PupCam

Hook, Line and Sinker 🤣

"The Pot Noodle Museum" and "I went to the one in Osaka" (said il Dottore) now that has to be an oxymoron doesn't it? 🤣 Hey, nice E numbers! 😉 I've rumbled you Rick! This new "volunteering" business, protecting the coast is really just an excuse for a new form of train spotting (now there aren't many actual trains to spot) isn't it? Is there an equivalent of the Ian Allan Combined Volume for boats? ION A short thrash was thrashed with a stop off at a local bike shop. Each year in the summer they hold a "Two stroke" day and invite a number of interesting two strokes to be displayed. Seems like a certain ~50 year old, RD200 has got an invitation .... 😀 Mrs Puppers has just visited the garage ......... 😬 It would appear that I got a "Highly commended" for my Henry Hoovering this morning! Now that is a result! TTFN

I see it's left its mark just like all good Beezas should!

Morning! 30+ years ago I had a very "high technology" shed in the back garden for some work I was doing at the time. It was insulated, dry lined, powered, had a couple of PCs, Oscilloscopes, function generators, DMMs and other test equipment in it. It was great and the fact that the junior Puppers were about 5 and 2 at the time and the shed was some way up our very long garden (the plot was ~350' long) was entirely coincidental 😂 When we moved, the shed was disassembled and moved with us where further aeronautical research was conducted for a time. Unfortunately after that it just became a dumping ground for old carp and looking at the state of it now I fear its days are now numbered. Yes but it will forever be PAT testing. Now, I must get on with* the Hoovering ..... * Actually a slight fib 'cos I've already done it, see later We happened to be in Waitrose yesterday and I decided I could no longer hold out on the provision of some PCTs. The trouble was that when I found the most likely looking cabinet it was completely bereft of any such objects (or even the labels to go with them) and the remaining items didn't look anywhere near as appealing. We did buy some "Extra Fruity" Hot Cross buns though which we had for breakfast. They were a complete let down too! Oh, I think it does 🤣 ION I spent most of Sunday machining the new lens mount for the Telecine machine and yesterday I got the machine going again with some new belts (aka O Rings) and a couple of other tweaks and installed and aligned as best I could the new lens + camera + tube combo. Unfortunately despite some promising looking results from the original test lash-up the finished result doesn't cut the mustard and real sharp focus can not be attained plus there's some chromatic aberration to add insult to injury! 🤬 Looking more closely at the unmarked lens I'm beginning to think it was actually part of an old camcorder lens (knowing its source) and not a complete lens in its own right. No doubt other elements in the zoom lens corrected the observed aberrations! That' Turdy Curses with a capital T and a capital C! Oh well, the hunt for a suitable lens continues. What's the chance of me being able to re-use my new lens tube when I find one. Pretty slim I reckon but then I'm a glass 7/8 empty sort of person. Anyway, here's a few pics of the gadget and a sample capture (just to take our minds off food really) I have spent this morning cleaning up the swarf invasion in the garage following the turning exercise. @polybear will be pleased to hear that the lathe would now pass a Robbie Stancombe** muster for cleanliness with all tools cleaned and stored. Can't say the same for the rest of the garage, although Henry the Hoover has been working overtime on the floor for fear of FOD being transferred into the house with the resultant consequences for the ear 'oles! ** Late, great, turning instructor from Hawker Siddeley Dynamics, Hatfield in the '70s. Right, what to do next? I'm tempted to go for a little ride while it's still dry. TTFN

Is it me or do those fines not have enough digits in them? A few 4 or even 5 digit numbers might*make the idiots change their ways! * A forlorn hope I suspect. ION A drawing has been drawn of a device to be whittled out of a chunk of aluminium to hold a lens and a camera in precisely the right position (OK, there's a degree of flexibility built in to get the focus precise) on the butchered 1960's Standard 8 projector aka the telecine machine. Much rooting around** finally produced an ideal chunk of 1.75" Dia ali bar for the item. It's been cut to length, set up in the 4 jaw chuck (it's a bit bigger than my 3 jaw ) and a start has been made to dress it up so that the travelling steady can be used to support it whilst it's machined. Proper machining starts next time. ** Puppers' stock pile of chunky ali bar is now sadly depleted after all those telescope and other gadgets that have been made over recent months. I need an economical source for a re-stock! Got our water bill today. According to the meter we've used 1m3 of water in the last year. I wondered what the smell was. TTFN

