figworthy

I had a text from my surgery yesterday offering me a flu jab today. The appointment had to be made online, and the link is valid for 5 days. I was rather impressed that I could book for today any time this week. Jab duly done this morning. Adrian

Years back, my boss asked me if I could do his job, and was a little bit surprised at my answer of "probably, but why would I want to ?" Rather than doing "stuff" (which I enjoyed), I would have spent most of my time doing management (I already did a bit of that, and didn't enjoy it), and if I was lucky, I'd get the odd chance of keeping my hand in at doing "stuff". Some people have that magic something that makes them a good manager (*), others don't and some of them are best kept away from any sort of management role. Good employers (to my way of thinking) recognise this, and find a way of rewarding those who are good are doing "stuff", rather than making them managers. (*) I'm of the view that management (and leadership) to a certain extent isn't a skill that can be taught, it is an aptitude. Much like playing a musical instrument, some people can spend ages taking lessons, but still can't play a decent tune, others have that knack of being able to do so. Adrian

I think the Romans had a thing about building in a deliberate error into things (such as the wrong pattern on a section of mosaic floor) on the basis that only the gods could create something perfect. That said. I can only echo the comments that it is an outstanding piece of work. Adrian

Ah, but is it Art ? Adrian

I'd odd minor problems for years, but the first bad one (multiple spasms etc.) was when I was 42. The chiropractor (then a young lady, who will know be in her mid 40s) informed me that I was about the right age for it. Adrian

Another member of the muscle related bad back club reporting in. Anecdotal evidence suggests that we all have slightly different problems, so what works for me might not work for someone else. I was told by my chiropractor that hot baths are a Bad Thing, but hot showers aren't (the muscles don't absorb the heat in the same way with a shower). Cold packs are a Good Thing (I keep a bag of peas in the top of the freezer for that purpose). The cold helps to reduce the swelling in the damaged muscle. Also keeping it moving (gently), so no taking to my bed for a week (which I was once told to do by a doctor). @Neil, stick with it, it takes time, but you'll get there in the end (it sounds as though you've been down this road a few times, so you'll know that). Adrian

Interesting. When I did A level chemistry (late 70s), we were told that some it had been degree level a decade earlier. Cynics might think that we were being spun a line. Adrian

Weekly shop day is Monday. I passed two filling stations, the first had tape around the pumps, so I'm assuming that they had run out. The second looked slightly busier than usual, but no queues. As I had 2/3 of a tank full, I didn't bother filling up. If I recall correctly, the station that was closed, is closed periodically anyway, so arguably, things were no different to usual. In the supermarket, two items on my list were out of stock (which has happened a couple of times in recent months). One of them was OOS a couple of weeks back, but last week the shelves were full. I'm guessing supply chain problems in both cases. Adrian

Ch4 was definitely not happy. I had the F1 caption that you mention, with occasional bits of advert. Ch5 however seemed to be OK. This was in the 2000 - 2030 timeslot. Adrian

I think the above is basically right, but it isn't just wanting/demanding stuff, it's wanting/demanding it NOW ! Most mail/online order set ups only seem to cater for immediate (or near immediate) delivery. I'd be happy with an option for "some time in the next ten days" if that makes for a more efficient distribution system. Be honest, how often do you need that thing tomorrow ? Adrian

I am not a lawyer, or a police officer. That said, from what I read in the paper, the legislation is such that if arrested for non-emergency presence on the motorway, they can't be remanded in custody pending trial (and if found guilty would probably only get a fine), so the same people keep getting arrested, then doing it again. Breaking the injunction is contempt of court, which can result in imprisonment. Adrian

It might have been a different incident (Sunday morning late 90s). In this case the swan departed of it's own free will. Adrian

For reasons best know to themselves, at one point Radio Gloucestershire started broadcasting the messages that listeners had phoned in regarding traffic problems (rather than a presenter reading them). One day, the message, in best central casting yokel, came across that "there was a broken down you know what, you know where". Very helpful. Adrian

I've know the M27 grind to a halt because a swan was stood on lane one. Adrian

Credit where it is due, you couldn't accuse them of making a half hearted job of it. Oh, and talking of French military success (665 years ago tomorrow): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Poitiers Adrian

An interesting picture in many ways. Not sure exactly what the barges are (I can think of several options), but at least two of them seem to have taken an interesting warp. Adrian

As any fule kno, the centre of the known universe is Headingley Cricket Ground (which of course has seen several distinguished sons of Barnsley play and officiate there). Adrian

A few bits ordered yesterday morning, and they arrived this morning. Very happy customer. Adrian

We were heading up the River Lee, when word reached us that Hertford Lock was out of use. On getting there we could see why. A boat heading downstream hadn't stopped in time, and had hit the bottom gates with such force that they had turned them inside out (i.e., they were now pointing downstream). that must have been an interesting experience for whoever was on the boat. Adrian

Ah well, if we've moved onto epic canal cruises ... Parents launched their (home fitted out) Norman 23 in 1975, and sold it in 1988. In between times, it did pretty much everything that could be done at that time (a few bits of the BCN and the middle levels were missed). I can't remember which years, but they picked up two Silver Swords along the way. Mention of the Bridgewater brings back the memory (1975) of the swing aqueduct being clipped by a passing ship when we were the "wrong" side of it. At the time, the only alternative route back to Leeds was via the Trent & Mersey and Trent, which we didn't have time for, so it ended up on the back of an artic for a journey from Lymm to Burnley (which meant we missed the ascent of the Wigan flight). Shortage of water brings back memories of the long hot summer of 1976. The summit of the Staffs & Worcs was short of water, and we hit what (according to local legend) was a 45 gallon drum full of concrete, which damaged the stern drive, resulting in another trailer ride (this time all the way), that was on the day the rains came. The drum was supposedly a left over from a scaffolding bridge that was rigged up in the midst of the chemical works at Four Ashes. Going back to the programme in question, I've missed one of the episodes, but like others, I've been a bit disappointed with both the content, and the production quality. I don't remember learning anything that hasn't already been covered in similar programmes. Adrian

A problem not unique to Darrington. Adrian

T'was a very pleasant evening, and I suspect most there would not have been playing the numbers game on the costs (which I'm pretty sure was less than you'd expect), I certainly wasn't. Adrian

Thanks. Until I get some more crank pin nuts, I'm a bit limited in what I can do. There is currently a delay on those. See : Markits would have been the preferred option, but they don't have the right sized wheels in their range. Once I'm able to make more progress with this, I'll report back. Adrian

That is a different Withington. The one that you are showing here is on the GWR route between Hereford and Worcester. Adrian

I had an invite to a 60th last week. The marque was bigger than the Manor House :-( . Adrian