PupCam

9 hours ago, john new said:

<snip> I am not quite as anti DCC as some as I am trying to modernise my 71 year old brain to master it. I have three diesels bought with sound as I wanted to try it out.

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.

9 hours ago, john new said:

<snip>  Not finding them to be what I wanted. Horn sound on two of them is not right to my ear and for two of the others so many options that if you haven’t passed out as driver on the real thing you’ve  no idea when to use them or for things like flange squeal have forgotten the button sequence to activate them at an appropriate spot on the track! As for steam sounds most of what I have heard on other people’s examples is no better generally than Hornby’s old sand paper tricks.

(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

4 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Todays duties include stripping the cordless mower, that has developed a fault with the control board, it would appear. Pah, it's not very old either, I bet this costs almost as much as new mower to repair.  I normally swear by Bosch products, but this time I swear at them.

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.

2 hours ago, polybear said:

Bear here.....

Awake at sillyo'clock ☹️ (0330) thanks to the wee wee fairy - b1tch;

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

Afternoon

7 hours ago, polybear said:

35 lengths pupperz paddled this morning (0.71 miles, according to Alexa) - that's the record so far, and results in a very tired Teddy.

I did feel guilty (and somewhat selfish) that @PupCam puppers missed out yet again though - perhaps his alarm clock isn't reliable?

So......

Does the combined wisdom of fellow ER'ers feel that the right and proper thing to do in future would be for Bear to phone Puppers at 0400 on paddlin' days (landline and mobile) to make sure he doesn't miss out?

I wouldn't recommend it ................................... if you want to retain the ability to paddle at all  🤪

6 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I would definitely advise against doing so as A) Puppers needs his beauty sleep, and B) due to recent events, Puppers now has Captain Cynical’s personal cellphone number.

 

Push your luck too far Bear and an early morning phone call from Puppershire could well result in you becoming subject to CC’s “special personalised attention”.

 

It won’t be pleasant and will involve very LARGE spiders….

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 😀

20 hours ago, Tony_S said:

It is better though to get it done properly. We had our wills sorted/updated a few years ago. We felt it was dealt with very well. Mil needed to sort hers out but she wouldn’t use our solicitors (too expensive apparently).The difference was quite noticeable. 

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 🤣

4 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Ouch......🤣

3 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

 

 

 

"OK,  so the induced coma drugs definitely seem to be working -  nurse, hit him with another 6 weeks worth just to be sure!"     

 

 

 

 

You are on the list **

** I'm just not sure which one, who owns it and who keeps it up-to-date

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I can see why so many people went to Australia from South Essex in the past.  Apart from the Harbour bridge and the warship it looks just like the Thames Estuary…

I agree with the first bit

1 hour ago, monkeysarefun said:

And to further add to your side of the ledger, the Thames Estuary has   a very admirable lack of Bullsharks  ( the worlds most crap sharks!)

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 !!!!

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

.... there are venomous sharks in the Thames Estuary now called Spurdogs.

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

5 hours ago, polybear said:

Bear here....

Mission accomplished - Bear's hind paws hit the water at 0610am, closely followed by the rest of Bear.  30 Laps** completed (0.6miles - or 1Km if you prefer funny munny).  @PupCam Puppers was notable by his absence - again.  Lightweight.

Bear is now back at Bear Towers - still breathing as well, which is kinda useful.  Knackered though.  First mission is to make the Beary Pit; after that it's MIUABGA.

Well the reason I couldn't join you in the  pond this morning was because I had a prior engagement for another trip "Up the Smoke" to the hospital for some lung function tests.    Luckily they still are so breathing continues.    Otherwise you know I'd have been alongside you, swimming up and down while you demonstrated the finest Beary paddle stroke.    Maybe next time*?

I got to the station nice and early and thought hang the expense I'll not wait for a the Off Peak period to start as I've got my Senior Railcard to help reduce the pain.      One thing I didn't realise (or had forgotten) was you can't use such things during the morning peak period.    Mega TCs!         So I had an hour sitting around on the station instead of in the hospital which of course meant that I could have a cheap day return and use the Railcard.       It meant I was cutting it fine at the other end but in the event it didn't matter as they were short staffed and running 3/4 hour late anyway!     I'm such a Cheapskate 😀

*Probably not actually;   I seem to have  lost the urge to plunge into water whether it be contained in a pool or going freestyle in that thing they call the sea.     I'll stick to walking for exercise.

