Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

13 minutes ago, AndyID said:

I really do not like guns (although I admit to having a rather feeble air-rifle) BUT as we are surround by a majority who like to "pack heat", if things get any more bonkers here I might have to join the herd.

 

There's a guy just along the road who has a bit of land and there's a big sign that says "XYZ Militia - KEEP OUT!" We hear him loosing-off his guns from time to time and sometimes it's obviously automatic fire and more than likely illegal, but I'm not about to take it up with him.

 

 

 

I read a novel last year where chunks of the action were set in militia areas of Idaho. I wondered if it was like where you lived!

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[Barry O]

Goodnight all!

Baz

[AndyID]

10 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

I read a novel last year where chunks of the action were set in militia areas of Idaho. I wondered if it was like where you lived!

 

Ruby Ridge is only about 40 miles North of here. There was also a neo-Nazi compound near the local town of Coeur d'Alene but they were shut down some years ago. Unfortunately I think there is still a lot of it hiding in the woodwork. However, Idaho is the fastest growing state in the US which is likely to affect the demographics quite a bit in time.

[Ozexpatriate]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

Party like it's 1751 ...

Happy new year John!

 

Should that be "Novus Annus!" or would the Latinate form be considered offensive in the Georgian world?

 

The less than observant should note the presence of two (2) "n"s. It is impolite to wish someone a second posterior orifice, though I have heard several variations on that theme.

[Ozexpatriate]

56 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

there's a big sign that says "XYZ Militia - KEEP OUT!"

Is "XYZ Militia" his particular affiliation, or is that an instruction to the members of "XYZ Militia".

 

(OK I'm being a little facetious. Grammar isn't necessarily a strong point of such movements.)

 

A local had a signboard on the road ranting about the United Nations though I haven't noticed it lately. That unincorporated property will soon be annexed by the city as the suburban area fills in.

 

I hear gunfire on a regular basis. It is not a reason for concern. I am no more than 1.4 miles (2.25 km) as the crow flies from a gun club with open air firing ranges.

 

News reports of a couple of days ago indicated that ammunition is flying off the shelves of sporting goods stores.

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[Kingzance]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

King Bill sits by the Hamoaze at the entrance, at Mutton Cove, to Devonport Naval Base. He is saluted by all naval ships passing in and out of the base.

Ah, Mutton Cove! Home to the Plymouth Nautical School’s fleet of cutters, whalers and one Stuart Turner engined motor launch when it was part of Plymouth College in the mid - late 60s. A different world!

[The Stationmaster]

3 hours ago, brianusa said:

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Bit of an eclectic mix tonight,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,<<I remember my mum taking me, in the late 50s or early 60s, up to Plymouth Hoe to watch, and hear, sunset being enacted at the Citadel which was then a Royal Marines Barracks. And watching the sun dip over Cornwall, The Sound darkening and the lights of the boats, the Breakwater lighthouse and from fourteen miles out, the Eddystone light, which was staffed then. Then walking down in the gathering dusk to the Barbican to get fish and chips.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

A few years earlier this could well have been my Mother and I.  Forget the name of it, but there was a decent F&C shop on Southside St along with Jackas (?) bakery who had the best saffron buns!  Between the two, you could catch the ferry to Turnchapel and have a decent picnic on the beach at Bovisand!

      Brian.

Alas the Barbican Fish Bar went the way of all good things some time back.  It was replaced by another one a bit further back along Southside St which was pretty good but a quick wander down there on Google Maps indicates that it too has gone.  there is a 'chicken and (I think) chips' establishment with a fancy plastic frontage roughly where the old Barbican Fish Bar used to be. 

 

The fridge shook itself back into life this evening but the new one arriving tomorrow has not been cancelled, too risky to do that according to the management!

 

Interesting question as to whether or not we might get a King William sooner than we might expect.  Of course which ever one of them takes over we don't as yet know what title they would take.  I suspect the present Prince of Wales would be  more than likely to be George VII.   But what title William would take is anybody's guess and even he might go for George?

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. When I was in Tess Coes yesterday they didn't have my favourite bread in, it was either sold out or they didn't have the dough delivered. But they did have some of their three cheese bread which I do like. In the fridge I found a small pack of salami so I made a sandwich of that and the 3 cheese bread, very tasty. I've now taken out subscriptions for a couple of magazines that I normally purchase from smiffs as I doubt I shall be able to get to the shop any time soon.

[Ozexpatriate]

10 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

I suspect the present Prince of Wales would be  more than likely to be George VII ...

Interesting observation there Mike. Is there still a grudge against the titular use of "Charles" after 335 years?  Too Scottish, too Catholic or both?

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[PhilJ W]

7 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Interesting observation there Mike. Is there still a grudge against the titular use of "Charles" after 335 years?  Too Scottish, too Catholic or both?

He's got plenty to choose from.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Like the last few days, I’ve spent the most part outside in the sunshine, although not a lot of gardening. Instead I got the pressure washer out and cleaned the decking area in front of the workshop, the patio, the path leading to the outside cellar steps and the area in front of the outer cellar door. I’d just finished putting everything away when Sheila called me for dinner  so I locked everything up and came inside. After dinner I spent an hour or so with the soldering iron. I then set about making a batch of leek and potato soup, some of which we had for tea, the rest once cooled was put in the freezer for later consumption. Once I’d finished making the soup, I continued with the soldering iron and by the teatime I’d finished another 6 point relay boards, making a total of 16 completed so far, so just another 12 + 2 spare to go. 

