Tony_S

At the school I went to (a long long time ago) those studying science subjects did not take General Studies, just some English examination to prove to universities that we were literate.

My Matthew got a C in the AS General Studies. He is now taking the A2 General Studies course (not compulsory now) as he thinks he may need all the points he can get(he knows which Universities "count" General Studies and those that don't).

If a subject is "compulsory" you may find that it is possibly because it attracts funding for the school/college without incurring too many staffing or consumable costs.

Tony

Hello,

Blue sky, no cloud but rather cool as I put the bin-bags and recycling stuff out. I don't know if I have anything planned for today. As the new bookshelf hasn't fallen over, I may put some books on it, or I may just carry on reading Blood, Iron and Gold by Christian Wolmar. Robbie will require a walk at some time later this morning.

Tony

It has turned into quite a nice afternoon here weather wise.

 

Makes a change to see the Sun!

It is now raining heavily here. Robbie was confused slightly on the walk as the stream he usually jumps over and paddles in is about 20 foot wide now and must be 6ft deep today.

It looks quite nice north of here. Anyway I'm just off to buy some sort of hardware to stop the new bookshelf falling over if someone (not me) climbs up it rather than getting a step-stool. IKEA always include a safety strap in their shelves and cabinets.

Tony

Like this.....?

 

I think the person I saw did it more convincingly!

Yes, I suppose you are right. It is the risk of tripping getting in and out.

 

Wikipedia has an interesting article on Paternosters.

 

I am relieved to say that my "up and over" didn't result in me getting stuck in the drive chain :icon_wow:

There seemed to be a few comedians at Essex who while going over the top did a handstand. This did seem to confuse some of the onlookers as they saw an inverted person in the descending lift.

Like Eldavo I too saw the Essex paternoster while I was on a pre university visit/interview. I didn't go there. Matthew went on a University of Essex open day recenty but the architecture put him off (apparently he thought it looked like "it had been designed by s pair of depressed Soviet Union era architects who didn't talk to each other".

There were many GEC Marconi establishments around here. I used to collect my brother-in-law from Chelmsford and take him back on Sunday night. He only did the first year of an electronics sandwich (a chip butty?) course after he decided he would rather study medicine.

It is raining here but looking brighter, (I nearly forgot the weather report!)

Tony

I went on one sometime last century at Essex University. Some people seemed to get quite excited about it.

Hello all.

It is very sunny here and the forecast predicts it will remain so. No back ache (less thanusual in fact this morning) after playing trains yesterday. Perhaps playing trains is the new Pilates.

Wife and child are back to college; dog and I are not.

Tony

Be careful how you lift it.

Just for once I'm not going to have to. I couldn't collect the bookcase as it is just to big for the Scenic and so I paid for delivery but that does include carrying it upstairs and unwrapping it. I'll have fun putting my books on it, as it is going next to my desk on the landing.

Actually I don't mind having been evicted from the "study" when my wife started studying again. The landing area is rather warmer and more spacious, though I hope my draught-proofing of the garage has helped the study to be less draughty. I think this must be one of the design faults of rooms over integral garages. I've wondered about why do building regs insist on fire resistant doors from the house to garage but not fire resistant garage ceilings. Perhaps they do now!

Tony

Hello, I'm back from the exhibition at Colchester. I'd never realised just how back-achy operating trains at an exhibition could be. Tomorrow should be a relaxing day though as I'm waiting in for a bookshelf to be delivered.

Tony

Good morning.

It doesn't seem as wet and windy as was predicted but it is quite early still. I'm off in a minute to the Colchester exhibition.

Tony

We kept lots of toys and baby things in case Matthew wasn't an only child. I didn't think my wife was particularly sentimental about things but when she objected to my plan to use the baby bath I'd stored in the loft, to bathe the dog when he was a puppy I realised my error.

We seem to have the British child car seat collection in our loft as well as the small mammal cage collection. I don't quite remember how I got the rat cage (Matthew may want more "one day") in the loft as it seems bigger than the loft trap.

We have tried to give stuff away but it seems to be difficult. Fortunately our neighbours had the children's bikes and climbing frames for their grandchildren so the garage and garden are not as congested as the loft.

My Mrs S was so pleased with the draught proofing of the garage door(her study is over the garage) that she said I must spend some time getting my trains ready for the Colchester exhibition tomorrow. As I'm only taking one loco and some boxcars that wouldn't take too long but I could of course check some alternative stock as well!

The rain does appear to have stopped!

Tony

Morning all.

It seems rather wet here this morning. We seem to be about to have a late breakfast. There will be waffles.

Tony

I'm surprised I've made 30 sensible posts. I gave up being professional some time ago!

Hello.

It is a nice day here. I'm going to attempt to add the draughtproofing kit to the garage door this morning.

Tony

I think Albert must have visited as I've just gained another spot under the avatar image and stopped being registered!

I've only just found this thread. Really fantastic modelling.

Tony

"I've found the carpet in one small section"

 

That would be a carpet tile.

..or mice?

Going to the bank now always seems to involve some sort of interrogation about my finances. Even a small amount in the current account puts the cashier into advice mode about talking to some investment planner. I now thank them politely and tell them not to worry as I'll soon spend it.

Tony

Hello.

It is still foggy here, though it is clearing slightly now as I was able to see the dog as he patrolled the garden.

Tony

Perhaps his Mother-in-law was in the back seat.

I think silence from the back seat is far more scary.

...and I bet at least one wise guy said " You won't catch anything down there" or "What bait are you using?"

If it had been a weekend I'm certain someone would have! Perhaps I should have sent a "wish you were here" postcard to the neighbours on holiday. Actually they would have probably dealt with it if they were home and would have immediately offered help if it had been our drains so I'm glad I was able to do something!

Tony

Hello again.

I'm just having a quiet sit down after more midday exercise than I would like. Earlier today a neighbour asked if we were having any drain problems. As it turned out we were just about to. It would seem that the drains are shared between 3 houses and mine is the one where these drains join and go to the bigger drain. It was the middle house that had the big blockage (and they are on holiday) causing a spectacular overflow in the third house, but thanks to a loan of drain rodding we have cleared them now. It is a good job we all speak to each other down this road.

Tony

Good Morning.

It isn't cold here this morning. The trip to the edge of the front lawn to leave the bin bag was achieved successfully. I'' probably try to sort out my trains again today. The dining room was required over the weekend so I put everything away. I only have to provide one train as my contribution for the exhibition on Sunday so I don't really have any excuse if it doesn't work!

Tony

Lucky Lips, Cliff Richard and the Shadows