The Night Mail

[newbryford]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

 Cable crimpers really vary in price a lot. I suspect the £9.99 one I bought won’t last as long as the versions 5 or 10 times as much but I won’t be using in “the field”. 
Tony

 

That is often the case. But I do have some cheaper tools that are lasting quite well - with infrequent to moderate use.

 

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

Having read exhortations to buy the best crimper, I still bought a Maplin plastic thingie. 25 years later it performs just as well on 6-pole plugs as it did then. 

 

But how many times have you actually used it?

 

 

[DaveF]

2 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

As a friend of mine is fond of saying, “If I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself.”

 

Dave

 

Almost 50 years ago a younger man (and I was only 25) managed to drive into the driver's side of my Saab96 at around 50mph.    The police attended and decided that as I was coming out of a blind turning on a country lane that it was his fault for driving too fast.  The car was a right off, at the time I thought I was unscathed.  About 40 years later I noticed a bit of pain in my neck and shoulder so I went to my GP.  He said it was almost certainly due to the accident, he could hear the noises of the bones in my neck as I turned it.

 

Now I get intermittent pain in the shoulder which can spread into the front and back of my chest.  When walking it can be almost too painful to breathe on a bad day.  Fortunately with care it rarely hurts that much unless I do something which I probably shouldn't at 73 - like lifting heavy things or sleeping using only one pillow.

 

David

Edited January 31, 2023 by DaveF

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Yesterday, Morgan came over in his professional capacity and demolished an Ash tree and a Silver Birch in our back garden.  He and his team then carried out a pollarding exercise on a Crack willow tree that sits on the edge of Muddy Hollow (Forward).  They are back again this morning to carry out a crown reduction on a multi stemmed Alder which sits close to the boundary of our property and the road.

 

I am not a fan of the serial felling of trees, but in each case there was a good reason.

 

The Willow (Crack variety) needs pollarding on a regular basis as the epicormic growth it generates (the long whip like branches used for basket weaving) if left, will break off and potentially fall into the road. The Alder being multi stemmed also has inherent weaknesses in the  multi stems, so needs the top reduced in height and  overall area.  

 

Both these trees are subject to a TPO so any work requires a planning application and council approval.  Since the company that Morgan works for is an approved contractor with the council, it is much easier for them to approach the council for permission as they are working with the relevant department on a regular basis.  I have put in various applications over the years, and have found the process more and more awkward each time I apply.  So take the easy way out!

 

In these two cases the work is being carried out on safety grounds, but is proactive in that it is being actioned prior to the growth getting to the point where it poses a risk. In the case of the Alder, the last request for a crown reduction on the TPO was back in 2008.

 

The Ash tree had self seeded into the boundary hedge and due to the nature of the ground in the garden(compacted clay) had decided to surface root, so the roots were spreading out sideway and were causing issues in our lawn and to a lesser extent, in next doors lane.  It had also got to a height where it was blocking light.  After it had come down, our next door neighbour (RHS) came around to thank us as he had no idea how much light the tree had been blocking from his kitchen and sitting room.

 

The Silver Birch was overhanging next doors garden and again had got to a height where we felt it was getting to the point where it would get unstable (due to the fact that the builder of the property planted it on a tump of dumped soil) and was posing some risk to falling into our neighbour (LHS) garden should it ever decide to collapse.  Since it was opposite the Ash tree it was also stealing light.

 

This morning there was a significant difference in the light levels coming into our rear facing rooms, and you have to bear in mind that both the trees were bereft of any foliage.

 

Next on the list is the Oak tree which belongs to the neighbour whose property backs onto ours.  This tree does belong to them so is their responsibility.  Unfortunately, although they are very 'protective' of their tree, they have done absolutely nothing to protect it and keep it in good health over the years. So much so, that when it was looked at with a view to a crown reduction,  it was recommended that before any work was carried out, that a certified forester ought to make a survey of the tree and then recommend a suitable course of action. Our neighbours are awaiting the Forester's report before any work can be progressed. So that is a tale for another day.

