gordon s

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Fine wire mesh will be the favourite, although it will have to be hinged/removable to allow me to service the pumps. I'm hoping it was just a one off....really hoping, believe me. Looks like another couch potato day is on the cards... Had a few splutters with the new Mac. Not enough to put me off, but just a few niggles I wasn't expecting. The screen size changed overnight and the font changed on certain web pages, plus a single line wave when scrolling through web pages mysteriously appeared about 4" from the bottom of the screen. Apple support sorted it by various forced reboots. Switch off and then switch on and immediately hold down cmd/alt/p/r at the same time. Try doing that with just two hands.... It also seems Apple have blocked Adobe Flash Player with Safari as when you try to update you get 'blocked plug in' message. Had to get round it by removing Flash Player and then installing the latest version as a new install. Irritating and not the end of the world, but not the PC Nirvana I dreamed of. Mind you, my Windows PC still crashes out far more often, so mustn't grumble....

Handle it? You 'avin a larf! The stick would need to be 20' long for me.... Impossible to say. It was very dead. Just a black, stiff body. At first I thought it was just a skin but then realised it was more than that. Seems it's mate has moved on this morning, but there was no doubt the open fronted, roofed enclosure plus the heat from the pump, was a very comfy place to call home. I'll have to rethink the box. The pump has to be sheltered from the elements, but then has to be open to shift 80 litres of air per minute...Mmmmn?

Morning all....Bit of a day yesterday. Found a dead snake in my pond filter area, which was bad enough. It was the live one neatly coiled on top of the air pump that really gave me the creeps. Quite clearly the heat and shelter from the air pump made a very comfy home. Mrs S thought it was a hoot and there were loads of aahs and of course it has to stay there as she is potty about wildlife. Unable to tell at this stage if it's harmless or an adder as it's slightly hidden from view. Either way, it made my blood run cold. I know, I'm a wus.......

Ah, that's the problem, mine only have two.....and they're both left.

Morning all...Another couch potato day. Jeez, I'll certainly have withdrawal symptoms once these fantastic Games are over. Good old GB, out on penalties once again. At least it wasn't Germany.... A few spots of rain seem to be finding their way to earth and the forecast is not that great today, so umbrellas could be the order of the day for those venturing out. I share your concern for dear old Don, although I keep telling myself that's the one drawback of internet relationships. The technology goes down and it's hard to make contact, but I'm sure he'll be spinning a few yarns again soon.

Having a pond in our back garden means we are a constant target for herons. Thankfully we are pretty bulletproof in protecting the fish, but that doesn't stop them trying. This one was on top of our neighbours roof for around 20 minutes this morning trying to work out how he could get his breakfast.... Eventually he won the 'staring out' game, so I opened the window and off he went. Just a shame he went away from the camera.... No doubt he or one of his mates will be back for another try...

Mine's 39, so you've a few years yet......

Ah! Reminds me of one or two family pics...... Got a bit restless watching TV, so here's one for Mike. The lettering is not pin sharp as 60860 has a slight wobble on the rolling road....

Talking about meetings reminded me of a classic mistake I made as a young man. I had to fly out with a colleague for a meeting in Switzerland. I made the arrangements with the Swiss guy and asked what time he wanted the meeting to start. 'Between 10 and 12' was the answer I heard, so off we went to Zurich the day before. Had a late night sampling the Swiss night life and as we had a hire car and had not been to Switzerland before, decided to get there after 11 and do a bit of sightseeing. Arrived about 11.15 to meet an angry client plus numerous others who had been waiting since 10 for a meeting from 10-12. Not the best way to secure a large contract..... I won't bore you with the details, but when do kids stop giving you problems... Even murderer's get parole after 20 years...

Lovely loco Mike and some pretty impressive woodwork....

...and now they have been disqualified....:-(

Late on parade but got a note from my Mum. Been glued to the Olympics all day with loads of medals going to GB. I've become a real couch potato....

Went Karting last night at Sandown Park, but a combination of an aged body and too many kilo's highlighted I'm past it... Tiddlywinks anyone? Slight drizzle dine sowf.....

Just a small update for all those who may have thought ET has gone to the scrapyard in the sky (Bracknell amenity centre).... The last few months have been totally taken over by my daughter's wedding. What I thought would be a 'turn up on the day' situation turned into a huge project that took all my spare time and drained my brain of any creative thinking. Work stopped completely and as yet there are no signs of the build recommencing. However, the newly weds will return on Wednesday and once they are packed off to London, life may return to some semblance of reality and work will start again. My thoughts go out to all of you with a daughter. My complete admiration goes to those of you with more than one....

Hi Trev, I've posted the Madder Valley pics here.... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55044-rmweb-private-viewing-and-guided-tour-of-pendon-museum/page__st__125

Enjoyed your pics DD. That's an interesting way of showing them... Here's a second pic of the Railcar. It might show a few more details as it is shot from a slightly different angle...

Reporting for duty....Sirrrrrrrr! Sun is up and a promising day in store. Missed the Olympics yesterday with Pendon/Didcot visit, so it's a feet up day with F1 squeezed in between the cycling and other events.

... Here's an interesting conversion. Seems there's quite a few in this particular area. Very well done... http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/16979435?utm_source=nest&utm_medium=feeds

Back home in the ###### of my good friends....Wedding is well and truly over. Newly weds are sunning themselves in Asia and Mrs S and I plus a few family members survived a few days break down on the south coast. Weather was spectacular and cottage idyllic. Here's a few pics from a good old English seaside town, before I hit Pendon, pub and Didcot tomorrow... Didn't buy any rock, but was tempted.. This little toy reminded me of you, Pete... My best Toulouse Lautrec impression with the boys.. Had a great lunch in a typical fish and chip shop. Food was great, the view less so...

Happy hols to you both! There's a strange dampness in the air down here after several scorchers...

Yet another hot, sunny one. Staggered to see a queue of 7-8 miles yesterday of trippers heading towards West Wittering beach. Nice little earner at £7.50 per car....

Just taken BiL and SiL to Gatwick to get their flights back to Spain. It was 16 degrees in the car but thought we were in Malaga when we got out. 31 degrees at the airport! Back home now and a cool beer is going down a treat!

I shall probably need Mike to explain the attraction of these green and copper lumps....but no doubt will enjoy the day.... B)

Saddened to read of your problems in London, BoD. You did well as these girls are often set up as a distraction whilst others rifle through your bags. Put it all behind you and enjoy your trip..... Another scorcher down south, so beanie hat will be the order of the day. Even the dog has sun block on his nose.... Pendon and Didcot Saturday, so a good weekend in store.

Morning all.... All the signs point to a scorcher, so fingers crossed. Another day of this and we'll be moaning about the heat. Felt for Adam Scott yesterday in the golf. Always tough to see someone implode and snatch defeat.... Have a good day one and all...