Early Risers.

[big jim]

Don’t know why I’ve woken up at this ungodly hour, it’s most likely coz I’ve been on lates/nights earlier in the week and my body clock has gone to pot,  been awake for about an hour, nice dawn chorus that just as I typed was interrupted by a couple of canada Greece honking as they flew over the house!

 

working later, rugby to bescot with a returning empty Ballast then hams hall to crewe light engine with 66783 ‘biffa’ 

 

going to try and get back to sleep for a few more hours 

[AndyID]

For all the good it will do I Just sent messages to the governors of Idaho and Washington to let them know their "stay and home" orders are being completely ignored. We have also received an invitation to a birthday party for one of our neighbors.

 

And I thought Cleopatra was the only Queen of denial.

[Ozexpatriate]

15 minutes ago, AndyID said:

... "stay and home" orders are being completely ignored.

Pretty quiet here - at least as far as my daily constitutional is concerned. More walkers than motorists and even the walkers are very spread out. Many are being dragged around by dogs. The supermarket has a consistent level of business in my infrequent visits but nothing out of hand. (I haven't been there since Monday.)

 

Deborah Birx (physician ambassador to the office of the Vice President's coronavirus response) apparently gave a nice shout out today to Washington, Oregon and California for non-logarithmic increases in COVID-19 cases.

 

Report on local news had the county sheriff's patrol pull someone over for doing 116 mph in a 55 mph zone. (Empty highway would be "safe" at 70 mph but is a bit dodgy in places. It is only two lanes each way.) When asked how fast he thought he was going the cited speeder hopefully suggested "About 70?". Fine is $1,150.00. That highway recently had speed advisory signs installed to improve traffic flow because it is chronically overloaded

[pH]

33 minutes ago, chrisf said:

I suspect that a poor sleeping pattern is an indication of depression.     

 

Or possibly just age, Chris. (We're about the same age.)

[iL Dottore]

Morning all,

I am glad to see that Trisonic is back with us. I’m sorry to hear of your loss, Pete, but I suspect the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic will be much like the aftermath of World War I inasmuch there will be no one and no family that will not have been touched in one way or another by this dreadful disease, Just like nearly no one and nearly no family was untouched by the carnage of the First World War.

However, and on a completely different note, I must insist that we send both Trisonic and Andrew P to the naughty step.... for all that talk of guitars and the like has caused my normally low-grade, chronic, GAS* to flareup into an acute and debilitating episode. It is so bad that I fear the only remedy will be to acquire one of these (see photo below): a HIWATT Custom Little D Rig Guitar Amplifier Head & Starfinder Fane 1x12 Cabinet based on the amplifier modified by Pete Cornish for David Gilmour.
*Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

I have to say it’s actually amazing to think how productive the 1960s/1970s music scene was. In addition to the huge amount of music coming out of that era, it is jawdropping to contemplate how much of that output continues to remain fresh, relevant and enjoyable. It is also quite staggering to note how varied the output was, especially compared to the dross that’s being churned out today (I know there are a lot of good musicians And bands out there, but unlike in the 60s and 70s they rarely get played on mainstream radio). And far from this music being solely enjoyed by aging baby-boomers, great bands like Pink Floyd, JethroTull, AC/DC, The Eagles and the like are continuing to attract new fans. I wonder who amongst today’s acts, if any, will be winning new fans in 50 years.

 

The Swiss have been very level headed about the current crisis, unfortunately recently the Swiss Vetinäramt (Swiss State Veterinary Regulator) has issued an edict that has left everyone gobsmacked, not least the SKG - which is the Swiss umbrella organisation for dog clubs, dog trainers and dog breeders. We are now prohibited from using our dog clubs for exercising our dogs. Even though the clubs had put in place sensible measures (also put out by the Swiss Vetinäramt) - such as no social gatherings, no more than two people and their dogs on the grounds at any one time, with social distancing if two people are present. Ironically, with dog clubs having fenced-in grounds with lockable entrances, it would be far safer to exercise the dogs in the clubs’ grounds than out amongst the populace at large (and yes, I know that there have been a few cases of pets and zoo animals getting the corona virus, but there’s no evidence of transmission from pet to human)

 

Not an exciting day ahead at Schloss iD: I have to clean the bathrooms and kitchens and sluice out the dungeons. It is astounding both to discover where dog hair can deposit itself and to learn how quickly it reappears after cleaning (I can vacuum and mop the kitchen floor at 9am, wipe up a spill at 9:10am and find dog hairs....)