Test flight complete. All present and correct. Bike back in garage. Liquid sunshine has now fallen (with some vigour) and now replaced with the dry, bright variety. Now to tackle the Telecine machine's new lens holder. TTFN

Morning All! I was almost an ER this morning and I was up and out in the garden about 8:30. The neighbour currently has a not-fully-occupied skip on his drive and asked if I'd got anything I'd like to put in it. Well, one old broken up pergola and some old wooden garden furniture later ... I was going to lob it over the fence at a suitable position but then I thought the walk from the back garden out to the road and then down his drive would be good exercise so that's what I did. After that I re-fitted the silencer on the RD and made improved mountings for the head temperature sensors. The silencer looks good, sounds good and no longer emits blue smoke half way along its length. Me thinks a short test flight might be in order 😀 TTFN

Good news! The wallet survived the garden centre intact. As it turned into rather a nice afternoon and I haven't been out on the bikes for a while I thought a short bimble (a bimblette maybe?) was in order. About 20 miles to Old Warden and back. It would have been rude to miss a photo opportunity. TTFN

Morning All First, belated birthday and anniversary greeting to @New Haven Neil. It was a busy day yesterday with about a 6 hour stretch working on the pergola which is a very long stretch indeed for Puppers these days. I even missed my lunch! However, I'm happy to report that after some extensive Wysteria weaving the main part of the pergola is complete and doing its job. I've just got the extension on one side to do now which is one horizontal and one vertical. Still, that can wait for another day. Did I mention that a mate welded up a hole in one of the RD's silencers, I can't remember? Anyway having received back just before our trip away last week I thought I'd have a go at painting it with heat resistant black paint. I'd already wire-brushed all of the remaining black paint off (tougher job than I'd imagined it would be), roughed it up a bit with some coarse Emery cloth and it was dry and calm in the back garden. Until I'd got the Workmate out 🙄 My friend had recommended using Simoniz Very High Temperature paint available in a rattle can. He suggested warming the pipe up with a blow torch before painting so I did this particularly as the ambient temp was a bit on the low side. The paint seemed to go on well and it's looking quite reasonable. It's got to cure for 10+ hours so I'll leave it a day or two and then bolt it back on the bike and I can then go and make some more blue smoke. Then I suppose I ought to remove the other one and re-paint that just to balance it up. Whilst I was thinking about (and moving) motorcycles I thought I would start the AJ and the Beeza and get the oil lurking in their sumps back into their oil tanks, that's the trouble with old bikes. The AJ was a bit reluctant as the sump was quite full as its not run for several weeks but we got there in the end. I also noted that the battery is dead so it will need a replacement. The Beeza started second go using my newly devised "Put it in 4th and wind it backwards up to compression using the back wheel" aka the "Grubby Hand" method. This is only necessary because it doesn't have a decompressor fitted and the kick start gearing makes it very difficult indeed to turn it over with the starter and stop just the other side of top dead centre. The GH method saves Puppers from being worn to a frazzle trying to start it conventionally 😀 Right, I'm told we're off to the garden centre. Wish the wallet luck! TTFN

Oh no! That's a pain. Fingers crossed the damage is limited 🤞

I'm mighty glad that I did as soon as I was able and not hang around for NRD. My main reason was the fact that too many of my former friends and colleagues did so and lasted months not years. Where's the fun in that? In my case, not long after bailing out early Covid struck the world (which rather cramped everyone's style) and then shortly afterwards my "Significant health issue" occurred (usually referred to as the Great Inconvenience). What was brought into very sharp focus for me by my GI is you really, really, really don't know what's just around the corner and (for me at least) that this is it and that life is not a rehearsal*. Two of my really good friends who were short changed; John (after we blagged a flight in a Tiger Moth, I think he enjoyed it) got 13 months after his NRD, Stuey (on the footplate on the Bure Valley Railway) didn't quite make it. They were both well and truly cheated, two nicer chaps you couldn't wish to meet. Go for it Robert! Time for bed I fancy, night all. * I appreciate that there are many who have differing perspectives on this which is fair enough but we'll not go down the route of forbidden topics

