low and the pump is sucking air rather than oil (assuming it's not a "dry-sump" system). Perhaps you could take it into Jiffy Lube (or equivalent) and get them to change the oil. It only takes about 15 mins and you don't have to get out of the car. Ask them to put in "high mileage" oil if they have it, and don't waste your money on anything synthetic. Synthetics are a good way of extending the interval between changes with new engines but if you are starting to burn oil it's better to change the oil frequently and get rid of the burnt oil and water that's getting into the sump.

Whilst we were walking between breweries in Salt lake City a few weeks back we noticed what appeared to be a drive Thru car service place (wasn't JiffyLube).

 

Morning from another nice looking day here in Surrey.

 

Today we are off to the Spa Valley Railway changing at Edenbridge, walkng to Edenbridge Town station (about 20 minutes walk) then to Eridge. Its their diesel weekend and first loco haulage of the day will be Warship D821 that we last had in May on the SVR. There is also an ale bar at Eridge station so we will be back there later in the day.

 

Should be a good day.

[AndyID]

20 minutes ago, roundhouse said:

Whilst we were walking between breweries in Salt lake City a few weeks back we noticed what appeared to be a drive Thru car service place

 

There are lots of them here. I used to service my cars myself but I have to admit it's getting a bit beyond me. One of the places I use is conveniently situated next to this Hippo Spa.

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by AndyID
Clarif.. - oh heck!

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a sunny Charente.  We had some much needed rain 2 Thursday night and it's getting nice and warm on an afternoon.   I've been watching the news reports from Whaley Bridge with interest.  I hope that it all gets resolved OK.  

 

An abortive shopping trip yesterday morning meant that I had to resort to plan B to get the tap in the shed sorted. The fixed inlet pipe is an odd(probably British) size with an external diameter of 17.5 mm. I've got to join it to a piece of French 16mm pipe to get it to the tap.  I eventualy got the Unimat fired up and with the help of a steady, turned the end of the 16mm pipe down so that it fitted nicely into the fixed pipe.  This was then soldered up and the Boss now has a tap she can use.  I will re solder it today as there is a very slight leak.  After that I spray painted sone brass objects 2 or 3 times.  

 

Not sure what will get done today but shed time is definitely on the agenda to avoid the silent t*rd.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[Gwiwer]

Good morning all from aboard the 06.35 Waterloo - Corfe Castle train. Updates may follow later. 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

A good nights sleep of 7 hours ish, Ben the Border Collie has been upstairs to summon SWMBO. 

 

We've been out on patrol,  dry, scattered clouds, not a lot of wind. 

 

Ben's just gone upstairs again SWMBOs not quick enough enough... 

 

Clothing bag packed,  other bag,  wash kit,  towels,  anti mozzie stuff,  this tablet,  and anything else I need still to pack. 

 

A lesser point as I go off to the regatta in a couple of hours,  is I note that by the side of the reservoir at whaley bridge is a small sailing club, looking it up that's Toddbrook SC on Toddbrook reservoir , I'm guessing that's the rest of their season lost.  Even if the unfortunate villagers get back in their homes soon. 

 

SWMBO is happy,  she met a couple of stars of "Game of Thrones"  in Tesco's car park who were on holiday..   The wolf like dogs.. Particularly "Ghost " an all white one.. 

 

Time too.. Get packing.. 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Got to give Sister Drac a donation this morning so TTFN.

Baz

[81C]

Morning All

Warm and overcast here, unsure of what today holds for me my girlfriend is out with her friends she has her weeks maps out for herself, slapped #rse is snoring her brains out still

I was hoping to have the house to myself for a few days so I will have to take down all the shelving and benches in the garage instead.

 

I'm in need of some caffeine so enjoy your day  L.Oseend.

 

[45156]

Morning All

 

Was planning to visit yesterday, but got home from town to discover that the laptop was dead, as I'd left it in sleep but with the power on.  The batteries are getting very iffy indeed.  Checking the power block, it had no power on light showing, and the power light on the laptop was out.  Tried switching on from sleep, and the laptop died after about a minute.  Checked plug fuse on power block - but it was not that - just a dead power block,  So off to my least favourite PC shop (the big one owned by Dixons), and couldn't find what I wanted, so waited (and waited) at the counter until an assistant became available.  Explained what I needed, and his answer was that he didn't think that they had one in the store as they "don't stock Samsung".  However, if I waited for Liam, he might be able to order one for me.  After about fifteen minutes, Liam was finished his tutorial, and took me to another section of the store where there was a rack of power bricks, including a universal one to fit almost all makes of laptop including Samsung.  They had six in stock.  The lack of knowledge of some of the staff in PC World is incredible.

