Smiffy2 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 For someone who actually quite likes technological innovations I do prefer to choose the human tills. At the Tesco Express near here the manager did offer to show me how to use it ( I was standing in a short queue and probably looking a bit vacant). I explained I could use one but found his staff's conversation more life enhancing than problems in the bagging area. I was kindly in my tone and attitude as he was trying to be helpful. The prepay ticket machines at our cinema seem to identify my purchase from the card used or a code however the collect your ticket machines at the railway station seem very temperamental. Last time the first machine just locked up, the second one made lots of noises and informed me it had a printer error. The nice man at the ticket office sorted me out. I like the toll booths on the Channel Tunnel. I rock up, the numberplate recognition clocks me and gives me a cheery greeting by name. I wish the passport control was as slick... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2015 oops, nearly forget - happy birthday to Sidecar Racer Mike. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) My late father told me of the perils of shooting a chicken with a Sten gun set on "Full Automatic". Dad had short fingers and couldn't hold larger sidearms so he said his favoured device was a Sten. However the failed bunny acquisition was by someone armed with some sort of rifle that obviously imparted too much kinetic energy. Having been brought up in the country Dad trapped some rabbits but he was surprised how many refused to eat them. Edited March 31, 2015 by Tony_S 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2015 I like the toll booths on the Channel Tunnel. I rock up, the numberplate recognition clocks me and gives me a cheery greeting by name. I wish the passport control was as slick...I like the automatic number plate readers too!My brother has a car registration that is perfectly legal and absolutely correctly made but seems to cause confusion at many automatic readers. No human who knows their alphabet and numbers could misread it. Tony 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NGT6 1315 Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 Still very blustery out here. Traffic disruptions reported from several states. Local and regional rail services have been suspended in Westphalia, and I understand so have been long distance services in most of Bavaria. The Bayerische Oberlandbahn lines out of Munich have been suppressed, too. I could spot torn-off branches (some of them big) while outdoors, and wheelie bins dancing in the streets, it seemed. Especially nice when their contents had been scattered everywhere... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDolfelin Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I remember the Sten Gun very well. a) Because it had a tendency to jam ii) Because recruits had a tendency to spray bystanders (including one very serious incident) c) Because, I was told, it was very cheap to make - something I fully believed. ---------------------------- I've just switched on TV to get the News and saw Eric Clapton launch into 'Bad Love'. He made a six string guitar talk and the song didn't need words. It finished with him playing on the last two frets before the sound box. Brilliant. Edited March 31, 2015 by DDolfelin 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lurker Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Self-service - we've all got used to petrol stations these days haven't we? I was quite taken aback driving in Italy a few years ago and someone coming to serve me. (nearly typed coming out to serve me" but that would have been a very different type of service station). I find that our local Morrisons, which was the first to instal self serve locally has machines that break down continually. On the other hand, the newer Waitrose has machines that work very well, albeit they don't take cash. Most people seem to distrust them so the queue is very short or non-existent. And the cards that allow you to pay for small purchases by tapping mean that I am glad I've broken my own resolve not to pay for small purchases only with cash. Of course you need to be smart - no point in buying booze, medicine or bleach at self service as you will need assistance. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewC Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Shooting down poor defenceless drones? Naaaa. I'm going to capture them, then flog the cargo to fund my evil base of operations and reprogram the drones to do my bidding. No chance this time Mr Bond. <insert evil cheesy laughter here> I shall rule the world. Note to self: cut back on the prescription pain killers. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewC Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Self-service - we've all got used to petrol stations these days haven't we? I was quite taken aback driving in Italy a few years ago and someone coming to serve me. (nearly typed coming out to serve me" but that would have been a very different type of service station). I find that our local Morrisons, which was the first to instal self serve locally has machines that break down continually. On the other hand, the newer Waitrose has machines that work very well, albeit they don't take cash. Most people seem to distrust them so the queue is very short or non-existent. And the cards that allow you to pay for small purchases by tapping mean that I am glad I've broken my own resolve not to pay for small purchases only with cash. Of course you need to be smart - no point in buying booze, medicine or bleach at self service as you will need assistance. My offspring's biggest peeve are people that don't read the fecking signs at his Waitrose and go through the whole self serve thing and then get p1ssy when they can't pay with cash. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judge Dread Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I remember the Sten Gun very well. a) Because it had a tendency to jam ii) Because recruits had a tendency to spray bystanders (including one very serious incident) c) Because, I was told, it was very cheap to make - something I fully believed. The strange thing is that I came to study one myself. I was sent to install an extract fan in a toilet in the Queen's Garden police station here in Hull. The outlet could only go through the wall into and out of the room next door. This room was a part of the armoury and because of that I had an escort at all times. There on a shelf was a Sten, complete with a magazine. I asked if it was a good idea to have the two together and was told, "Oh it's OK, the magazine is empty ". I pointed out that if someone was able to remove that pairing and point it at someone else, they would not know it was empty! The magazine was removed and taken away very swiftly ! I understand that a wrongly handed Sten would take finger ends off! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenceb Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Hope all goes well with the op Ian Birthday greetings to S R Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I remember the Sten Gun very well. a) Because it had a tendency to jam ii) Because recruits had a tendency to spray bystanders (including one very serious incident) c) Because, I was told, it was very cheap to make - something I fully believed. I don't remember the sten but the SMG had all the same problems Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 Too windy to sleep - outside that is, it's blowing a hoolie, ferries are off, the UK is cut off from civilisation. Don't worry Smiffy, I'm not getting involved with the politics of my old team's managers - just supporting friends in it in their time of need. I have no intention of so much as speaking to the steering group members. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenceb Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The Sten was the prototype for a generation of smg,s on both sides of the fence Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'll get back to review the pages that I've jumped, but when I got to the post about Ian posting on Facebook, I went into that site to have a look, and saw a message that I'd missed from a fellow musician to tell me that my old friend and musical associate, Pete Fyfe had passed away after a long and losing battle with bowel cancer. So folk music has lost two worthies in the last day or two, and both will be sorely missed. Pete was a superb muti-instrumentalist whose talent was, sadly, not as widely recognised as it should have been. On a more cheerful note, 30747 came in with a glass and metal inkwell that she bought in a local charity shop for about three quid. A good clean revealed the name Montblanc inscrined into the brass collar, and the lead crystal body cleaned up well. A search on Google brought up a few identical items for sale at between £150 and £200. And there was I thinking I could turn a fiver profit on it at the car boot - for some reason that suggestion was vetoed. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) the catheter is now playing silly Bs. A visit to the hospital - it's only just over 25 miles, after all - in the early evening didn't make much difference, and I was assured things are "normal". So why so different from the first 13 hours then? Anyway, it's only a couple of days to the op, so I'll probably survive. Ian - I had the same experience - the catheter went in, and there was an incredible feeing of relief, but after a day or so (I was bed-bound) it started to feel really queer and uncomfortable, and the charge nurse said that this was normal, and as I had retention, I needed to live with the feelings for a while until things got working again. Hope all goes well, and keep us posted. I'm now fully caught up, and round here, there's lots of local farmers who are likely to mistake a drone for a bird of prey of some sort, so I think that I'll have to close my Amazon account. <rant mode on Tomorrow I go to the hospital and need to be there for 11.00, so will be leaving home on the bus around 9.45 to allow me time to get up there via the shops to see if there's any more Montblanc inkwells on sale at silly money. Indecentsit are also arranging delivery of the new washer. I stressed to the custome lack of service person who was managing this complaint for the Chief Executive that the delivery would HAVE to be very early, or very late. Also stressed it to the delivery operative that I would be at the hospital from mid morning onwards. All that was noted on the delivery instructions - and I've just had a text to say that they'll be here between 14.00 and 17.00, and a call to the delivery people elicited the response that this was the time that the wagon was due to visit this area from the Manchester depot, and that the machine would now be slotted into the loading bay in the correct order for delivery within that time frame - DOH - one more part to the complaint, which I will be re-opening on Thursday. My advice to those wanting a good washing machine and good service is DON'T BUY INDESIT OR HOTPOINT. rant mode off> I'll check in again on Thursday. Edited March 31, 2015 by 45156 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Self-service - we've all got used to petrol stations these days haven't we? I was quite taken aback driving in Italy a few years ago and someone coming to serve me. (nearly typed coming out to serve me" but that would have been a very different type of service station). Do the Italian pump attendants still operate with a permanently lit cigarette in their mouth? Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'll get back to review the pages that I've jumped, but when I got to the post about Ian posting on Facebook, I went into that site to have a look, and saw a message that I'd missed from a fellow musician to tell me that my old friend and musical associate, Pete Fyfe had passed away after a long and losing battle with bowel cancer. So folk music has lost two worthies in the last day or two, and both will be sorely missed. Pete was a superb muti-instrumentalist whose talent was, sadly, not as widely recognised as it should have been. What happened to his (twin?) brother? Sorry, I forget the name. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Barry O Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 hey up! Quick call to read most of todays posts... wot a lot to read! I believe a seawolf would be ideal or rapier to take out the drones.... just had 5 emails about the agm which starts in 1hr from now tonight... shows how well organised some people are. Ian - hope the op goes well! Best wishes to everyone else with any form of illness. Baz ps stay steady away everyone .. we have battened down the hatches. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 45156 Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) What happened to his (twin?) brother? Sorry, I forget the name. Ed Sadly, Ed, Chris died after a long illness following a massive brain haemorrhage which left him partially disabled. That was several years ago, but for the life of me, I can't find a date. The Fyfe twins were both stunningly talented musicians who seemed to play together by instinct, and I was lucky enough to be a member of about half a dozen bands with them in the 1970s and early 80s until married life took over from folk-rock. Probably the best band they ever formed was Eavesdropper which I was not in, though I followed them quite avidly. To see the twins playing the Trumpet Hornpipe (aka Pugwash) in perfect unison (and harmony) with their mandolins behind their heads was a sight to be seen. Did you know the twins, then? Edited March 31, 2015 by 45156 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Could a drone be programmed to slip a card through your letterbox and quietly fly away to its base? It'd certainly annoy the dog :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Ian (OD), Hope you're soon back to 'normal' - whatever that is? Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted March 31, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2015 I don't remember the sten but the SMG had all the same problems But as it had the ejection port shield, didn't chop your fingers off whilst destroying everything but the target. You could see they were rubbish when the Imperial Storm troopers tried shooting with them in Star Wars I much preferred the L1A1 and then the L96 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 No let up in the weather here. Left the house in bright sunshine to walk the dogs, ten minutes later found ourselves barely able to stand in a blizzard.A neighbour was passing in his car and asked if I would care to sit in till the storm passed. I had to turn down his kind offer as I don't think it included the three dogs! The blizzard lasted about ten minutes, in which time we covered a couple of hundred yards, walking backwards and hanging on to fence posts from time to time! Then the sun came out and it was all blue sky again. The next one came along in about ten minutes, we just made it back in the dry. Best of luck with the op Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emt_911 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I don't normally post in the evening(except replies), but with things happening tomorrow I thought that it would be an idea to change a habit. Stewart - I hope everything goes to plan for you. Ian - Good to hear from you. Good luck with the op tomorrow Birthday greetings to S R Mike As for drone poaching, a mini gun? A lot less expensive than an A-10. Personal preference though would be the FN-FAL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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