 

My uncle (my father’s older brother) was Christened Jim, not James. When ever he received post addressed to Mr James W........, he returned it, stating not known at this address!

 

Our local council in there infinite wisdom have decided to stop collecting the green bin (kitchen and garden waste) during the lockdown period. Given that a lot of people may well be spending a fair amount of time in the garden during this enforced stay at home and the fact that the local tips are closed, I do think it is a rather daft idea. 

 

Goodnight all 

[AndyID]

30 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

 But what title William would take is anybody's guess and even he might go for George?

 

Might gain a few points in Scotland if he stuck with Oor Wullie.

[newbryford]

WFH today, but very distracted as Mrs and Junior NB were about.

 

They are "keeping busy" doing stuff, but required supervision on various tasks...............

 

Junior has almost learnt the art of applying masking tape around window frames.

She has also learnt the art of scraping excess paint off when said masking tape isn't applied to instructions.

She hasn't yet learnt how to clean paintbrushes.

 

Mrs NB has been instructed how to use a power washer without destroying stuff.

Then after doing 1/4 of the decking (it's about 5m square) gets "bored". 

That will be on my agenda tomorrow. 

 

At least a long-awaited (ordered Jan 2019) package arrived from the Widnes direction to cheer me up.

I now have a new "shed" (and not the garden variety). It will be powered up shortly and hopefully doesn't annoy the neighbours as I believe it is quite loud.

 

I have been tidying my workbench to allow work-related projects to be worked upon. As well as a dedicated couple of shelves in my (not the model variety) shed for said jobs.

TBH - tidying up took the vast part of the day.

 

As a result of the current situation, I am slowly losing track of what day of the week it is and not having to get up at the same time every day is starting to mess with my already dodgy body clock.

 

Have a good Wedn Fri Thursday folks. (The only way I know it's Thursday coming up is because I looked down the street and saw the bins going out this evening in readiness for collection day.)

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[The Stationmaster]

55 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Interesting observation there Mike. Is there still a grudge against the titular use of "Charles" after 335 years?  Too Scottish, too Catholic or both?

I think it will be more likely a sort of 'family tradition' thing reflecting back on the fairly recent male monarchies.  Using Charles would probably be a pretty daft idea I think - because the name has strong connotations of failure whereas George is associated with some fairly successful monarchies.  I doubt there is much, if any, concern among the various Christian religions except possibly in certain parts of Scotland and probably to a greater extent in the oft religious loony land of Northern Ireland (where the use of William for a monarch would undoubtedly set off some of the nut cases, particularly the ones in favour of it!)

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[Ozexpatriate]

4 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Using Charles would probably be a pretty daft idea I think - because the name has strong connotations of failure whereas George is associated with some fairly successful monarchies.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the perspective. Interestingly to me, it was during the reign of Charles II (that the future James II as Duke of York and Albany) secured the American Colonies from the Dutch, Swedes and others and George III who lost them (notwithstanding national success against the French at the same time). I would attribute much of the late Georgian success to the Pitts (elder and younger).

 

The 17th century was a turbulent time in English (pre-British) politics.

 

Edited March 26, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[J. S. Bach]

My father's name was Arthur Wellington, the second brother was William Oliver, the third brother was John Paul, the sister was Harriet (I do not, and never did, know her other name), I see my maternal grandmother's  pattern here.

 

Anyway, good night owl from a warm Piedmont.

[pH]

5 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

My maternal grandfather was christened Jack - not John but Jack. This caused him no end of trouble as the usual response when he gave his name as Jack to anyone in officialdom was, "You mean John." 

 

Like my brother-in-law Harry. "Henry?". "No, Harry".

[pH]

Today, I saw gas at under a dollar Canadian a litre (lowest 97.5 cents) for the first time in decades.

 

Driving and walking today, we passed several municipal sports fields and fields attached to schools. All are closed indefinitely. However, several are having maintenance work done on them in the meantime, mostly aeration, but some levelling, patching etc. That, plus the lack of use, should mean they're in really good shape once all this is over.

[BR60103]

The online report says Costco has gas in the mid-60s. Any lower and it won't cover the taxes.

 

Talked to neighbours who snowbird down south.  Their health insurance company told them that they had 9 days to get back to Canada. They were back a week ago. They were glad to be in a motorhome as there didn't seem to be any place to "stop" along the I75.

 

Edited March 26, 2020 by BR60103

[pH]

52 minutes ago, BR60103 said:

The online report says Costco has gas in the mid-60s. Any lower and it won't cover the taxes.

 

Yes, but .... the Lower Mainland of BC usually has the most expensive gas in Canada and therefore, by definition, in North America. There have to be some penalties for living in the most spectacular part of Canada! 

[AndyB]

6 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Interesting question as to whether or not we might get a King William sooner than we might expect.  Of course which ever one of them takes over we don't as yet know what title they would take.  I suspect the present Prince of Wales would be  more than likely to be George VII.   But what title William would take is anybody's guess and even he might go for George?

 

I'm wondering if they start to get into double figures, might they sound a bit like Popes?