ION

Not a lot to report!

TTFN

2 minutes ago, BoD said:

That’s not rocket science … just basic map reading skills.

This should be all we need then  🤣

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water cake shop......

The Bear's back........😱

 

Apologies for being AWOL for so long....and many thanks for the kind thoughts and messages - it's much appreciated.

 

All down to a significant dose of the dreaded BD (well actually there was a huge pack of 'em, all the size of horses) of the sort I've never experienced before (or ever wish to again).  Hopefully they've got fed up and are in the process of p1ssing off to annoy someone else instead now.

 

Bear has just started swimming drowning a couple of times a week (the first since being in a Hotel Pool back in 2016) as part of the process - I can think of better things to be doing at 0615am though (sleeping being one of them - but there's diddly squat chance of that).  I am managing 0.6 miles (1Km) in a session now though - I even overtook someone on Monday (so what if she was in her 80's.....).

 

I also now do a lot of walking - about 3 hilly miles on most days.  Why all this health madness?  Well I had a medic check a few weeks back and as part of that discovered that I'm not 5' 10" after all - but 5' 7".  Why does this matter?  Well my previously nicely in the green BMI is now not so nicely in the amber.  Turdycurses.

 

Cake?  Nope (I even turned down a free mince pie on Monday - but don't spread it about).  Bikkies?  One a day, tops.  Chips/Curly Fries/Hash Browns/sweets/spuds?  Nope.  Calorie counting?  Yep......

Double Piggin' Turdycurses.

The once-a-week Pizza stays though - even this Bear has limits.

 

I've also started volunteering at the local Hospice (doing Warehouse and Delivery work to their Shops) - it gets me out n' about and mixing with other people.  Working somewhere where they are all friendly, welcoming and appreciative is a real culture shock after 39 years "being a number" in The Great Empire.....

 

Oh yes, and I've even been planning things to do with bits of brass and a gearbox - the first such thing since well before chrimbo.

 

BG

YAY!     He's back!     

That's great news!

25 minutes ago, BoD said:

When people quote that “it’s not rocket science”, they forget that, in the main, rocket science isn’t that difficult.  It’s the rocket engineering that can be challenging.

My emphasis, I'll leave you to check the workings-out for the Voyager trajectories then and you can report back and compare your answers with NASA's ..... 

I note from this link that they assessed more than 10000 trajectories during the mission planning.      I would have enough  trouble picking 1 from 10!

All jokes aside, what an astonishingly successful programme Voyager has been; 46 years and they are still "doing science" with the vehicles albeit getting them to send the data back is proving a little troublesome currently.   It must soon be time for them to stop work, put their metaphorical feet up and then just enjoy the ride.    

Just for amusement I thought I'd take a screen grab from the simulation of "where Voyager 1 currently is" and see if Astrometry.net (an online tool for identifying  stars) could work it out.

Here's the screen grab of the simulation I took (with the wick turned up so you can see more stars)

Well, it turns out that it could so I'd say that's a pretty darn good simulation of the sky you are looking at on that page.   Why am I not surprised?

Philosophical thought for the evening:     Astrometry.net is used for analysing the star fields and identifying stars  from Earth.     In our terms Voyager 1 is now a very long way from Earth, it's left the solar system some years ago and yet it's actually gone such a tiny, tiny distance in the Universe that the stars from its position look just the same as they do down here.   Makes you think doesn't it!

And on that bombshell I'll say Goodnight!

Don't forget your homework @BoD 🤣

Evening!

6 hours ago, woodenhead said:

I am!  A spacecraft in space between say the Earth and Jupiter can use rockets to change thrust and direction.  I just thought you needed something to act against i.e. a gravitational force such as a planet otherwise you are pushing against nothing.

 

Of course in the absence of any force you just keep going in a straight line until a gravitational force catches hold of you and alters your course.

