Debs.

...........it`s my best side!

.....and I bet those pineapple chunks in boxes he had, tasted foul!

I`ve just peeked at it, Mick...........Good Lord!!!!!!!!! I`ve only witnessed more patent-dissatisfaction before seeing that, than when I met a meat-eater who`d recently attended the annual-dinner of the Vegan society! Clearly, I don`t take this hobby of ours, anywhere-near seriously enough!

The Collies are fine (despite the slightly too-hot weather) and I have a reliable 'new-to-me' desktop computer; Yay! ...`really missed all you dear-E.R`s.

'Ow do!

The laptop operating system rebuild hasn`t gone at all well: now taking 25 minutes to boot into anything like usefulness and then often only 5-10 minutes (or so) until a freeze or total-crash.......looks like I wont be able to contribute much of use for the foreseeable. .....but nought in the great scheme of things, especially so as some of our E.R family are enduring a day of great personal sadness and loss.

Thank you for the thorough update and especially-reassuring for your dear-Son`s improving disposition, Mike...........although, terribly sad news to read of the dive party. The Maritime Family that we sometimes call 'working at sea'; operates on skilled professionalism, goodwill and consideration for others..........what you saw during that sécurité/pan-pan and mayday call, was indeed that family-spirit in microcosm. Looking forward to seeing those pictures of the less distressing parts of your voyage.

My goodness, what a day .............`given the shock and distress of it all; best make it a 'stiff' drink.

You might also be referring to the North Wales Ambulances!

Oh, dear-Lord!

I believe such an {unlikely} event has actually happened to our own DDolfelin..........I recall, it was another property`s fault which caused untold problems for our 'DD' and the surrounding village too.

Excellently detailed advice, thank you Andrew. Belarc has been downloaded and has provided a print-off of the missing product key info.....and much more too! I`m presently researching and hard-copy outputting step-by-step info. on formatting the HDD and clean-installing Vista. I believe your use of the term 'Slow Formatting' refers to performing that as a separate process; that is, from within the existing Vista installation via "Computer Management" (drive: C) rather than simply reformatting that partition during any subsequent Windows installation from optical disc? Yes, I realise that the HDD will likely be terminally-failing, but replacing the machine is not a fiscal option at this time, so (as ancient as this one is) I`ll have to try and nurse it along for as long as possible. Thanks again, `very useful advice.

Might I make a brief 'Tech.' query: I`m considering reinstalling the Windows Vista on this ever-more creaky laptop; every morning there are corrupt and orphaned files and 'chkdsk' has to work wonders, but I realise that things can`t continue in this state for much longer. A fellow ER has suggested I try a clean re-installation. I have successfully managed to backup to USB-DVD drive all things most important (Pics/Docs./Network-settings/Logins and Bookmarks etc.), but having thought about the various likely associated tasks in proceeding; I think that subsequent to a 'clean install' I will surely be asked for the Windows security number-series that used to be readable on a sticker `neath the machine...........however, with these 8 years of handling, it has worn away, almost completely. I have a bootable Windows Vista Recovery CD (which I created/burned several years ago) and I also have a Windows Vista {upgrade} DVD, which came with the machine when purchased and I have been led to believe the latter DVD may also be used to perform a clean reinstall; although being a generic-use disc, it does not have any serial number stickers. The laptop`s internal CD/DVD disc-drive failed several years ago, but the external DVD reader/writer I have, will work for booting if I make an appropriate USB boot-source selection from within the BIOS. Is the missing original Windows Vista serial and authentification number, recoverable via the Windows U.I?.......If not, is there another way to authenticate for re-installation?................Have I missed anything in my progress so far?

I shouldn`t................ ..............I really shouldn`t! ..............it`s just so tempting!

My most recent defrag. took 3 continuous days for a tiddler HDD of only 60 Gb. ......"tedious maximus"

It`s the vet`s 'innuendo' he doesn`t like, then?

No, surely not `Enders! I prefer to think of Jacques Tati when considering life at Ian`s "Manoir de tétines anciens" http://youtu.be/SzYcVGP_ris

How wonderful............`joyous news to read and may I (we) offer sincere wishes for your life together, that it be filled with contentment!

This morning`s beach walkies brought the sight of a Tv icon............. The original "Love Boat" (now known as the cruise ship 'Discovery') sailed past, en-route to the Liverpool cruise-liner terminal (she seems very 'wee' by modern cruise ship standards). I swear I could hear Jack Jones singing! http://youtu.be/m_wFEB4Oxlo In one of those 'small world' kind of connections: I`ve met both of the 'Jack Jones': the Love Boat one and his Father (Jack 'Alan' Jones Snr.), they toured the UK (in the early `60`s) and my Father was 'Gaffer' (electrician) for some of the venues here in the North West......I remember the elder had a real stentorian voice; which stopped people in their tracks when he spoke!

Oh no!...........healing wishes being sent for the little-one and lets hope the vet`s bill is small; although not in the Canard sense, of course! Violent thunderstorms barreling through with unfortunate regularity here today; consequently, there are two, trembling Border Collies trying to climb on to my lap for consolation ......lets hope the storms abate and they`ll soon be able to be unequivercollies.

It`s not like it`s 'life or death' or anything..........it`s much more serious than that; it`s Hornby!

"Streuth!.......I`ve just seen a Sheila kissing a Sheila, next to Bruce and Bruce`s billabong"

Is it foggy there?

It`s an old saying, referring to one receiving a severe scolding or harsh reproof.

My dear Japanese friends give me down the banks for not spending sufficient time "bruising" rice before cooking it: that`s throwing it against the side of a large bowl whilst drenched in cold water (that`s the rice; not me!) .....evidently, 20 minutes of 'bruising' is about right for perfect rice; so I`m often about 19 minutes short of ricey-perfection.