Afternoon! I thought I might cut a couple of the cross beams for the pergola this morning. It turned out that I didn't know when to stop so all 5 have been cut, given a good dousing in Creocote and positioned on the pergola after wrestling with the wayward and largely unsupported Wisteria. I fear some prunage may still be required on final assemble but don't mention it to @Winslow Boy! Anyway, at the finish I can claim to be "completely done in" so the planned trip to the hospital this afternoon for a blood test has been deferred until tomorrow (walk-in not an appointment so that's fine). I'm (mostly) pleased with the way the pergola is progressing so a nice relaxing afternoon is being enjoyed. Part of this lack of activity has included watching part of one of two free DVDs that came within a "bargain book" on the dH Comet Airliner I picked up at a garden centre (in Woking if anyone nearby fancies it) over the weekend. The book obviously includes quite a bit about the investigations into the crashes of the early marks including photographs of the fatigue test tanks at Farnborough in which the cause was confirmed. Having spent nearly a year of my my working life working on/in the corresponding tank at Hatfield (not on the Comet, I'm not THAT old!) it would have been rude not to buy it for the bargain price of £9.99. The two DVD "features" I've watched so far were both on the the work of the RAE. One from the '60s and the other from the '80s and most interesting they were too. The one from the '80s especially brought memories flooding back; look there's an HP9835 computer just like the one I used to program! And who can forget those Tektronix Graphics terminals? Early ring laser gyros, UV recorders, rows of manometers, things that suddenly go Whoosh! etc etc, what's not to like? Those of you who have worked on aircraft, missiles or other military equipment will recall "the smells" associated with such kit. I'm sure I could smell them whilst I was watching the videos but I hadn't realised Smelly Vision had been invented. Overall, that impulse purchase has provided a jolly good result and I've not even really looked at the book yet. There was also a book on LMS locomotive design as well which looked good but I didn't think I'd get away with buying two books without a getting stern look so the damage to the wallet was limited ....... TTFN

Evening All Been away for a few days on the south coast. I've been keeping up with ERs but not commenting because that's far too much like hard work on the mobile! We thought we'd go for a walk (more of a blow really) on the causeway around Emsworth Mill Pond which is normally quite a picturesque scene. Unfortunately someone had pulled the plug out* and it wasn't quite as picturesque as usual! Unfortunately someone else had also pulled the plug out of the sea on the other side of the causeway so that wasn't very picturesque either! Did I mention the wind? Perishing! 🤣 Anyway it was a very nice few days away. Shame the same can't be said for the return journey on the M25 today ...... * I later wondered if the plug removal was part of necessary and recent "water management" activities to alleviate flooding further upstream? TTFN

Evening All! Ha! You don't get that nonsense with a 1939 Beeza! I do wish you'd stop doing that. You do realise that bike's now got 19000 miles on the clock and it's not been out of the shed! Completely unbelievable picture. Bear would never avoid a cake that big. Must be a Deep Fake. Next thing you know we'll be seeing a photo of "old pals" Trump & Bear taking a selfie down the pub! I seem to be using the train far more now since the regular and frequent "Up the smoke" hospital visits than I did in the rest of my entire life. The thing that really, really gets my goat and I see it on EVERY TRIP WITHOUT EXCEPTION are the INCONSIDERATE VERMIN who insist on using the opposite seat as a foot stool. It isn't it's a seat for sitting on, and who knows what sh*t you've been walking through beforehand. Maybe it's just me ..... ? ION Busy, busy, busy. The morning (up to a latish lunch) was spent cutting, chiselling, filing and drilling pergola timbers and then erecting the first half of the second side. All finished off with a very generous drowning in Creocote with special emphasis on the end-grain. I was completely done-in at the end of it but it was a good job jobbed so that's a big tick. After lunch was a trip to the (local) hospital for an appointment. Due to unpublicized free parking arrangements this involves a walk (good) but I was already worn-out from this morning's exertions (bad) so I felt even more tired on my return. Then before dinner I had to jump in Monty and drive to a friends house ~15 miles away with an RD200 silencer* that seems to have a hole where it shouldn't. He's going to remove the hole with the aid of his TIG welder. So that's used yet more energy! * Used in a fairly loose manner So time for bed said Zebedee Night All

I didn't, but you've given me an idea ........... 🤣

With or without the cat?

