RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 As one of the fewer and fewer "working ERs", I'd best get on with it someone needs to pay taxes so the retirees have dosh to squander on enjoyment. Some of us retired persons pay tax too! Though now I am no longer a member of the landlord class (sold Mum's flat we had inherited last week) my income may drop below some threshold or other. When I made the "class" remark to Aditi she replied that at least having a gun dog enabled us to "keep up appearances". I'm fairly certain she was being humourous! Tony 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judge Dread Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 The magazines in my dentist's office are carved on bits of slate. You don't carve slate, you write on it with a piece of chalk. I was told that I would have used such a chalk board at my first school, St. George's Road. Hull. As I was born in Nov 1943, that event must have been around the beginning of 1949. The school still survives but I have yet to find a "Blue Plaque! on it anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 The check in booths at our local hospital work really well and the piece of paper then issued tells you where to wait before proceeding to "sub-waiting" and then the final clinic all seems very efficient. The check in screens have lots of languages available and there are always a couple of eager volunteers to help anyone who can't cope. Is choose and book a national scheme for first appointments? Are follow ups done through the hospitals own system? For my appointment (apparently non-urgent fortunately) the offered appointment and the one alternative are both during my holiday. Even phoning up doesn't allow excluded dates to be registered so what I have to do is keep looking online and see if a more suitable date appears and then select it. If no date has appeared just before I go on holiday, I need to cancel the appointment and a new letter offering an appointment will arrive at my house about a fortnight after the cancellation. I must congratulate the "system" though, the website didn't hang and the phone was answered promptly. Choose & book appears to be a national scheme Tony. It's centrally administered (or seems to be) from somewhere like Milton Keynes but the administering appears to be no more advanced than what can you can achieve for yourself - when I tried to book a neurology appointment it seems that all dates were unavailable, that sounded like a glitch so I thought right, 'phone them. But the 'central booking facility' was no further ahead than me - they couldn't get into the neurology appointments calendar either - so I kicked up a stink with the GP having first tried the rather bright idea of contacting the neurology dept direct, who told me to speak to my GP! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Recent issue. Phone rang 30 minutes ago....showing 003165 on the display....no one seemingly on the other end..For the next ten minutes both phones were paralysed & I couldn't do anything with either 1471 or 1571.When finally I managed to clear it 1471 blurts 'please hang up ' after bleating the above number. Curious and annoying.....any thoughts ? 003165 followed by another number is a dialling code for the Netherlands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 You don't carve slate, you write on it with a piece of chalk. I was told that I would have used such a chalk board at my first school, St. George's Road. Hull. As I was born in Nov 1943, that event must have been around the beginning of 1949. The school still survives but I have yet to find a "Blue Plaque! on it anywhere. I used a slate and chalk at infant school (Somerset 1957) for writing practice and arithmetic. My wife went to infant school in Yorkshire. She was given paper straightaway though. We were having this conversation last night as the starters at the pub restaurant were served on something that looked like school slates (probably some high tech synthetic product though). 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 ......she replied that at least having a gun dog enabled ..... What on earth is meant by "gun dog enabled"? Is it a software upgrade for Robbie, or a new set of "gun dog gnashers" for him? Are you facing an investment in a pair of green Hunter wellies, a shooting stick, a Barbour Waxed jacket and a brace of Purdey shotguns? We are curious. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium AndyB Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 Afternoon all, A sunny day here today and I've been reading through my notes for next weeks' cooking course over in Oxfordshire with M. Blanc's team. I think I learnt more from the prep notes than I had reading any number of recipe books. Should be fun, but hoping there isn't an exam at the end! School reports were out today and there may have to be a bit of pocket money going to my two for a good year of school work. One has some work to do to get himself up from "average" to "good" but I think this is more about motivation than ability. The other is doing really well and rather puts her sibling in the shade. I added a second road to my traverser last night and mention this just to provoke Debs into breaking cover! Quite satisfying to see a train move down leg of the approach road and head out of the other. