Darlington_Shed

To quote a Steeleye Span gig of distant memory, an affliction known as "the Blue Bonnet plague".

I had that very image as a jigsaw around 50 years ago 😱. Occupied many a wet afternoon in school holidays. Enjoying a quiet day here... Mrs Shed drove her dad back to Newcastle yesterday, returning home by rail last night, and other guests have also departed. Bliss!

One of the seasonal annoyances is the fact that shops think Christmas starts in November (or earlier); even more annoying is the fact they think Christmas is all over on Christmas Day. Went to the local shops today to stock up on essentials and the Christmas playlist has already given way to classic rock from the 60s and 70s. Otherwise, today has been our main celebration - my sister and BiL arrived today, eldest son and his wife also arrived, as did two of our closest friends, so tonight was party night - together with another round of present giving and receiving. A glazed ham was enjoyed with roast potatoes, braised sprouts and parsnip mash, followed by a variety of desserts and/or cheese. I have managed to outstay all of the guests who are now sleeping so I get to enjoy a quiet hour with a glass of something festive. Remember: today was only day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas... enjoy the other 10!

I've become a big fan over the last year. And was given three new (to me) titles this morning, among a total of seven book gifts. I love books 😃

Currently hiding here while the rest of the family is watching Strictly. The traditional feast will be eaten at 7pm and then we'll find a movie to watch with alcoholic accompaniment. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

How did they know?

Just had an unexpected Christmas bonus. A mail order food delivery arrived last night - Boxing Day ham, pork pie, sticky toffee pudding, among others - but was accompanied by another box I wasn't expecting. However, it had my name and address so took it in and opened it. Someone is missing their Christmas goodies - enough bacon to feed a small army, several packs of charcuterie, cheese biscuits and sundry other delights. Rang the supplier this morning and it appears they have strict timing rules for food deliveries so declined the option to collect it. "Enjoy it with our compliments," they said. Well, if you insist. Freezer is now stuffed with bacon, and we have two large pork pies ready for consumption. The only problem is that the Christmas Ocado order is due this afternoon and I'm not sure the fridge can accomodate it.

Series 2 of 'Reacher' starts this week... Friday, maybe? Mrs Shed and I have agreed that we will pursue a policy of strict episode rationing to eke it out as long as possible. Loved the first series. Also agree about Netflix Korean output - some excellent stuff there. I'm almost at the end of 'Rugal' and missing it already.

Had to give myself a stern talking-to yesterday - found myself humming White Christmas 😠

I own one of Mr Rice's books for the American market; I was fooled by the title "Compact Layout Design". I don't think there's anything in there that will fit in a room smaller than 12'x12'.

It's well-known that a tidy bench is the sign of a sick mind.

No idea, sorry. We've already exhausted my knowledge of the early days of the royal relationship 😄

A lifetime ago, I was a trainee reporter on the Harwich and Manningtree Standard (circulation c. 7,000 on a good week). Similar stories were commonplace, my favourite involving a Beemer driver who gave the customers officers rather too much attitude. They duly stripped his car down to individual parts and, having found nothing illegal, offered him an apology "for the delay" but left him with the task of reassembly. For a tiny, faraway corner of the country Harwich was a surprisingly fun place to work. Our staff photographer (in those days every newspaper office, of any size, had one) bagged himself a global scoop when he snapped Princess Anne and Mark Philips snogging on the rear deck of a ferry before the relationship was public (they were en route, with horses, to some eventing competition on the continent). The company made a fortune in sydication fees for those pictures.

Slackers!

I dream of the day... as opposed to dragging stuff onto the dining table and then, too soon, having to put it all away again. One day a room of doom will be mine 🤪

Tidy 👍

The line I mentioned was very much a recognition that most IT "standards" of 20-30 years ago were largely non-standard. I don't think we needed you serious grown-ups to point out the shortcomings.

When I worked in IT we had this one: Standards are so important, everyone should have their own.

I've got a butterflied leg of lamb on the go here. To be served with roast potatoes and beetroots (both from Mrs Shed's allotment) and some broccoli. Looking forward to it!

Or atop a chocolate pudding covered in cream... I think we need to know how and where Phil acquired the picture.

Easy... I'm normal; you're eccentric; they're completely nuts.

I think I've discovered the problem!

As I suspected, I've read none of them, winners or shortlisted. In fact, apart from Pat Barker's Regeneration I'm pretty sure I've never read any of the authors. I do read, a lot - averaging about 50-60 books a year for the last few years, much reduced from around 150-200 a year in previous decades. I've not read any new SF for years, since - I think - William Gibson's cyberpunk series. I do regularly re-read Heinlein, Asmov, Clarke and the other SF greats - an old man's comfort reading 😃

Luke, thanks very much for documenting this in such detail. I have an Arch Laser kit for the Siphon C - but in N gauge. It's been interesting (and helpful) to see how you approached this build! I expect I'll be referring to this multiple times when I get round to starting.