Evening All Well, after what seems like months a short chug was chugged this morning on the Beeza over to Old Warden. As I intend to take it with me as my "local transport" when I'm next on tour with that band I thought I'd better give it a test run 🤣. Although it's a lightweight machine, I'll leave it to the Roadies to load and unload it from the truck. I will help of course - I'll carry the drip tray. All jokes aside, as I've been rather out of both energy and stamina for a couple of weeks I've been struggling to start the meagre little 250 * so this morning I enlisted the assistance of "staff" for the starting procedure. It seemed to work. After lunch a trip to Ampthill Park with Junior Puppers and the Junior Junior Puppers (is that another group?) for a walk and to let them use up some of their excess energy (wish they could just give it to me!). I have to say the park is very good with some very nice walks and great views over some of Bedfordshire's extinct brick fields and is probably best remembered as the location of the Golden Hare buried treasure in the early '80s book Masquerade. You may recall the position of the shadow of the cross of Catherin'e Cross on the Spring equinox marked the spot to start digging. On our return a bit more Pergola timber preparation was undertaken. I'm almost ready to put the first half of the second side up. That will be a good milestone. So, all-in-all quite a busy day for a worn out Puppers. TTFN * In my defence I'll add that it is sans de-compressor and since the last re-build it does have plenty of compression and the kick start gearing does make positioning the piston in precisely the correct point in the cycle (immediately after TDC on the compression stroke) rather tricky. Well that's my excuse and you'll have to take it or leave it.

That's taken me back to when I was small young! There's even a bit of dH Dragon Rapide action in the Newsreel 😀 Being an old "Hatfield Boy" that's a real bonus!

You'll be getting even less Doppler from a stationary speaker! The Doppler from the moving loco is imperceptible (but technically there) at our scales and speeds but you still get the sense of movement of the engine that wouldn't be present with loco sound from a fixed speaker. The Doppler is not the only aspect that gives the impression of motion (and in reality diminishes as the minimum distance to the target increases). If you stand at the middle of a 20' long layout, close your eyes you will be able to tell from which direction the train approaches, when it is level with you and in which direction it is departing (assuming you've got reasonably good and matched hearing) all without the microscopic amount of undetectable Doppler. Just to play Devil's advocate; if you did so, you would also have the benefit of the image of a perfect locomotive pulling a perfect rake of coaching stock in your mind's eye that doesn't have to gloss over that terribly wonky dome, those wobbling carriages, the really poor weathering on that sub-standard paintwork, etc etc 😉 Remember the saying the pictures are better on the radio? I agree that the static sounds of the environment are also needed to truly complete the sound picture but I do believe that sound can add to the atmosphere and the illusion of a model railway. It's certainly not compulsory any more than having to work to a perfect gauge/scale relationship is, or use a real rather than imaginary prototype, exclusion of fixed geometry track work or non-prototypical stock, have working signals etc etc. And ultimately in the case of dispute I believe Rule 1 applies.