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 What on earth is meant by "gun dog enabled"? Is it a software upgrade for Robbie, or a new set of "gun dog gnashers" for him? Are you facing an investment in a pair of green Hunter wellies, a shooting stick, a Barbour Waxed jacket and a brace of Purdey shotguns? We are curious. Good job you didn't mention 'a pair of Purdeys' or lots of ageing 'Avengers' fans could have finished up getting in a bit of a lather Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 What on earth is meant by "gun dog enabled"? Is it a software upgrade for Robbie, or a new set of "gun dog gnashers" for him? Are you facing an investment in a pair of green Hunter wellies, a shooting stick, a Barbour Waxed jacket and a brace of Purdey shotguns? We are curious. Perhaps I should have written "gun dog allowed us to maintain the pretence..." Not that we do have any such pretensions really. I do have a very tatty (therefore "correct") Barbour hanging up in the garage. I don't have any wellies but Aditi does have some flowery pattern Hunter garden clogs. My Land Rover is not the one approved of by the landowning classes but it is very muddy. Robbie's mummy and daddy were working gun dogs and most of his ancestors are Field Trial Champions 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 Afternoon All I too have used NHS Choose and Book with no problems - in fact I've got an appointment for my hip to be re-examined that I made using that system - oddly I have used it now three times, and have had the same password every time - perhaps it is personal to each individual patient? Managed to save a packet on the annual car robbery session (AKA MOT and Service) as I ditched the local main dealer, and found a small independent garage which did a short service and MOT for seventy quid! Car failed its MOT due to a corroded back box retaining bracket, which they fixed by welding a new one to the box which was totally sound. I suspect that the main dealer would have charged me about £300 for that work, as they charge a price for the service, also the highest MOT fee, and I am sure that they would not have done a weld, but would have just replaced a perfectly good box. It certainly pays to shop around. I also needed two front tyres, and managed to get a BOGOF from one of the big suppliers - BEWARE - it is only the tyres which are BOGOF, you get charged for two valves, two balances, and two "environmental disposal charges". Happy birthday, Jock, and I do hope that the Oncology results are favourable. Finally, many many thanks to those who have greeted my return to the fold. Regards to All Stewart 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 Afternoon All BEWARE - it is only the tyres which are BOGOF, you get charged for two valves, two balances, and two "environmental disposal charges". I would be ecstatic with a BOGOF like that even with the "beware". At least with the tyres on my car it does look as if one is getting value for money compared to the winter rated rubber band lookalikes we put on Aditi's Fiesta. And of course we had a mild damp winter this year.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock67B Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Afternoon all, Happy bunny after my oncology appointment as I now have a greater understanding of the situation after a long consultation. The scan showed that all the tumours are completely contained for the moment and the oncologist is arranging a meeting with the specialist surgeon as he feels that this could be a 'window of opportunity' to have an operation to remove the affected kidney! I hadn't realised that the chemo stops working or the side effects get too extreme within six months in most cases but I've managed fourteen months. He explained that the particular type of chemo can't possibly cure me or kill the tumours but that it stops them working and spreading. I would stay on the treatment after any operation but until I have the meeting with the surgeon, I can't make an informed decision whether to go ahead or not. I need to know likely survival rates and sit down to discussions on risk and the like with my family and my GP before making a final decision. It does however mean that you might have to put up with my rumblings for a while yet and there is no doubt that the support I have received on these pages has helped strengthen my resolve - I'm determined to go for a record survival period! I sincerely thank you all very much for that. Ian, it sounds as if you could gather enough material locally to write a book or a soap script. Once again, it seems that your cleaning lady only has you as support - she leads a complicated life! Hope you aren't overworking Sherry (note that I'm avoiding innuendo unlike some!) but that you have both found true happiness. I don't know if my illness has drawn us closer but Joanna and I have reached a stage where we commonly say the same thing at the same moment - it would appear that we are well suited and above all happy together which is truly lucky as it is our second attempt! Flavio, has a decision yet been forthcoming on the subject of massive hounds? We had paper at school in Scotland but woe betide the pupil whose letters strayed over the edges of the slightly angled boxes - it was then the historic device known as a tawse was liable to appear! Hope all who have complained of pain lately are getting their treatment sorted as it really is the key to coping with all the awful debilitating problems that have appeared here in recent days. Hard to believe that we'll be saying TGIF again tomorrow - tempus fugit indeed! Kind regards, Jock. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 75C Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) It does however mean that you might have to put up with my rumblings for a while yet... GREAT news Jock! Now relax and have a drink mate. Edited July 10, 2014 by Pete 75C Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) I would be ecstatic with a BOGOF like that even with the "beware". At least with the tyres on my car it does look as if one is getting value for money compared to the winter rated rubber band lookalikes we put on Aditi's Fiesta. And of course we had a mild damp winter this year.... I think that NTS offer this on a range of sizes - but only in a limited range of makes (I was offered Barum or Avon) and my Fiesta takes a 165R70/14. Two Avons fully fitted and balanced came to £96 so I really can't argue. I thought Avon as a long established UK/US maker, but in small print on the sidewall are the magic words "made in Serbia using European technology". I guess that means that some of the machines in the factory came from factories further West which were closed. BTW just a couple of more updates - firstly Lily is still being a four legged mischief, and she has currently got an obsession with chasing birds from "her" garden - usually with the most vociferous barking. This is a bit of a problem as we have had a large number of Blackbirds and Thrushes nesting in our hedgerows, and she has been known to try to catch the babies when they are learning to fly. On a model railway topic (ish), my regular postman noted the delivery of a number of railway related matters to me, and told me of a neighbour who has "some trains in his garage". For "trains in the garage", read an exhibition standard layout, and a large collection of scratch built and kit bashed locos including quite a few that are not available RTR. I have now visited him a few times, and his work is very impressive indeed. Oddly, he didn't know of this resource, and I have pointed him in our direction. That makes three modelling enthusiasts within a couple of hundred yards, with Ohmisterporter of this parish in the same street, and this guy about 100 yards away in the next road. Now this is a small estate (probably under 90 houses) and there's three modellers or armchair modellers on that one estate. Regards again Stewart ps - sounds like good news there from Jock 67B. Edited July 10, 2014 by 45156 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lurker Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Jock I'm sure we'd all be happy to put up with your rumblings if it means you beat all known survival records. But do please note that some of us can read innuendo into anything; "overworking" Sherry indeed! It's funny that people remember paper not being always readily available at school - was that partially caused by wartime shortages and a reversion to older methods? These days, half the schools seem to avoid using paper for another reason - technology! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 75C Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 It's funny that people remember paper not being always readily available at school - was that partially caused by wartime shortages and a reversion to older methods? These days, half the schools seem to avoid using paper for another reason - technology! There was a paper shortage for a while at my school in the late 70s but that was only because Perkins set fire to the stationery cupboard. Having returned to school after his expulsion, he was careful only to sneak a quick smoke behind the cricket pavilion. It's a wonder he never burnt that down... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 Just tuned in to this.Interesting......I have used the system twice in the last six months and it has worked....but....on the first occasion I saw a neurosurgeon at a private clinic in Nottingham which did contracted out work for the NHS....very quickly indeed.....then received a mail shot for a Stannah stairlift in short order.I maintain a large garden and the house is accessed by a flight of steps ! Recent issue. Phone rang 30 minutes ago....showing 003165 on the display....no one seemingly on the other end..For the next ten minutes both phones were paralysed & I couldn't do anything with either 1471 or 1571.When finally I managed to clear it 1471 blurts 'please hang up ' after bleating the above number. Curious and annoying.....any thoughts ? Mystery solved.....my son,ringing from his office ! Spare my blushes... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 There was a paper shortage for a while at my school in the late 70s but that was only because Perkins set fire to the stationery cupboard. Having returned to school after his expulsion, he was careful only to sneak a quick smoke behind the cricket pavilion. It's a wonder he never burnt that down... ........ and Perkins was the headmaster. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 10, 2014 Perhaps I should have written "gun dog allowed us to maintain the pretence..." Not that we do have any such pretensions really. I do have a very tatty (therefore "correct") Barbour hanging up in the garage. I don't have any wellies but Aditi does have some flowery pattern Hunter garden clogs. My Land Rover is not the one approved of by the landowning classes but it is very muddy. Robbie's mummy and daddy were working gun dogs and most of his ancestors are Field Trial Champions Can we assume that Robbie is the ne'er do well of the family? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 75C Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) There was a paper shortage for a while at my school in the late 70s but that was only because Perkins set fire to the stationery cupboard. Having returned to school after his expulsion, he was careful only to sneak a quick smoke behind the cricket pavilion. It's a wonder he never burnt that down... ........ and Perkins was the headmaster. Unfortunately not. The headmaster during my tenure was murdered shortly after retirement by his gay lover, but THAT'S another story... Edit: Smiffy, is that actually true or just local folklore? Harrison was his name... do you know? Edited July 10, 2014 by Pete 75C Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy2 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Yes. I was on the governors at the time, so there's stuff I heard that probably isn't public domain, so I'll say no more than to confirm that the head, a very nice man and a good teacher, had a secret life which led to his murder. If you'd heard what was said you'd have understood why he kept his sexuality secret. Some of it wasn't kind. I guess he grew up in different days, and there was a lot of prejudice against gay teachers back then. And wasn't the smoker Finch? BTW - kids didn't use chalk on slates, they used thick pencils, which could be wiped clean with a cloth. It was economics all the way! You can still buy the slates in thin wooden frames (I got some from Beamish Industrial Museum), and the modern versions are A4 whiteboards on which kids do their arithmetic with dry markers. Same idea... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 75C Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Thanks. For years I was unsure of the credibility of the stories I'd heard. You're right - a good man. Finch/Perkins... I can't remember! I think I'm getting old... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Williams Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 You don't carve slate, you write on it with a piece of chalk. I was told that I would have used such a chalk board at my first school, St. George's Road. Hull. As I was born in Nov 1943, that event must have been around the beginning of 1949. The school still survives but I have yet to find a "Blue Plaque! on it anywhere. I was using slate and chalk at Infants school in the mid 50s. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenceb Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Evening all, A very short post tonight as incredibly, I have reached 67 years of age this very day! This time last year, I had no idea whether that would be possible and so when asked 'what do you most want for your birthday?' I've replied 'another one'! The fingers are a bit like thumbs thanks possibly due to the several empties of 'Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top' bottles standing in the kitchen - the family know my palate and that is my favourite bubbly of the moment! I also received a couple of bottles of good Rioja and a lovely old Chateauneuf du Pape, so that lot should keep me going till the weekend! Oncology appointment tomorrow so I hope to have an update on scan results etc. then. Sleep well, Kind regards, Jock. Happy Birthday Jock Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) Evening again! Near Northwich in Chesire now, very nice campsite. I hestiate to say it.....adults only. That means no kids, not the other type...... No trains today, but visited Jodrell Donk, sorry Bank. Donk loved it, but his humans thought it a little disappointing from an adult interpretation point of view. Plenty kids stuff (are kids really interested in a radio telescope ?? They all looked bored...) but we expected some thought provoking adult stuff, but no. The Brian Cox/Dara O'Brien programme on telly was heaps better. The sight of the telescope itself though, was superb, it is truely huge. The side gimbals were made from the gun turret rings from de-comissioned battleships - someone was thinking outside the box there. The train wheels are long gone too, the bogies are obviously quite new. As for photos Jock, anything to support you! They will have to wait until our return home though, as the photo resizer on this lappy is cumbersome and I haven't got the patience. Quite why the gadget one on the home PC won't run on this beats me, both Win 7. Did I mention I hate computers? Retirement is quite suiting me too, unfortunately in another three weeks I have to start work again! No more young offenders though! Edited July 10, 2014 by New Haven Neil 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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