 

What this does illustrate is that whatever you own, be it a tree, a model railway, a motor car, or even yourself, regular maintenance to keep the item in tip top condition is essential.

 

Of course, all this felling will be followed by quite a bit of replanting as Nyda has a number of  small trees that are currently living in pots awaiting their turn in the ongoing garden restructuring. An Apricot and a Cherry tree standing out from my fleet of various Japanese Maple (Acer)

 

I am now off to bask in the newly admitted light in the dining room😂

 

 

 

 

 

Given my background Big H is that I wish more people took your attitude to their tree Scape.

 

So often I would take a call from a resident wanting trees cut down because it was interfering with their television signal. Worst yet we're the ones who didn't want the leaves falling in there garden but moaned that people could see into it.

 

The lack of trust also meant that if work was done in a park it was my fault that the tree was being 'massacred'. Trying to explain that if we didn't do the work then it might fall on someone didn't seem to occur to them.

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

Thanks Andy. However, we have now decided to get a new TV anyway and put the old one in the workshop but I shall certainly look into getting one of those devices for it.

 

Dave

 

Just be aware that in addition to the manufacturer's guarantee the seller has a duty of care to ensure that the product is fit for purpose. So often the seller will try and fob you off onto the manufacturer if you have a problem when it is in fact them who should be resolving it. I think Which did an article on this and quoted the time frames that the 'duty' lasted for. Basic the more complicated the item the longer the duty. The other sneaky thing is to watch out for being sold insurance for additional warranty. This is what the seller makes the big bucks on.

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

 

However, our cousins across the Atlantic in New Orleans have the perfect solution to the “oyster-hesitant”: Oyster Po’ Boys! Fresh oysters are breaded or battered then deep fried and served in a fresh roll with accompaniments like remoulade sauce or coleslaw.

 

Ah, cooked oysters are a different matter and are quite acceptable, it’s the raw ones I can’t stand.

 

Dave

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

The chap we’re buying from told us that LG only give a 12 month guarantee except for the more expensive models and/or when they have a special offer on.

 

Dave

 

JL have a habit of giving freebie extra warranty on many leccy items - even cheaper models such as this:

https://www.johnlewis.com/lg-43uq91006la-2022-led-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-tv-43-inch-with-freeview-hd-freesat-hd-ashed-blue/p6134116?s_ppc=2dx92700070984466761_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1-C15fPx_AIVSrDtCh1RsAzZEAQYBSABEgKj8fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I was aware of head butting a door as I fell but at the time I was more concerned about damaging the door. 

 

 

Bear did that in 1991, only with the back of the Beary Bonce as I fell backwards.  One hole in the inner door skin and a busted spine.  I think the door got the better deal.

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

However, our cousins across the Atlantic in New Orleans have the perfect solution to the “oyster-hesitant”: Oyster Po’ Boys! Fresh oysters are breaded or battered then deep fried and served in a fresh roll with accompaniments like remoulade sauce or coleslaw.

 

Certainly beats Turkey twizzlers and oven fries…

 

Deep Fried Snot🤮

I'll take the chips......

[Winslow Boy]

5 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

Ah, cooked oysters are a different matter and are quite acceptable, it’s the raw ones I can’t stand.

 

Dave

 

Oyster twizzlers anyone?

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, DaveF said:

About 40 years later I noticed a bit of pain in my neck and shoulder so I went to my GP.  He said it was almost certainly due to the accident......Now I get intermittent pain in the shoulder......

 

A few years ago I was referred to a surgeon because of pain in my shoulder and upper arm. Turned out it was the result of a rugby injury I had sustained in 1973! I had to have surgery to fix it.

 

Dave 

[Winslow Boy]

1 minute ago, polybear said:

 

JL have a habit of giving freebie extra warranty on many leccy items - even cheaper models such as this:

https://www.johnlewis.com/lg-43uq91006la-2022-led-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-tv-43-inch-with-freeview-hd-freesat-hd-ashed-blue/p6134116?s_ppc=2dx92700070984466761_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1-C15fPx_AIVSrDtCh1RsAzZEAQYBSABEgKj8fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

 

Bear did that in 1991, only with the back of the Beary Bonce as I fell backwards.  One hole in the inner door skin and a busted spine.  I think the door got the better deal.