It does need something to push against but it's not that the external exhaust is pushing against something, in essence the force is generated internally and presses on the inside front end of the vehicle but it does not have a corresponding force on the inside back end of the vehicle to counteract it because there's a flippin great hole (the exit nozzle) through which the gas escapes.   The net longitudinal  force is therefore forward hence the vehicle moves forwards according to Mr Newton.   Once the gas leaves the nozzle it doesn't matter what is outside;  air, a vacuum,  marshmallow .... it's job has already been done.

https://howthingsfly.si.edu/media/balloons-and-propulsion

ION

A certain amount of garage re-arrangement has occurred as has  another bash at timing the RD.   Checked with the strobe I would say the timing is very close with just a minimal discrepancy between left and right cylinders but it's going to have to be "Good enough for rockets"  (as we used to say at work) because the timing adjustment on the 50 year old Japcrap bike is very crude; timing plate held in place by two screws in slotted holes with some very coarse teeth to lever against to move the plate whilst looking for a piston position accuracy of 1/10 of a mm if not better.     It's easy to move it a mm or more either way, much harder to get it any more accurate although it's better than it was.

We'll see how it goes.

I understand my services as a Barista are required.

TTFN

Morning!

16 hours ago, PupCam said:

Agreed!     The original radio play was by far the best form.   

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Hmmm, although the film was flawed (how can you condense something as multi-layered and as long as the original HHGTTG into 90 minutes?). I thought the casting of Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) and Bill Nighy (Slartibartfast) almost completely spot-on. But the real standouts - for me - were Stephen Fry’s lugubrious narration and Alan Rickman’s absolutely-completely-nailed-it voice acting of Marvin The Paranoid Android.

It does seem that Lufthansa (and SWISS) seem to be following British Airways in that they are turning themselves into (basically) a flying omnibus company - targeting the “cheap as chips” passenger segment.

Not sure I ever saw "the film"but I could imagine Stephen Fry narrating it.   The TV series was moderately amusing but way, way inferior to the original radio play (the pictures in your mind are always better).   I can't say that Zaphod with his extra false head stuck on his right shoulder looked anything other than completely comical and false in the TV series and Sandra Dickenson's squeaky voice was, well what can one say?  

The radio plays came before the books - it was a commissioned radio drama originally and I still think that was its best form.

ION

Windy, damp and squidgy .      Yes that just about sums it up.

I finally got round to buying a timing light recently after all these years  (would have been handy 50 years ago but you can't rush these things) and I've given it a quick test on the RD this morning.     It shows that the left hand pot is still slightly retarded (better that  than advanced!).  So  I need to re-arrange the garage;  the Beeza is currently at the back sitting on the bike ramp with the RD alongside it on the ground.   I need to remove them, park the Beeza on the ground at the back and bring the ramp forward to put the RD on it so I can work on it at a sensible  height.    Yes, I know, I'm "vertically challenged"  so not that far from the floor anyway but I don't do bending down/over and scrabbling around on the ground these days.

I've been fiddling around with some of my early lunar imagery taken with Junior Puppers' Canon mirrorless body in my early astrophotography attempts.   Some of them aren't too bad at all so I should be able to make something of a better result but so far the improvement is evading me.     Persistence that's what's needed .....

TTFN

Evening All!

5 hours ago, Flanged Wheel said:

Despite being an Olympic-class reader, and studying physics at university, I’ve never got into science fiction (beyond HHGTTG & even that was better as the original radio series).

 

Agreed!     The original radio play was by far the best form.    

4 hours ago, southern42 said:

I am more your occasional fiction reader. As a kid it started with Enid Blyton adventure books and progressed onto other out in the countryside fiction adventure books.

Anyone here remember the Billy Brewster stories?   About the height of my early fiction reading.     Never really did take to fiction.

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I found this amongst the books Mrs iD read as a teenager and never threw away.

 

One for @DaveF or @Gwiwer perhaps?

Here!   That's not our correspondent from the Distant Signal (West) as a younger man is it?       He kept that sort of business quiet.

ION

Had a great day with the two Junior Junior Puppers (its half-term this week hereabouts).    Elder JJP has a fascination with floods at the moment so we went over to Great Barford to see how the Great Ouse is doing.     It is at least river shaped again although, as you can see, there doesn't seem to be much use for the weir and the lock at the moment still!   I think the drop is ~6'-8'   normally.

