PeterBB

Thankfully as I see it our GP surgeries have stuck to masks whenever inside their premises. Always make sure that I have one with me anyway but prefer to keep distance whenever possible. This last weekend a parking app actually worked for the very first time, a relief, since having to telephone each time is expensive as have not had loose cash since the lockdowns began and, thinking about it, have not visited a bank during that time. Thankfully SWMBO does all the shopping. Cards for fuel but do not use the pumps where you have to state how much fuel you want before use - hate the idea as my normal is to 'fill-up', cannot understand those who put in £20 etc. each time.

Nice to hear about typewriters - had one for my 21st and still have it. Loved the cubic close-packed typeface but have never been able to find that again on any computer or laptop since. Many happy hours were spent on it over the years and its now approaching its 60th anniversary.

Often thought of laptop but ultimately stay with desktop, just cannot abide the 'tiny screens' and generally ,apart from those whose work makes them necessary, its easier to have a speific space. What i cannot get around are those who work with mobile telephones - you see a page, need to go back and forward to work through pages and pages each time - big screens and multiple windows, if needed, are much easier to go back and forth. The main problem I see these days is that the actual computer hard drives do not have enough storage and want you to use 'cloud' for everything - OK I suppose provided that you have permanent internet access but otherwise absolutely useless. So, use cloud but prefer to keep what I really do not want to lose on the hard drive.

Sorry that you have not been able to get your entitled right. Do know the problem as early on was given Birmingham places that were out of the question to reach. Where we are now had quite a period when anyone of the right age or need could just turn up as many notified were not appearinkg. Polymer - yes, agree your comment on my 'apathy' groan re: vacination Will not be seeing the New Year in on this wet and very windy day. but wishing everybody a better 2023 than 2022. Unintentional but today is the very first day since living here that I have not even been outside.

The fact that pnly 64% have taken the offer of vaccination just shows pure apathy and is/has no doubt been one of the reasons why Covid again is still on the increase.

The sort of useful information . A while since we changed ours but - we wanted one with a DVD option ... the biggest we could get with that option was 43". Not the least bit interested in all this other stuff and those who know me also know that a mobile telephone is for telephone calls and messages far too small for anything else and as GD found using her mobile for other things £30 went 'just like that' and Dad said you'll have to wait until your next pocket money to top up.

Hellish windy overnight, potentially some sun now after a heavy shower or two. Wish I didn't get distracted by ER blog as tax return still not completed. Some lucky but probably also skilled pilots spectacular accidents. Wordpress still works but the 30-day removal of spam still does not from a well known ISP provider. Had a 'nut and bolt' construction set, suitable for 8+ years, 'compatible with other brands' Flying Scotsman to assemble - doesn't look too bad but did show up the big fingers and arthritic thumbs. Things need doing but weather and mojo lack not helping.

Early church service before visit. Modern 'families' being what they are we ended up at young son's and the first time for over 50 years with no children present but still represented by three generations although there was not much difference between my age and the eldest compared with the vast difference down to the youngest represented generation. (In times past me being older than young sons wife's great grandparents). This because it was the Christmas turn for children's mothers and also meant that the grandchildren have had two Christmas days, one with dad a day or two ago and one with mums. For us at young sons it meant relaxation as the youngsters prepared the meal and afters, a very pleasant day. Cannot comment on television showings as apart from King Charles III speech there no viewing. We did however help a bit with the 'clearing-up'.

When our school moved in the 50s it was to the horticultural gardens of one John Innes so there were some 'unusual' plants still around. There was a really impressive library b building that I know has since been demolished as they modified the school yet again inlater years. Enjoy your Christmas and pray for a better 2023.

A slight diversion in MR ( PS don't let Debs know). Young son had purchased wooden locomotives that fit his young son's Brio. At the push of a button they have sound! What this means that in the not too distant future sound will become obligatory for MR if the youngsters are to 'stay' in the hobby.

And I certainly remember seeing some of those ... but unfortunately not mine!.

Return to work after early retirement ... and have the trouble of having to 'go to work' in all weathers and pay exorbitant parking charges that are not tax deductible and miss out on the time with family. However generally the early retirees are those who can afford to be retired so why would they wish to go back to work? They could do charity work and many do. Me, one of the lucky ones who enjoyed whatever he did so actually did not fully retire until 74 and may have stayed longer if the 'only paid if you work' corporate companies 'misused' was deemed 'illegall'.

As also I believe for other professions - not Aussi then forget it.

Hopefully this will be thrown out or rather not even reach the courts - a refund plus a gratuity might be in order but $5 million. What is the USA becoming if it even considers such ludicrously ridiculous try-ons.

At the time as an active fund raiserfor the RNLI I remember the Solomon Browne Penlee Lifeboat disaster like it was yesterday and a picture of when I had seen the boat came straight to me. Had not realised just how long ago it was.

My modification - most goes to those who have, who tend also to complain most about raised taxes that are of course important to be able to fund services that people need ... its becoming a rant so I'll leave it there. On the recent software/hardware comments the latest 'upgrade' computers required new printer and new scanner as none of the previous computers were still supported and the previous printers and scanner are no longer compatible yet all still 'worked well' with heir predecessor. The major problem being security in support.

The same thing applies with televisions and CDs DVDs - they were given as the best way to store information and especially photographs 'for ever' ... so what do we have now -iCloud/cloud whatever ... absolutely perfect? if you have internet reception? - no way, you are now expected to 'pay for services' and if tyou change providers etc or fail to pay you loose the lot. They call this progress. I may be 'stick in the mud' but all the older types should be supported. At the time we required a replacement television the largest we could obtain that still offered DVD play was a 43". Larger screens may offer better pictures but we can still play DVDs as and when we want without having to pay again for the use. Did not comment of the Blackberry thing as to me it was just a name - my mobile at the time had an aerial that damaged coat pockets!

Thanks for the reminder, the VC10 was the most comfortable aircraft travelled in.

As mentioned earlier no reception where I was last week but inspite of informing the electricity company of that fact repeatedly they did come to try and fit one ... thankfully BiL asked them to use their mobile to contact the company ... no meter fixed but, even now they still keep sending him letters asking him to have a so-called 'smart meter'. Note: this replacement keyboard must be so sensitive that typos are frequent especially an 'A' that comes up after a capital rather than an 'a'.

Where I was staying at the W/E had no internet or mobile telephone access - surprising just how frustrating that can be these days.

You will eventually wonder how you ever had time to go to work! Wishing you many happy retirement years. After I made this comment noted that @45156 had stated the same comment.

First visit for some time tonght and had skimmed and had in mind comments on other issues e.g. the 'bread' ' big first cars' and the Queensland Police tragedy sections but that went on finding that Crisf, whose comments I eagerly looked for, had passed. Its some years now but he really came alive once he came out and became 'the man he wanted to be'. Time away spent at Great Central Railway as a Santa - very enjoyuable and now still working to provide mor einsulation and storage in the 'loft' section is taking more lut of me than previously thought. The installation of an 'old' but still viable strip-light has helped - its use will not justify the cost of replacement with an LED strip.

As he was on a ladder at the fateful moment.

Thank you for letting us know. Chris's missives had been missed by us on ER because he kept in touch even when, on the rare occasions, when he did not have much to say. Thoughts with your families. His wit and music blogs were both interesting and often amusing. Fortunately had also met him 'in the flesh' and had a very pleasant conversation with him.

A quick ... well it still took a ;fair time ... through posts , so many appear between times of access so best wishes and condolences where necessary. Missing ERs yes they are missed. Its surprising how time flies so long ago that we repreented ERs at Jocks funeral. He4 was a great guy.