 

So as a result, once I got the laptop working again, there was a lot more to do on it, so no visit here.

 

Generic greetings are of course on offer, and all posts have, as usual, been read and rated.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[bbishop]

Polly,

 

the smokebox door looks French.

 

Bill

[Dave Hunt]

Last morning with the horde here. No. 1 son arrived last night and will be taking his two back to Chesterfield today then later on I'll be taking granddaughter to Banbury where she'll be handed over to No. 2 son for onward despatch to Leatherhead. Tomorrow I'm picking up some friends at Manchester airport after their holiday in Corsica then early Monday morning SWMBO and I are off to Fraggle Rock for a week. Hence not much chance of any muddling for a while but I'm looking forward to a bit of R & R.

 

Good news about Sandy. I hope she and John carry on enjoying Cornwall.

 

Have a good weekend everyone.

 

Dave

 

 

[Stubby47]

Woke this morning to an email from the Euromillions lottery to say I'd won a prize in last night's draw.

 

I am now £2.40 richer.

 

I assure you this will not change my life.

[southern42]

10 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

Still limping, but managed a bit of muddling, one side of the fiddle yard is almost complete, going to need some more points for the other side, need to have a thunk about the bridge at the door, as it's a double door, a bit more than might be. No plans for tomorrow, but we tend to go out more in the week and stay at home at the weekend to dodge the crowds, anti-social,,,,,me?

G'night all

 

Here, we dodge the school holidays* - like NOW... 

certainly where we go - by the beach  - for a cuppa and a read of the mags!

Less frequent means they just take a little longer to get through at the moment.  But, hey, no rush!

 

*Except West Shore MR where we beg invite them all in....Tickets, please!

and donation...  (Naughty!...)

 

All the weekend's best to all

_________

Polly

[Barry O]

Blood offering to Sister Drac completed early.

Breakfast eaten. Prescription to collect and order...

 

Cricket this afternoon could be fun. The ground was flooded during the week....

 

Hope all our travellers are ok and enjoying their awaydays.

Baz

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A quick hello now out to Mangapps.

[TheSignalEngineer]

3 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

I've been watching the news reports from Whaley Bridge with interest.  I hope that it all gets resolved OK.

I'm sure that the events of Whaley Bridge will raise a few questions in the area. There are numerous clay core dam reservoirs in the area particularly to the north and into the Pennines.  These include the Longdendale reservoirs between Tintwistle and Woodhead. These are constructed in an area of unstable rock with many ancient (and modern) landslips. The Woodhead Dam had to be replaced not many years after construction and Torside has given continuous problems throughout its life.  Rhodeswood suffered a landslip during construction and the level there is currently reduced. Extensive work was done on the chain in the 1990s, including extra height on the clay cores and improved wave walls, although I have seen waves overtopping Vale house on occasions. A problem at the top of the chain could be catastrophic as the chain of five reservoirs is about 15 times the capacity of Toddbrook. a large uncontrolled water release from Woodhead would potentially compromise the lower dams. Not only would there be extensive flooding through to beyond Stockport, but the surrounding towns rely on infrastructure in and crossing the valleys such as water mains, sewerage treatment works, transport for food deliveries, electricity supplies, etc ad inf, just to maintain daily life.

 

Currently a new housing estate is being built below Bottoms dam at Tintwistle on the old Bridge Mill site.  I don't think sales will be very good after this week's events.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Late up this morning, we must have needed the rest, well that’s my excuse! Breakfast has been consumed and Muggertea No2 is almost gone. There is also a bright  yellow object in the sky, the sky is mixture of blue and white. So I’m going to make the most of the situation and attend to some gardening work, mainly dead heading and weeding. 

 

Enjoy the sunshine, I will, back later. 

[Happy Hippo]

4 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

There are lots of them here. I used to service my cars myself but I have to admit it's getting a bit beyond me. One of the places I use is conveniently situated next to this Hippo Spa.

 

Wot!

 

No brown wash?

 

Some folk in the UK pay good money to get their Chelsea tractors professionally weathered.

 

This one just did the skool run in Islington

 

[JohnDMJ]

3 hours ago, Stubby47 said:

Woke this morning to an email from the Euromillions lottery to say I'd won a prize in last night's draw.

 

I am now £2.40 richer.

 

I assure you this will not change my life.

 

Don't spend it all at once!