TTFN

Evening All

10 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I would argue that cheap Chinese knockoffs are far worse for the mercantile well-being of developed countries than a small (Western) company making a limited number of copies of long-defunct and out of production classic cars (I don’t see why JLB [or other big company] don’t approach such tiny manufacturers not with writs but with an offer of a licence to build replicas if the replica manufacturer can meet certain standards).

True but I would suggest they don't do so because it is difficult impossible to nail jelly to a wall which is what it would be like doing I would imagine.

10 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Though  that said - that thing would be heaps of fun to try on the Lake Eyre  or Lake Gairdner  salt flats!  (Is that @PupCam at 1:05?)

Sadly not although that Beeza looks frightfully modern.  Why, it's even got Tele forks so is probably only 75 years old! 🤣

7 hours ago, Sidecar Racer said:

 Nice video but sadly ruined by the music .

I've heard far worse and, on the right video it would be OK although I can't help thinking the noise from the combustion of petrol and air would have been adequate in this case at best or at worse swap the respective volumes of the music and the exhaust notes.

ION

A most pleasant day was spent with a certain Mr P. Bear at the East Beds MRC exhibition in Biggleswade.  Fortunately at no time did I have to reach for my Bosch Cordless Bear Tormentor!  © @iL Dottore      We happened to stumble on the primary contributor to Wright Writes and in between his customers we spent some time putting the world to rights once again.   Once again, the world probably wasn't listening.    It's loss ....

Having said only yesterday I haven't had a curry for ages due to the potential after effects during the night, when I got home I found an invitation to Junior Puppers for a curry!     Oh well, you have to live dangerously sometimes and I have to say it was very nice indeed.    Industrial doses of GAV are on stand-by and I suspect I'll be propped up for most of the night.    Wish me luck 🤣

TTFN

Evening All

35 minutes ago, Smiffy2 said:

It's been a funny old day.

Fancied a curry last night, it was delicious, but I was woken, choken, at 4am with awful acid reflux. Spent the rest of the night sitting up...

Sorry to hear that, I know from experience that that is not pleasant, particularly when it decides to go back down the trachea which results in that organ deciding to shut up shop completely,both literally and metaphorically speaking.       Most important thing then is to remain calm and remember Don't Panic (that's two HHGTTG  references in 24 hours)  but I find that much easier to say than do.

As it happens, we went out to see friends this evening for a Take Away and social gathering.   I really fancied a curry but it was way too late in the day for that so the blander (but still not without some risk due to the oiliness) Chish and Fips option was chosen.      A precautionary slurp of Gaviscon will be taken in addition to the daily medication.

Night All

Morning (pre-munch) All!

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Oooh, oooh, oooh.

Can I have one, please?

Pretty please with knobs on!
Me want!
ME WANT!

I fear Flavio is rather unwell.   Quick quick, get the doctor.    Oh no, he is the doctor ......

We need a Plan B

4 hours ago, BSW01 said:

Today is Sheila’s birthday,

Happy Birthday to Shelia

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

An added complication is that the bands that geostationary satellites (such as used for satnavs) can orbit are a lot narrower. This is because the satellite stays in orbit by matching its speed to the rate at which gravity is trying to make it fall. Too little speed and it will fall and burn up in the atmosphere, too much and it will fly off into space. As it happens navigation satellites have to be 'tweaked' every so often to retain accuracy.

GPS constellation satellites aren't geostationary which is why your GPS receive knows (and sometimes tells you) how many satellites are visible at any instant at your location amongst many other things.  They operate at an altitude of ~12,500 miles somewhere in between the low earth orbit stuff  (Starlink ~300 miles, ISS ~ 250 miles etc) and the very narrow geostationary altitude at around ~ 22,300 miles. 

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I think you are confusing GPS satellites with communication satellites. 

Agreed

42 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Afternoon all. 
 

Second training watch completed to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
 

The view from the office wasn’t too shabby either. That there was a view at all was a pleasant surprise.  With warm moist air over cool land we could have had more dense fog. 
 