Personally I think good sound at an appropriate level can add another, amazing extra dimension of atmosphere and realism but it maybe that sound is generally inappropriate in a public setting as the dualling banjo music and clanging bells from the American logging layout never meshes nicely with a the thrumming sound of a few Class 20s, Class 47s and maybe even the odd Deltic sitting in the loco yard on the layout next door. (My emphasis) I happen to think the capabilities of DCC with sound are excellent but the thing that really puts me right off is the need to move one's focus from the scene in hand to something that looks like a complicated calculator. On top of that you then have to remember all of the cryptic and illogical F6, Shift F12, etc codes (which often differ between manufactures / sound project creators/loco types) and know when to apply them and then remember to apply them at the appropriate times. This pet hate has taken me down another path .... With the advent of DCC++ EX* The opportunity exists to provide a hand controller dedicated to a specific locomotive (type) which opens up a number of possibilities. Now, this will seem completely counter-intuitive to the expert DCC user where the general cut and thrust is that one controller controls everything and you just change the loco number (i.e. the decoder address) to the one that you want to control next but bear with me. If you build an intelligent, dedicated hand controller suited to the specific locomotive (we'll pick on an 08 as that happens to be what I have been working on for an example) it can have replicas of all the relevant controls for that locomotive. It can also include replicas of the (normally quite basic) instrumentation of the real thing and it can start to emulate the operation of a real locomotive rather than just "twiddling a go-faster knob". The really important part is that it rather than you can take charge of operating all those things on a locomotive that make those noises for which otherwise you would normally have to remember to press Shift F16 + F5 (or whatever ....) at the right moment! How does it do this? By building a digital (aka computer) model of the locomotive and its systems. So, my 08 controller models the locomotives speed, its air and vacuum brake systems, its fuel system and a host of other things. It also enforces the "correct" operation of the loco. For example; The 08 has a hand fuel pump used to transfer fuel prior to starting the engine. There's a sound effect of the pump in the decoder (the code might be F11 on your NEC Powercab) which would probably never get used in your race to get that wagon from over here to over there. But in my world the driver (that'll be you then) has to transfer some fuel by operating the pump switch which will then enable him ** to start the engine with the engine start button. Once the engine starts the compressor switches on automatically (some other F code, it's not a real-driver function) and, if the train is to be vacuum braked, the vacuum ejector starts (yet another F code). Of course, you can't instantly pull sufficient vacuum for the train brakes to be released from the start or generate sufficient air pressure to release the locomotive brake. It takes time to build and this is the sort of thing that the digital model models. When the compressor and exhauster have done their stuff and the levels are correct "the locomotive's system" automatically stops them (yes, you've guessed it more flaming F codes) but at least you, the driver in model world, don't need to do anything just like in the real world. So there you are in the cab of your 08 with its engine ticking over and the brake pressures all looking good. You release the brakes by moving the brake handle (more F codes) and open the throttle and start to drag a couple of vans and a mineral wagon down the siding. You see your mate across the way and press the horn button to sound the horn to attract his attention. You check your speed by closing the throttle with a dab on the brake handle (you've guessed it ...). Of course, using the brake consumes some air pressure and vacuum but but the pressures are still within limits so nothing happens. As you approach your intended stopping point a firmer application of brakes is required so suitable brake handle action is required. Continued use depletes the brake system reserves and finally the air compressor and exhauster have to start up to replenish the systems (yet more F codes ......) and when replenished they switch off ( more codes, yes well you get the picture!) Here is a video clip of an early test run. The point to note here is that I just operated the engine start button, the throttle, the brake handle and the horn button to drive the loco, I did not at any time have to enter a flaming F code to turn the Spirax valve, the compressor or exhauster on or off, to set the flange squeal etc etc 😁 The behaviour of the model continues to be refined since the video was made as my knowledge of 08s and their systems continues to increase. Ideally, all of the complicated functionality embedded in my locomotive hand controller (i.e. the digital model) would actually be transferred to the decoder. There would be a number of benefits to do so but unfortunately I do not know if there is spare capacity to do so and writing decoder-embedded software definitely lies outside my skill set! Anyway, this is the current prototype controller; it's relatively cheap (the processor board with WiFi ~£5!), it's purely functional, is incomplete and is not "pretty". Hopefully the final one will be much more ergonomic. Note: my comment about not needing to know about electronics or software in order to build a working DCC++EX controller does not apply to the development of this 08 hand controller! Anyway, isn't the internet wonderful! I've got a comprehensive set of information on the 08 including the details of the engine, generator, brakes, air and vacuum systems, fuel system which makes fascinating reading for someone who spent their entire working life in the aerospace industry (so I'm no real engine driver), I just "went on trains" occasionally as a passenger and of course I've never been on an 08. Now, any help from real diesel drivers (particularly of 08s) out there that can help develop my elementary understanding of driving locomotives would be most welcome. As of course this is Wright Writes and such matters as prototypical driving are not normally aired amongst the more typical photographs of superb modelling I will just throw this in the philosophical discussion pond for the weekend. Is prototypical driving (the ability to drive the engine in the manner of the prototype) any more or less important or relevant than say, the use of prototypical train formations, the correct brick bond on the railway buildings, the use of accurate colours and markings on rolling stock, correctly operated and observed signalling or, dare I say it, the use of correct lamp codes on locomotives on a model railway? Clearly the approach I've outlined here is not suitable for many layouts including LB. We know Tony is never going to be buying DCC decoders for every loco (or any loco come to that) in the LB stud. Also, there's probably not enough room in the shed to house a separate controller for every class let alone every individual loco and this is of course applies to many (but not all) larger layouts. But horses for courses and all that, I think there may be a little corner somewhere in the world of model railways for PuppersProtoEngineDriver ™. Alan * For those who are unaware: DCC++ EX is a cheap, home built DCC system based on the ubiquitous Arduino processor, a couple of cheap plug-in modules and some open source software that crucially does not demand an extensive knowledge of electronics or software to get working. It can be controlled by a wired hand controller or connected by WiFi to a remote handheld device (dedicated hand control, mobile phone App) ** Other genders are of course available

And r e l a x ........... Despite having been a patient at the practice for >42 years they still don't recognise me because "it's a new system". Still, they managed to get there in the end.