 

Following my duties as Mrs Mopp, some muddling, practice on the electric banjo and a new Tomb Raider game on the PlayStation await.

 

Stay Safe, Stay Well, Stay Sane

iD

Edited April 11, 2020 by iL Dottore
Typos

[roundhouse]

17 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Report on local news had the county sheriff's patrol pull someone over for doing 116 mph in a 55 mph zone. (Empty highway would be "safe" at 70 mph but is a bit dodgy in places. It is only two lanes each way.) When asked how fast he thought he was going the cited speeder hopefully suggested "About 70?". Fine is $1,150.00. That highway recently had speed advisory signs installed to improve traffic flow because it is chronically overloaded

We often hear cars and motorbikes moving very fast on the now traffic free main roads, particularly at night. There have been reports of people doing well over 100mph on the M25 . When I took the food to mums on Tuesday  a car moving at high speed overtook another on slight bend in a 30 mph zone coming straight at me leaving a cloud of smoke as he overtook - guess what make of car it was, an old BMW.

 

Morning all.

Its depressing to have the news on with more deaths and talk of the 'lockdown going on for a very long time'. As soon as my other half wakes she puts the bedroom TV on. Whilst I often have the TV on in the shed I normally have music on to drown it out only pausing the music if something I am interested comes on screen. Today the two TV's may well have two live railcams on whilst I wire up the solenoids to the High Line.

 

There is a mini keg to open later, Pilgrim Tempar, a smoked ale. Its not as strong a smoke taste as beers brewed in Bamberg, Germany but its still very nice. Bamberg smoked beers take a bit of getting used to but once you are, they are superb. Was hoping ot have been there over this spring on our way back from the Czech Republic.

 

Now need to decide which locos to take up to the shed to run today.

[Ozexpatriate]

1 minute ago, roundhouse said:

Its depressing to have the news on with more deaths and talk of the 'lockdown going on for a very long time'.

I had to cut back on the amount of TV news I was consuming. There was only one topic and it was too much.

[iL Dottore]

7 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I had to cut back on the amount of TV news I was consuming. There was only one topic and it was too much.

Not only that, it’s also far too sensationalistic. Things like 5 die in the sleepy village of Little Modelling as opposed to the less headline grabbing 195 of the 200 infected people of Little Modelling recover!

But there again good news doesn’t sell newspapers (or earn clicks).
 

The lack of testing doesn’t help things either. One of the reasons that Germany has a low mortality rate for the disease (above and beyond their excellent medical system) is their mass testing programme. Of course you are going to have a high mortality rate if you only test people who are ill enough to present for treatment. Which is what makes me conclude that the top people at PHE in their decision not to allow for other labs and methodologies to test for the virus were - at the very least - unwise.

 

iD

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

We only listen to the "overview" on TV news. If there is nothing we want to follow up on the overview we do watch that but otherwise watch something else.

 

No painter today so plan is to mow rhe grass, finish removing paint from a recentish purchase. Do a bit of paint spraying then..go a walk.

 

Enjoy your day whatever you do.

Positive thoughts to all ERs!

 

Hope AndyB can pop in today. 

 

Baz

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning all from a place that looks as if it's going to be sunny and warm again today.  Grass cutting is definitely on the agenda.  Beth has been told to rest her wrist (That was another word I had to learn, poignet) so no doubt I will be supervised from the sidelines.  

 

Fortunately our area seems to be relatively free of the lurgi but Bordeaux has had a large a recent outbreak.  As it's the nearest Ikea that gives me even more reason not to go near the place.  With a quite large garden and plenty of empty space around us we are very lucky.  I dread to think what it would be like in a tower block somewhere.

 

A few random thoughts,   10 idiots from London thought it would be a good idea to take a private jet to the south of France to go to a villa in Cannes.   They were turned back at Marseille airport.  That will have dented their wallets.

 

ID that picture put the lyrics of a song by the Who into my brain, I can't remember the title at the moment but one line was

"The place was really jumping to the Hiwatt Amps"

Another immortal line was " We were the first band to vomit in the bar and find the distance to the stage too far".

 

On that cheery note I will leave you to enjoy your breakfasts.

 

Stay ae everyone.

 

Jamie

[Sir TophamHatt]

OoOOoooo!

Looking forward to tonight.

Day off tomorrow, steak BBQ...

It's whether I risk popping to the supermarket to pick up a few fresh veggies but not having to queue for 60 mins.

