Early Risers.

[newbryford]

so for my nightcap tonight .. a small (ish) glass of Port!

 

Sleep well all!

 

Baz

Is that a hint?

 

Cheers,

Mick

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Tony_S]

Regretably Snowdonia is not one of those places where it could be done, its only possible on deep soils such as the east of England. Places that have shallow soils or are mountainous its not possible. I'm not absolutely certain it can be used in the region around Le Mans but it looks from photographs that the soil is suitable. Its not that expensive either, the whole story of the program was a number of small rural businesses clubbing together to have the cable laid.

When cable (Teletext, now owned by Virgin) was installed round here, all the pavements were dug up. When BT installed fibre the new fibre cables were fixed to the existing wooden poles.

[Debs.]

I`m away off to my rest now, for a trip to the Manchester M.R.S Exhibition, beckons tomorrow........Nighty-night, E.R`s

[Tony_S]

I`m away off to my rest now, for a trip to the Manchester M.R.S Exhibition, beckons tomorrow........Nighty-night, E.R`s

Have a nice day at he exhibition.

[trisonic]

That’s what they did here too - mind you that’s what they do with everything.......

 

A. It’s cheaper.

 

B. With the excuse of the melt/freeze/melt/freeze cycles in the Winter. Source of the famous flying 300lb drain hole covers in Manhattan.

 

When cable (Teletext, now owned by Virgin) was installed round here, all the pavements were dug up. When BT installed fibre the new fibre cables were fixed to the existing wooden poles.

 

Best, Pete.

[emt_911]

Night all

[BoD]

No injuries fortunately but its going to take a while to extricate the bus.

That bridge doesn't look too healthy either.

 

The wind is definitely getting up here, even on the east coast. I don't think I've heard it so bad in a long time.

The lights have gone out a couple of times but have come straight back on.

The rain is yet to arrive

 

Take care if it's affecting you.

Take care anyway.

Goodnight.

Edited December 4, 2015 by BoD

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Very windy and wet here.

 

Arrived home last night to a chilly and very wet Edinburgh, some cars passing with snow on their roofs. London felt really warm by comparison, almost balmy.

 

Dave (TG), I can well understand Is being up and down emotionally, I felt scared before my op in September - Ian (OD) has put it all so much better than I. Just be there for her, which I know that you will be.

 

Jock, sorry to read of your loss, the fortitude you show is helping us all.

 

My father's funeral and burial on Wednesday went very smoothly - the flowers were beautiful and arrived on time, the undertakers really helpful, the priest, too. There were just eight of us and the eulogy went well - even though I'd practised it several times the emotion wells up and hits you when you don't want it to. Overall the service seemed very fitting. The balmy London weather meant that we could attend the burial outside in the churchyard in our suits. Afterwards the eight of us plus the vicar spent a pleasant couple of hours at the Spread Eagle pub with snacks and a couple of winter/Christmas beers.

 

Have just about managed to catch up with ERs, great to see Debs and Rick posting. Hope your poets days have gone well.

 

Mal

 

Hi Mal,

 

She has been out again today, this time with her Sheffield girlfriends, to Biggin Hall for lunch....she has even booked us in there for our 10th wedding anniversary meal on Christmas Eve and we're apparently taking Mum & Dad to Buxton Opera house for an Elvis tribute concert in Feb too. Good to see her on a high spot of the rollercoaster for the last two days.

 

She is even buying clothes again now....something that she initially declared pointless after diagnosis.

 

Best wishes for your treatments

 

Dave

Edited December 4, 2015 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[The Stationmaster]

Final full day in Portugal of my very short break.

 

A bit of trainspotting at the local junction - Tunes. (pronounced Tunesh)

 

A Vila Real-Lagos local DMU. These replaced the 1400 plus two coach trains about 10 years ago (The 1400 was basically a EE Class 20 with hood style cab)

portugal9.jpg

 

And graffiti is alive and well. In many cases, worse than the UK.

portugal10.jpg

 

The station lies on the line from Lisbon to Faro and was modernised and electrified about 2003-2004 in time for the European football championships (The Stadio do Algarve near Faro was one used for the competition)

 

The non-electrified branch to Lagos swings away to the left/west and the line to Lisbon heads north.

portugal14.jpg

From an operational point of view, the trackplan is quite good and I would love to do a UK "take" on a modernised branchline as a project.

 

Later in the day, we visited my favourite beach in the area at Galé.