Afternoon I used to swear by Bosch products but some years ago I began to question my faith in them. The final straw was when the 13 month old washing machine door hinge failed (basically because it was made of cheese or Mazak) and could only be replaced by a complete new door assembly at over £100 because it had been designed for (cheap) manufacture and note designed for maintenance. Particularly galling as EBay is swimming with replacement washing machine door hinges ~£12. You may recall the story of how I fixed it which involved materials I had (brass rod and epoxy) and a bit of machining. I certainly wasn't going to pay Mr Bosch's price for a completely unnecessary and wasteful new door or take them up on their kind offer of sending an "engineer" round to fix it at a cost. You were lucky! I didn't manage to get to sleep for the first time until gone 4:00am! As I recalled previously, I was rather out of energy yesterday and coupled with the fact that my right ankle started to throb (the result of the Beeza kicking back earlier in the day) the moment I got into bed circa 11:00pm. In the end I went down stairs and sat on the sofa under a duvet with my leg up and just after 3:00 I thought blow this for a game of soldiers and put the TV on. I finally nodded off just after 4:00 only to wake with a start at ~4:30. So I turned the TV off and finally managed to drift off to SnoozyPuppersLand. I decided to do mostly BA today although I'm just about to go to the GP's to pick up a form ..... If you look in the direction of Pupppershire in about 30 minutes there is of course the distinct possibility that you may see a big black mushroom cloud rising through the atmosphere. TTFNQ

I wouldn't be surprised! As Terry Wogan would have said; "Is it me?"

Afternoon I wouldn't recommend it ................................... if you want to retain the ability to paddle at all 🤪 You are correct I do need my beauty sleep (unfortunately I seem to need a lot more sleep these days and it's note because I'm that ugly. Hmm. Me thinks watching a bunch of very LARGE spiders marauding around the Bear Cave in search of LDC and Bear but not necessarily in that order could be a most amusing sport. Lucky CC is on Speed-dial 😀 But without recent soliciting* experience and in the absence of a trustworthy personal recommendation how does one know the good from the bad? I'm sure "just paying more" is not a sure fire way of getting good quality and VFM. In all seriousness, any good advice on this matter would be much appreciated because by nature Puppers is a cynical, untrusting person particularly of such types. The saying respect is hard won and easily lost is most applicable I believe and being fleeced by an over-charging practitioner would really pee me off. * I'm sure that isn't the correct word in this context 🤣 You are on the list ** ** I'm just not sure which one, who owns it and who keeps it up-to-date I agree with the first bit In the context of the Thames (and thus its estuary) the operative words in that statement are: worlds, most & crap mainly due to the fine way the water utility companies have been controlled and handled over the last 30 years or so. And now we've got to pay to put it right! As Bear would say; FFS !!!! Venomous sharks? That's just adding insult to injury 😲 ION I had to go and collect my medication this morning and I thought, as it was nice I'd go on the bike. The Beeza selected itself as it was the most convenient following the recent garage re-arrangement. It was wheeled outside and I togged up and then proceeded to jump up and down on the kick start. Pointlessly as it turned out, the blighter would not start. As Puppers levels of stamina are at an all-time low these days it didn't take much jumping up and down to be completely exhausted. Then to cap it all, it did fire and bit back causing pain to the right ankle. Needless to say it was then thrust back into the garage in disgust. The need to do this was most embarrassing as there has been some recent banter with a few mates telling of the reliability and easy starting of the old Beeza now it's been fixed. Where is the Egg On Face emoji? Perhaps it was listening? Having de-togged I jumped in the car and arrived at the GP's. Imagine my surprise to find the front door locked, with individual interrogation by Checkpoint Charlene for each of the 3 people in the queue (I was 3rd) via the intercomm before being granted access. Once again; FFS ! Having gained admittance I thought I would get a copy of the results of my recent blood tests from reception. The answer was of course "Go online on the NHS App, it's all on there". I pointed out that I was there and so was her computer. She printed the results off which weren't fully populated and included printed hyperlinks (no, they don't work of course). Later at home I logged onto the NHS App. Of course, it's not as simple as that as the access to your records is provided by a 3rd party and you have to register with the 3rd party blah blxxdy blah. So I did. The result? Your GP hasn't enabled your full record, you'll have to ask them to do so before you can access them. So I dutifully found the correct surgery website (a challenge because they've got a few and never actually issued anything that I have to say where this one actually lives), I found the not obvious link to the "Triage Form" (both medical and admin requests are triaged these days) and completed the request quoting the message from the NHS and 3rd party websites so there would be no doubt. Later that same afternoon before I'd finished this post ......... Whilst scoffing dinner just now I received a text from the GP. "Dear Puppers. Thank you for your request If you would like to access your clinical records (I would, that was the whole point of the request) please collect a request form for this from the surgery reception desk. Please provide two forms of ID when asking for this, including one form of photo ID and one with proof of address, i.e. (sic) a utility bill you may have (paperless billing Sir?). This can then be processed for you. Many thanks. DRs Noody & Big Ears, The Fred Karno Surgery" Whilst I am more than happy that ALL organisations are OR SHOULD BE very careful with my private data do the facts that I already have access to their online meds ordering facility (via both their original website and the NHS one) and the fact that I've been collecting a large bag of meds from them every month for 3 years and I've had appointments discussing my numerous ailments count for nought? And, if I may be so bold, why didn't the "helpful reception person" point this out to me when I was standing there in person rather than just spout off "Just use the NHS App, it's all on there"? Perhaps I understand why the door was locked? 🤔 Well-Peeved of Puppershire