I think a lot of people went yesterday.  I'll try Tesco - never waited for more than 5 mins in their queue.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Another fine and warm day is promised although there may be the odd shower later.

The Boss was up early and brought a cuppa up to me at 6.40. Must be because she was happy with the coloured lights that I put up in the garden for her yesterday.

As I type I can hear a young man jogging past the house, he's now on his 4th  5th lap round the block. Wish my knee would allow me to do that.

I'm hoping that I'll be getting a text soon advising me of a delivery of bedding plants etc. They did say that the delivery "should" be today.

Time for some breakfast,

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

It is sunny here and forecast to be pleasantly warm although there is a chance (30%) of a shower at noon.

It is very quiet here, occasional pigeon “song”. 
I may go to the garage and play with some motorised toys, not my trains though. I found Matthew’s Scalextric set and put it up on some boards. Matthew had given up quite quickly as he couldn’t really cope with it and he had said years ago I could have it as he knew I had liked slot cars when I was young. 
We aren’t going anywhere today.

Tony

[Dave Hunt]

Good morning all. Not much to report but I'm on standby in case HH calls in air support when he finally loses patience. I did realise that there were quite a few idiots around but just how many and how stupid is really staggering. As someone said recently, there seems to be a mass Darwin Award candidacy movement.

 

I really must try to get back into a more structured lifestyle with an earlier start as the first morning muggocoffee is getting later and more prolonged and lethargy is threatening to become thematic. Baz the day I tell myself and on that note I will now have a go at complying with my instructions. With luck one of the results will be progress on the modelling front but I think the a few domestic chores and catering for dinner may also feature depending on what I find when SROs* are posted .

Stay safe and well everyone with special thoughts for Bill and his ilk.

 

Dave

 

* Station Routine Orders

[AndyID]

2 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

 

Deborah Birx (physician ambassador to the office of the Vice President's coronavirus response) apparently gave a nice shout out today to Washington, Oregon and California for non-logarithmic increases in COVID-19 cases.

 

 

I don't know about Oregon but (based on vehicle license plates) both California and Washington seem happy to export the virus to Idaho while Idaho is too complacent or too afraid of certain factions to do anything about it.

 

The "stay at home" orders seem to be a complete joke. Our son in Tacoma is out of a job and asked that we bring him back here. We wanted to do that but decided it would breach the current orders if we did. Meanwhile so many are simply ignoring the orders, presumably because they think they know better.

 

I could go on but I better not.

[AndrewC]

Moaning all from the sunny patio. 13c already with an expected high of 24c today & tomorrow. Brekkie breked. Lattes enjoyed. Builders next door playing catch up after they had to demolish the botched extension. 
 

Today will be mostly puttering in the shed I think. Like Tony I have a Scalextric that should probably be played with. 
 

BBQ slow cooked pork belly burnt ends are on the menu for tonight. The butterflied led of lamb is marinating for tomorrow. 
 

Enjoy the day. 

[AndyID]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

 5 die in the sleepy village of Little Modelling as opposed to the less headline grabbing 195 of the 200 infected people of Little Modelling recover!

 

 

Which is just an example of more meaningless numbers. What  was the total population of Little Modelling?

[Happy Hippo]

26 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

* Station Routine Orders

Trust the RAF to use more words than necessary.

 

We had to make do with Daily Detail.

[Happy Hippo]

When I read the comments and replies within the ERs thread on RMWeb I am heartened.

 

I have realised that the contributors are all sharper than the average knife.

[Happy Hippo]

The recommendation I made in response to AndyID's query:

 

 

Chosen because it  can double up as a tractor (and who'd dare stop you to find out if it were running on red diesel?)

 

Baz will recognise it as the Scorpion 90.

[PeterBB]

10 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

1.6m wide and high, 0.6m deep. Will hold about a tonne.

 

Your maths to the fore - many thanks.

[AndyID]

8 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

The recommendation I made in response to AndyID's query:

 

 

Chosen because it  can double up as a tractor (and who'd dare stop you to find out if it were running on red diesel?)

 

Baz will recognise it as the Scorpion 90.

 

Stunning.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

 

The Boss was up early and brought a cuppa up to me at 6.40. Must be because she was happy with the coloured lights that I put up in the garden for her yesterday.

Four aspect ?

[Coombe Barton]

3 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

aspect ?

Thought that was what you got if you sat down in a chicken run.

[Happy Hippo]

4 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

Thought that was what you got if you sat down in a chicken run.

I rest my case!