 

portugal11.jpg

portugal12.jpg

 

And finally a family selfie.

portugal13.jpg

 

ER-ish at 7am for a 7.30 departure to Faro to drop off NB junior as she flies back to Essex. (Her uni course doesn't have conventional time off as she's on a 10 week on/1 week off course).The we hang around the Faro area for 3 hours waiting for our check-in back to Manchester.

 

Then it's back to work Sunday to do some catching up.

 

Have a good weekend folks.

 

Cheers,

Mick

Mick the transformation at Tunes is little short of absolutely amazing compared with what it was like 15 years ago - at that time the points were worked by two blokes walking round to them and changing them by hand and then clipping them before taking the keys to the Stationmaster.  The signals (mainly seeming just to be distants) were worked by an incredible looking device outdoors at one end of the station building, the branch was the Class 20 imitation while the mainline was the Class 50 clone.  There was a  level crossing on the main line just beyond the branch junction - looking in the direction of your third picture - which was worked by an old lady seemingly totally out of step with everybody else.  No footbridge  of course - you just walked across the track to get to the island 'platform'.  I wonder where my pics are?

 

And on that happy note - g'night all.

[trisonic]

I’ve got to post this here too.

 

NS tell CP to stick their “proposed merger” where the “Sun don’t shine” - and very entertaining it is too:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

NORFOLK SOUTHERN BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY REJECTS

UNSOLICITED INDICATION OF INTEREST FROM CANADIAN PACIFIC

 

Canadian Pacific’s Indication of Interest is Grossly Inadequate and

Not in the Best Interests of Norfolk Southern and Its Shareholders 

 

Transaction Would Face Substantial Regulatory Risks and Uncertainties

Highly Unlikely to Be Overcome

 

Norfolk Southern Confident That Its Strategic

Plan Will Deliver Compelling Shareholder Value

 

Company to Host Conference Call at 8:30 am ET Today

 

Norfolk, Va., December 4, 2015 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) (“Norfolk Southern” or the “Company”) today announced that its board of directors has unanimously rejected Canadian Pacific’s (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) previously announced unsolicited, low-premium, non-binding, highly conditional indication of interest to acquire the Company for $46.72 in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.348 shares in a new company that would own Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern. After a comprehensive review, conducted in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, the Norfolk Southern board concluded that the indication of interest is grossly inadequate, creates substantial regulatory risks and uncertainties that are highly unlikely to be overcome, and is not in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

 

“We believe in our ability to generate greater shareholder value through execution of our strategy – delivering efficient and superior service to build a more profitable franchise based on price and volume growth, implementing efficiency measures, and increasing returns on capital to strengthen our financial performance, all while maintaining our disciplined capital return strategy,” said Chairman, President and CEO James A. Squires. “Norfolk Southern has made growth investments and we expect to realize the benefits of these investments in the years ahead, especially as our intermodal volumes continue to build. Specifically, we expect to achieve an operating ratio below 70 in 2016 with additional improvements over the next five years resulting in increasing ROE and an operating ratio below 65 by 2020. By maximizing our asset utilization, we believe we can achieve double-digit compounded EPS growth over this period. In short, Norfolk Southern is well positioned to deliver compelling value to our shareholders.”

 

Mr. Squires continued, “There is a high probability that, after years of disruption and expense, the proposed combination would be rejected by the Surface Transportation Board (“STB”). We also believe the STB would reject Canadian Pacific’s proposed voting trust structure, and that there is no certainty that any other voting trust structure would be approved. Even if the proposed combination were ultimately to be cleared, it would be subject to a wide range of onerous conditions that would reduce the value of the stock consideration that has been proposed.”

 

Mr. Squires concluded, “We believe that Canadian Pacific’s short-term, cut-to-the-bone strategy could cause Norfolk Southern to lose substantial revenues from our service-sensitive customer base. We also believe the proposed transaction risks harm to vital transportation infrastructure and the communities we serve. Any strategy that hurts our customers and the broader community is highly unlikely to receive regulatory approval and is inconsistent with the delivery of shareholder value over the long-term.”