 

Where is your office Rick?       I often look at the St Ives webcam (when doing my BP) and note there's a Coast Guard station there and I wondered if that was where you went but from that view it doesn't look like it!

ION

Sometimes I think my humour is wasted.     Moving on  .....

Pergola status: 

      2 Upright made ................................................................  3 to go

      1 Horizontal beam made ................................................. 2 to go

      0 Cross boards (with twiddly ends) made ..................... 5 to go

      2 Uprights & 1 cross beam erected and Crecoted ....... Tick

Whilst up a step ladder Crecoting the embryonic new pergola an Apache  flew over east to west about 100 yards south of me.     If it was above 500'   I will definitely  eat my hat.    If only I'd had a decent camera to hand.  Indeed, if only I had a decent camera!

Anglian Water have turned up today to dig up the pavement approximately 30' south of the recently excavated and filled hole containing the nice shiny new electrical connection to the first nice shiny new pole.    Whilst I don't think the water leak that has appeared very, very, very recently can or should be linked to the recent electricity board shenanigans I can't help thinking of this 

All being well I'll be meeting up with the Bear tomorrow with the intention of going to look at some unmentionable objects running on parallel bits of metal.

Right, it's munch time.

TTFN

Evening!

6 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

That really surprises me - sounds like someone is exploiting the credulity of the motoring public. My 13-year-old Zafira is ULEZ compliant, as is pretty well any petrol car of the last twenty years.

4 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Absolutely. The Little Red Driving Box is 14 years old and fully compliant.

Perhaps a rather sweeping generalisation?     Petrol Monty is not 20 years old but is NOT COMPLIANT (and he certainly doesn't like that E10 petrol rubbish).   

I realise of course that the Ford Mondeo is  a very rare, performance car and clearly not designed for driving round the streets of London*  (where's the tongue in cheek Emoji?).   Thankfully the need to subject him (and me) to the delights of driving "in London" can be counted on the fingers of one foot.

* Other ULEZs may soon be available

3 hours ago, Sidecar Racer said:

 I agree it can be tested but proving excessive noise is more difficult as it

can be personal interpretation , what one finds to much another thinks it's fine .

Unfortunately it doesn't depend on personal interpretation it depends on measurement against a standard to a procedure.   Now you and I would probably suggest that the defined measurement procedure is somewhat dubious and open to miss application but it's got nothing to do with personal interpretation.

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Alas. Marketing.

What?   By the Government!

There was a time when motorists in the UK were positively encouraged by officialdom to buy diesel vehicles "to save the planet"** by, amongst other things, advantageous tax levels on diesel fuel.

** Now they've moved on to  persuading manufacturers and users that the best way to save the planet is to dig up copious amounts of  lithium and other materials and make loads of batteries.  You know my views on that approach ....   I dare say the tide will turn again sometime.

ION

Not a lot to report.     Work has started on making the new pergola but don't get too excited, the first beam has been measured and drilled ready for cutting the two slots but that's all.

A visit by Mrs Puppers'  sister & brother-in-law today resulted in a fair amount of  "Putting the World to rights"  with all of the usual suspects being discussed.    Unfortunately I suspect the world wasn't listening.

TTFN

Afternoon

18 hours ago, Tony_S said:

The autocorrect on this device seems to have gone mad over the last few days. I dislike it trying to correct URLs, allowing gibberish to remain or to correct correctly spelt words.

When Aditi was writing her doctoral thesis, at first I would hear her tell the PC off when Word suggested her sentences were too long or that hermeneutic was not a word. Instead of creating a special dictionary she just turned off style adviser and spellcheck. 
 

I'm reminded once more of this don't play it if easily offended by language but it makes me chuckle .....

3 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

My N gauge friend (he's very small) here - a US modeller - is the secretary of the Rolls-Royce Motor club here.  He's terribly posh, having being the manager of a private bank, the sort that deals with the folk iD is talking about, and err, EIIR, that's a clue, but he puts up with us with good grace.  I even got a go in his R-R!  Some of his pals are in that social group, and by simple observation it is obvious they don't buy clothes from M&S.  There are some very, very, rich people on this rock.

