bbishop

Mike, sorry that you've lost your cat. You will miss him. Now you just have the Station Cat, which reminds me that we haven't heard from her recently. Early to bed because we have the day nighter at Lord's tomorrow, and it could be a busy duty. Bill

Er, help? I can't seem to get into BT internet. Is this because the system is down? I can get the log in screen but then it all goes blank. But how do I resurrect if it is at my end? As I typed - help! Bill

Bulleid's "shorties". A bit of a convoluted history, as the 59' chassis were built pre-war then stored for the duration. They were internally the same as the Maunsell - Lynes express stock but visually followed Bulleid's suburban electric stock. They, and the "long shorties" on 64' chassis, were front line express stock until the introduction of the end vestibule stock round about nationalisation. Thereafter they were downgraded typically to main line stopping services (say Salisbury - Exeter) and the Somerset and Dorset Joint. They stayed on the Western section. They stayed in sets until the collapse of the system round about 1965. I recollect standing on the end of Waterloo, wondering why the light Pacific was followed by an electric coach - took several years to twig. As the train appeared from behind a Pompey, it could well have been a Basingstoke service. Bill

Flavio, If the B word happens, you may be able to achieve profitable sales of the ravioli to Chris and John at Christmas. Bill

"Yes, I've already given you all the details and when am I getting my money." Bill

Morning awl, A brief post before off to Stroke Club. A fraught day at Lords yesterday, watching England come second in every department. Personally, only treated two minor injuries but the team had two major incidents, including one who was in A&E twenty minutes after collapsing; mind you it helps to keel over right in front of a cardiac consultant. Back later. Bill

Morning awl, Long day at Lord's yesterday. I spent the day in a treatment centre as I couldn't lift. Mildly out of my comfort zone, but the manager let me take observations that are technically out of my remit and I was complemented by a doctor for the quality of my handovers. Wound cleaned and elastoplasted, off to a couple of meetings, training tonight, then another long day at Lord's tomorrow - this time in a foot patrol. Bill

Back home, feeling a bit sore as the anaesthetic wears off. Methinks listen to the cricket in bed. I'll find myself a light duty at Lord's tomorrow. Bill

Morning awl, So no procedure yesterday, but booked in for 11:00 today for an operation. I may be some time. Bill

Evening awl, I've never quite understood the need to have a pedigree dog, especially when they are a pricked ear, flat ear different from the next breed. Also the present preference for a squashed nose with all the issues with breathing difficulties. As a family, we followed a mongrel with three Jack Russells. The first one was mine, purchased for 18 guineas from a farm on Exmoor. We were given full details of his parentage going back six generations. Loved cats, children, beating up German Shepherds, climbing trees and disposing of vermin. I spent Tuesday on the Swanley New Barn Railway, working the signalbox for a private charter. It is a 7½ inch gauge loop, no bells but a full size Southern Railway interlocked frame. Great fun! Signing off now because I have a minor medical procedure in Lewisham Hospital tomorrow morning. Keep well awl, Bill

Calling her a fiend?

You weren't very polite about her on your blog. Bill

Morning awl, I have a serious problem with illegal immigrants, who have been intimidating the local population and stealing from my garden. I am, of course, writing about parakeets. So the fat balls have been relocated to a cage, accessible only by sparrows and their ilk. Now to find out if they are prepared to use the feeder. It will mean that I'm not supplying two new fat balls every day. Very busy week, so may not post until the weekend. Bill

Jamie, Baz and / or the Hippo will know better, but my first thought was black overalls. Bill

It might not be a bad idea to store your stock off site. Bill

Council for the defence: "the streetcar failed to swerve out of the way". Actually used in the early days of Croydon Tramlink. Bill

Off down to Hampshire for a couple of days with Southwark Bridge. Bill

Meanwhile, I was worried that GDB had posted mid sentence. He may be safe with scalpels and glues - but doors etc ...... Bill

Beware the muddy hollows, you never know who inhabits them ..... Bill

Adopt the cat before getting the dog. Hopefully the cat will then beat up the puppy until it knows it's bottom of the pack. Alright, we had the dog first but Toddy really wanted a cat. They were best mates for about twelve years until Toddy went senile. The evening walk was usually cat 'n' dog together. Bill

Try Wickes - where I get mine. Bill

Statistics, dear boy, statistics. One is unlikely to get a burst AA before 65 and it's a good age to spot if you are at risk later. Look it up if you are interested. I checked after I posted and was happy that my post was sufficiently accurate. I think an issue is that as male and female lifestyles coalesce (Smoking, drinking, unhealthy fast food), women will be increasingly at risk. Bill

Men are offered a check at the age of about 65. If you pass, that's it for life. If you fail, it's an (annual?) check. About 1 in 1000 get a trip in a yellow truck. I passed. Bill

On the other hand, Ambulance crews have no training on treating a patient on a boat. The last thing we want is another casualty. When I'm out with a crew or at Lord's, most of the briefing is about not becoming a casualty oneself. Bill

Evening awl, To update you on my second week of jury service. I received an e-mail on Friday advising me that my presence wasn't required on Monday. So on Tuesday, empanelled and sworn in, but defendant didn't have transport so we were sent home. Called down fairly late on Wednesday, the judge tells us that the defendant has health issues that must be resolved before the trial can start. So we are discharged; back upstairs, the second weekers are released. So a total of 30 minutes in court! Keep well all, Rick keep taking the EtOH medicine, Bill