Afternoon I think not but it did land and it did communicate so lets give them 7/10 The trouble is that most of these courses are nugatory in terms of actually training anyone in anything and ultimately they are purely there to as BB so succinctly put it "... then the managers have covered their arses". They also have the added benefit of providing plenty of ticks to go in boxes to make jumped-up middle management look as if they've achieved something (no wonder I always declined "people management" roles!). But by grassing someone up I'm sure they'd be mightily offended and thus they would have a legitimate reason for invoking the professionally offended grievance procedure ........... But ultimately such a broad brush approach is wasteful of peoples time (time is money), it diminishes respect, is frustrating and as you have already described earlier essentially just donkey covering and is therefore entirely pointless unless you happen to own the donkey! A number of organisations I have visited did keep track of "Briefings" & "Clearances" meaning you were at least only subjected to them once in a time period (1, 2, 3 years etc) otherwise you were escorted at all times by a responsible person, it can be done, it's not that tricky if the organisation CBA. All 3 in the order: C in order to get a ride in the Lambo A in order to get her hands on some of that money B in order to stitch him up and "Do the right thing" 😁 Behold! It's Schroedinger's motorway! We've got one of those in Puppershire Does anyone actually understand the logic behind the current Shingles inoculation criteria because this (slightly immune suppressed) Pup doesn't! As soon as you are 65 you qualify but if you are 65 then you have to wait until 70. What's that all about? Which reminds me the pharmacy said it was "quite expensive" @£13 a shot if I wanted to pay for it and not wait. Seems like a good deal to me, I must go and have it done! My poor (nearly Centenarian) Mum has just had a dose of it mainly around the eye and it really isn't funny at all. Fortunately in her case it didn't hang around. A former colleague (much younger than a 100) had it in and around the eye and he was off work for 18 months and very nearly lost the sight in that eye. My "Uncle Bob" (actually just a family friend) also served in Burma and was into motorcycles in general, AJS/Matchless in particular (shame he never got to see my AJ). Imagine his dismay when a spotty 17 year old Alan turned up on a Honda with a big grin on his face. How was I to know? He would not entertain the idea of anything Japanese at all to the day he died which I perfectly understand now but must have got increasingly difficult as the 70's and 80's wore on. ION More Pergola prep work has been undertaken; mostly disassembly of the next bit and re-locating the new timbers from the storage location (see I didn't mention the S word) to the "Machining workshop" (The G word). We've decided someone else can cook tonight so we're off down the pub 😀 TTFN