 

The Norfolk Southern board, composed of 13 directors, 11 of whom are independent, undertook a comprehensive review of the Canadian Pacific proposal. The Norfolk Southern board, in making its determination, considered among other factors:

 

·         The Canadian Pacific indication of interest substantially undervalues Norfolk Southern

o   Norfolk Southern, under the direction of its board of directors and a recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, is successfully executing a strategic plan to drive operational improvements. The board is confident that the continued execution of this strategic plan is superior to Canadian Pacific’s grossly inadequate and high-risk proposal.

o   The board believes that Canadian Pacific’s indication of interest is opportunistically timed to take advantage of a Norfolk Southern market valuation that has been adversely affected by a challenging commodity price environment, does not fully reflect infrastructure investments Norfolk Southern has made, and does not incorporate the upside from further improvements anticipated to result from the initiatives that the Company is implementing.

 

·         Norfolk Southern is successfully executing on its strategy 

o   Norfolk Southern’s management team is successfully executing a number of revenue growth initiatives focused on pricing discipline and growth in merchandise and intermodal market opportunities.

o   Norfolk Southern’s strategic plan is focused on providing superior customer service, continuing the recent improvement in network performance, and implementing efficiency measures, including managing headcount, increasing locomotive productivity, and integrating technological innovations.

o   Norfolk Southern’s strategic plan provides for double-digit compounded EPS growth over the next five years, increasing ROE, and, by 2020, an operating ratio below 65.

o   Norfolk Southern is committed to pursuing a disciplined capital allocation strategy while investing appropriately in its network. Over the past 10 years, since the inception of its share repurchase program, the Company has distributed nearly $15 billion to shareholders, consisting of an average of approximately $1 billion in share repurchases per year and a steadily increasing dividend with a 10-year annual compound growth rate of 14%. 

 

·         Transaction would face substantial regulatory risks and uncertainties that are highly unlikely to be overcome 

o   The board believes that the proposed transaction is unlikely to be completed given the substantial regulatory risks. Notably, any transaction must be determined by the STB to both “enhance competition” and be in the “public interest”.

o   Given the extended review process of two years or more and the uncertainty of approval, there would be significant disruption to Norfolk Southern’s business and operations. 

o   The Norfolk Southern board also believes that in the event the transaction did close, it would be only after the imposition of substantial regulatory conditions compromising the potential benefits of a combination and reducing the value of the proposed stock consideration.

 

·         There is no certainty that the STB would approve a voting trust - the voting trust structure proposed by Canadian Pacific is unprecedented and likely would not be approved

o   Contrary to Canadian Pacific’s claims, a voting trust under which a transaction would close prior to final STB approval of the merger would not protect Norfolk Southern shareholders from regulatory uncertainty. Under STB rules established in 2001, any voting trust would require both a public comment period and approval by the STB based on a finding that the voting trust itself is in the public interest. There is no certainty that the STB would approve use of a voting trust.

o   The voting trust structure proposed by Canadian Pacific is unprecedented, and it is highly likely it would be rejected by the STB because the Canadian Pacific management team would control or be substantially involved in the operations of Norfolk Southern prior to receiving regulatory approval of the proposed merger transaction.

 

·         The proposed transaction would be detrimental to Norfolk Southern’s customer base and communities

o   Canadian Pacific’s unilateral open access proposal would undercut the financial performance of the combined entity as well as degrade service and dis-incentivize investment. 

o   Any strategy that adversely impacts Norfolk Southern’s service-sensitive customer base and communities is unlikely to receive regulatory approval and is inconsistent with the delivery of shareholder value over the long-term.

 

·         Canadian Pacific’s synergy targets are overstated and imply significant reduction in investment to maintain service

o   Canadian Pacific’s overstated synergy targets imply significant reduction to investment and employment levels, which the board believes would harm service levels and would be unacceptable to the STB.

o   Operating synergies are limited because the Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern networks serve entirely separate regions and only connect at five points. 

o   Any near-term cost savings that might result from applying Canadian Pacific’s short-term focused operating model on Norfolk Southern would be offset by traffic diversions, service deterioration and loss of service-sensitive customers. 

o   Open access has been widely documented to produce negative revenue synergies from traffic loss and rate compression while also increasing operating costs.

 

·         The transaction would not help Chicago congestion issues

o   As the smallest Class 1 railroad in Chicago, accounting for less than 5% of all Chicago rail traffic, Canadian Pacific’s volumes are too small to impact Chicago rail traffic.

o   The proposed transaction would likely increase Chicago congestion.

§  Less than 15% – or less than one train per day – of current Canadian Pacific-Norfolk Southern connecting traffic can be efficiently rerouted around Chicago.