 

 

Deep Fried Snot🤮

I'll take the chips......

 

I don't really think that's going to go down well in the freezer isle do you. Having said it does have a certain ring to it and you never can tell especially given the level of culinary expertise in this septic isle.

[Dave Hunt]

3 minutes ago, polybear said:

JL have a habit of giving freebie extra warranty on many leccy items.....

 

Agreed but given a choice I’d much rather go to a local business and get something knowing that I can always go and talk to someone face to face rather than via a web site chat line or waiting an hour for someone to answer the phone, if you’re lucky.

 

Dave

[Tony_S]

4 minutes ago, polybear said:

I'll take the chips.....

I probably would too. I like chips, in fact I like a lot of potato products. Before potatoes were introduced to this country people used to eat skirrets. I did think about planting some to see what they were like but it seemed a bit of a bother, compared to either peeling potatoes or opening a pack of oven chips. I don’t think I have ever had raw oysters. I have had raw fish. I have had cooked lobster, shrimp and crab but I would prefer not to.  Apparently one of the specialties of the hotel we will be going to is something snail based . I shall decline politely and invent a pet snail at home, called Gary (like,SpongeBobs friend). 
Tony

[DenysW]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

it may help to think of oysters as whelks or winkles

Well, no. These are also 'foods' that are an insult to both the intelligence and the tastebuds.

 

Oysters are like many utterly tasteless local treats (porridge, grits, and so on.) in that if you add enough butter/salt/pepper/garlic/vinegar/etc. to them, they taste wonderfully buttery/salty/peppery/garlicky/vinegary/etc.-y.

 

Take a pass, recover the rest of your life.

[jjb1970]

At least abalone season is over where I am, it seems to be an obsession to eat abalone at Chinese New Year. The funny thing is so far everyone I know here (and all of my colleagues and friends are Singaporean, not foreign expatriates) has said they hate abalone but are expected to look like they enjoy it at CNY. There's a pass the parcel game, it's a very common CNY gift (it costs an arm and a leg), people immediately pass it on to someone else and hope they're not the ones left standing at the end of the chain.

[AndyID]

5 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

Thanks Andy. However, we have now decided to get a new TV anyway and put the old one in the workshop but I shall certainly look into getting one of those devices for it.

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking. The video quality won't be quite as good with the older interface but probably good enough for a second telly.

 

It's highly unlikely your new TV does not have at least one HDMI port but make sure it does. We have a TV with built-in streaming that we've had for some time and the streaming started acting up on one channel (probably due to some minor change in the protocol). The simplest solution was to forget the built-in streamer and plug in an external streamer.

 

A

[New Haven Neil]

4 hours ago, Tony_S said:

What seemed minor injuries (falling off motorbikes) years ago seem to appear again as I age

 

Ain't that the truth - although mine are mostly other causes than motorbikes, I usually manage/d to stay onboard mine, or at least not damage too much when I did fall off.

 

Off to the hospickle again on Friday to have fluoro-scope guided injection into one of them in the hope this guess is the right one as to what is causing the new-ish pain.  Suspect it will be both painful and fruitless, been there before with this.  I'll be glowing with x rays when I emerge.  I think long term they are just trying to put off replacement as funds are low.  I had surgery on this hip 12 years ago for an issue which previous identical injections failed to cure (they found out why when they opened it up - 'badly mascerated' was the description of the cartilage!), which has lasted well, but perhaps the time is coming.....pah.

 

Friend Harry worked further wonders with the old steam PC, it is now as good as it is going to get prior to its replacement when funds allow.  This laptop is several generations newer, and it shows!

[Tony_S]

5 hours ago, Oldddudders said:

Having read exhortations to buy the best crimper, I still bought a Maplin plastic thingie. 25 years later it performs just as well on 6-pole plugs as it did then. 