I'm reading an interesting book at the moment concerning the activities of Mr Royce, Mr Rolls and numerous others that culminated in the R-R Merlin engine.     ("Merlin" by Graham Hoyland)   I quite fancy a Silver Ghost* but can't quite find enough spare beans.

*  A proper one, not one of those garish, modern abusers of the name.

ION

Out on the RD on Saturday for another run over to Woburn for a caffeine based drink before getting slightly moist just as it was time to go home.  Fortunately it didn't come to much because, as you know, Puppers doesn't do wet!

Yesterday Mrs Puppers and I tried to go for a walk along the Great Ouse at Great Barford.     It didn't go well because, well, the Great Ouse is currently everywhere 🤣.   It was a shame that we couldn't get onto the bridge that overlooks the weir.   I suspect the water's flow rate would have been extremely impressive.   I suspect that there wasn't a lot of difference between the levels either side actually.   

We thought we'd cut our losses and go and have lunch at the Danish Camp.    It was more like the Danish Ark but it was still functioning and lunch was enjoyed.     

When we went back to the car park some bright Herbert had neatly parked their monstrous, new modern vehicle in the gateway from the car park to the footpath.   The precision with which they'd lined it up between the two "NO PARKING"  cones had to be seen to be believed.        I won't name the brand of vehicle as I have no wish to offend anyone.   The only clue is probably the fact that I've actually mentioned the incident at all ..... 

Apparently I might be visited this afternoon by a chap who might want to relieve me of some pre-war BSA spares.  It would be nice if I could recover some of the money expended getting the old Beeza back on the road.

UPDATE:  

I have been visited by a member of the local VMCC.       He has left with a phone full of BSA B21 photographs, a B21 engine push rod tunnel and a B21 engine tappet cover plate.    He seemed please but I don't think I'm going to get rich quick selling Beeza spares!    Never mind, hopefully another one will be saved and back on the road soon.

TTFN

Evening All

I replaced an LED strip-light in the garage today.   It is the second of 3 that have failed now as they approach their 1st anniversary.   As both failed in the same manner I queried with the supplier whether this was typical (if so, not very good) or maybe a batch problem.     They did not admit to either a typical or batch failure but have replaced the two failed ones and at my suggestion provided a spare for the last remaining original one.     They did this very quickly so I have to thank them for the no-quibble replacements but I'd I've preferred lights that didn't need replacing in the first place!    We'll see what happens as we approach the second anniversary.

I need to drill some 1/2" holes in the replacement pergola beams.   For literally some years I've been tripping over my box of flat-blade  timber boring tools in the garage.   Recently I must have put them in a safe place .....

Can I find them now?    Well of course not.

On the last couple of RD rides I've noticed the right-hand cylinder has been running a bit warmer (typically ~75°C) than the left-hand cylinder (typically ~62°C).  Now I don't know what the actual correct temperature is but I reckon that in general they should, if they are sharing the load, be running close to the same temperature as they are similar in design and operate in a simple, symmetrical environment.      As I'm paranoid about holing a piston either though an over-advanced ignition or a lean mixture I thought I would check the timing.      Both sets of new points had closed up a bit, I suspect because the heal of the followers had bedded in so that was corrected and the right-hand (hot) pot was slightly advanced so that was also corrected.        Both plugs looked OK but if anything very, very slightly rich.    The plugs are not really a very good indication of mixture here as the engine hadn't been run continuously at Wide Open Throttle for any length of time immediately prior to stopping it (for the so-called "Plug Chop") but I'll see how the temperatures are next time out.     Why am I paranoid about holing a piston on a "performance" 2 stroke?      Been there, done that, got the T Shirt in my boy-racer days  .......

Still playing with Jupiter.    I quite like the subtly of this one but this highlights the next problem; repeatability 🤣 

Unfortunately my efforts are knocked into a cocked hat by the clever people on one of the Faceache astronomy groups as can be seen here.   In my defence; his telescope, mount and camera is most likely far higher quality & performance than my humble beginner's job.   But then only a 3 figure sum was spent on the equipment not a 4 (or even 5) figure sum.      All in good time.

Anyway full credit to the photographer/astronomer whose name I have unfortunately misplaced despite ploughing through the Fb pages trying to find it again - it's a beautiful image.

Time for bed said Zebedee

Night all.