This is the metal thingie I got

It was the cheapest one with a ratchet handle which seems to be desirable. 
I suspect the very expensive ones come with a certificate.  When my brother used to do telecommunications work on some organisations installations they were very fussy about what was attached to their systems. 

[BoD]

53 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

This is the metal thingie I got

 

It came free with Gardeners world?

[Tony_S]

14 minutes ago, BoD said:

 

It came free with Gardeners world?

No, I may possibly have got in trouble if I had placed the crimper directly on the coffee table. It was slightly nearer than the current issue of 009 News. 

[TheQ]

Another one with ancient injuries that have returned.

Big right toe , sailing, 2008 ish.

Right ankle swelled up for an unknown reason in about 1982, 

Knees knackered  playing volleyball 1983-88

Left elbow knackered sailing 1998 

Back knackered playing baseball 1982

Neck knackered in a car crash 1978

 

The particular pain at this moment is the right ankle.

 

Crimpers I have a variety about 8 pairs, from the cheap thin pairs, to the better ratchet type. To a 16 ton crimp set that will do car battery connectors and sailing boat side stays. Several are specialised types. For ferrules and specific pin types.

 

 

 

[Oldddudders]

4 hours ago, newbryford said:

But how many times have you actually used it?

Dozens of times on two layouts. The present layout has eight plug-in points for throttles, although they see less use since the DT602Ds arrived. 

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, Oldddudders said:

DT602Ds arrived. 

Is that wireless equipped? Does it “talk” directly to the command station or do you need a PC as well?

[Dave Hunt]

3 hours ago, AndyID said:

It's highly unlikely your new TV does not have at least one HDMI port but make sure it does

 

Thanks for the tip Andy; I’ve checked and there are several of them.

 

Dave

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

Another one with ancient injuries that have returned.

Big right toe , sailing, 2008 ish.

Right ankle swelled up for an unknown reason in about 1982, 

Knees knackered  playing volleyball 1983-88

Left elbow knackered sailing 1998 

Back knackered playing baseball 1982

Neck knackered in a car crash 1978

 

The particular pain at this moment is the right ankle.

 

And I thought I had a lot of bits that don’t work the way they used to (stop sniggering HH).

 

The first time I saw one of the consultants who dealt with several of my lower skeleton problems he asked for my life history - profession, sports etc. - and when I finished telling him about flying, rugby, American football, squash etc. he asked if I used to go jogging as well to keep fit. When I replied that yes, I had done for quite a number of years he said, “Ah, you may like to know that we have a medical term for what has happened to your lower skeleton and joints.” “O,” said I, “what’s that?” He smiled and said,”You’ve bu**ered it.”

 

Dave

[Northmoor]

7 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Oh dearie me, we do have some gastronomic wusses amongst us.

 

Not liking oysters? They are the very essence and epitome of man versus sea (and enjoyed since antiquity - the Romans highly prized Colchester oysters). Perhaps it may help to think of oysters as whelks or winkels without the curly shell.

 

Being a reasonably minded Gastronaut, I can concede that raw oysters may not be to everyone’s taste (especially if you’ve grown up on a diet of meat and two [overcooked] veg). Although it is sad to observe that the gastronomically timid are passing up on such delights.

 

However, our cousins across the Atlantic in New Orleans have the perfect solution to the “oyster-hesitant”: Oyster Po’ Boys! Fresh oysters are breaded or battered then deep fried and served in a fresh roll with accompaniments like remoulade sauce or coleslaw.

 

Certainly beats Turkey twizzlers and oven fries…

An Oyster Po' Boy I could be tempted by.  Oysters in any other form are a stupid thing for human consumption.  They are simple organisms that filter all the sh1t out of seawater, then people wonder why they get spectacular (and sometimes life-threatening) food poisoning from them.

[New Haven Neil]

Tidying up computers and discs is ongoing - found this fave shot from many moons ago on my garden railway.