§  Further, Norfolk Southern believes that the proposed transaction would cause more, not less, traffic congestion in Chicago. We expect Canadian Pacific would increase revenues by converting interline traffic between Norfolk Southern and both BNSF Railway (“BNSF”) and Union Pacific (“UP”) to single-line traffic in the proposed Canadian Pacific-Norfolk Southern system. Much of this Norfolk Southern traffic with BNSF and UP avoids Chicago today. Unlike BNSF and UP, Canadian Pacific does not have efficient Chicago bypass routes, so Canadian Pacific would have to route most of this traffic through Chicago.

o   Not only do the lines of Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern not physically connect in Chicago, but neither company’s traffic can be moved to other Canadian Pacific-Norfolk Southern connecting points without all constituencies incurring substantial extra miles, cost and time.

 

The following is the text of the letter that was sent on December 4, 2015, to Canadian Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer, E. Hunter Harrison​​​​​​, and its Chairman of the Board, Andrew F. Reardon.

 

            Mr. E. Hunter Harrison                                                           Mr. Andrew F. Reardon

            Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chairman of the Board

            Canadian Pacific                                                                    Canadian Pacific

   7550 Ogden Dale Road S.E.

Calgary, AB T2C 4X9 

Canada

 

Dear Mr. Reardon and Mr. Harrison: 

 

The board of directors of Norfolk Southern Corporation, in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has carefully reviewed your letter dated November 9, 2015, that we received on November 17, 2015, regarding a potential acquisition of Norfolk Southern. After a thorough analysis, the board of directors has unanimously determined that the proposed consideration set forth in your letter of $46.72 in cash plus 0.348 shares in a new company which would own Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern is grossly inadequate and substantially undervalues Norfolk Southern. Further, the board determined that the transaction proposed by you gives rise to substantial risks and uncertainties and is not in the best interest of Norfolk Southern and its shareholders.

 

The risks and uncertainties result from the substantial regulatory hurdles that exist, which are highly unlikely to be overcome. We believe the regulatory review process would take two years or more from now, with a very low likelihood of approval. Even in the unlikely event of approval, Norfolk Southern would be in limbo for this extended period, causing loss of momentum and disruption to our business and operations. In addition, substantial regulatory conditions would be required to win regulatory approval, adversely affecting the value of the combined company and the stock our shareholders would receive. 

 

While you have publicly raised the possibility that a voting trust could be used so a transaction could be closed before full regulatory approval has been obtained, you failed to disclose the fact that any voting trust would require a public comment period and regulatory approval process, with approval based on the STB finding that such a trust is in the public interest. There is no precedent for a voting trust being approved under the new rules adopted in 2001, and there is no certainty that the STB would approve use of a voting trust.

 

Moreover, the structure you have proposed, under which Canadian Pacific would take control of the management and operations of Norfolk Southern, is unprecedented and has never been approved by the STB. As such, we do not believe that regulators would approve the voting trust structure. In any event, a voting trust structure would not address the uncertain value of the stock our shareholders would receive, as the ultimate value of the combined entity would be impacted in large part by concessions imposed as part of the regulatory review of a transaction.

 

Beyond not being in the best interests of our shareholders given the regulatory risks and the grossly inadequate value of your proposal, we also believe that the proposed transaction would be detrimental to Norfolk Southern’s customer base. We have heard significant concerns from customers regarding a transaction with Canadian Pacific. Further, if Canadian Pacific were to implement its short-term strategy, it would cause Norfolk Southern to lose substantial revenues from our service-sensitive customer base. We also believe the proposed transaction risks harm to vital transportation infrastructure and the communities we serve.

 

We have seen your public statements regarding a desire to meet. As you know, I was the one who suggested a meeting with you following the incorrect Canadian press reports that we had been discussing a transaction. When we met you suggested the possibility of a further meeting, while acknowledging that the discussion might not be confidential; subsequently, I agreed to a meeting if you and Bill Ackman, the Principal of Pershing Square, a Canadian Pacific board member, and a controlling shareholder, entered into a customary confidentiality agreement, which you refused to do. The fact is that not only did we already meet, but I also offered you several opportunities to provide additional information to our board for it to consider in reviewing the transaction you proposed – you did not provide additional information. In light of the grossly inadequate terms you proposed, and the regulatory risks to both the approval of the transaction and the ultimate value of a combined entity, we do not believe that there is any basis to meet.

 

Our board of directors and management team are committed to continuing to act in the best interests of Norfolk Southern and its shareholders. Norfolk Southern is executing on its strategic plan to implement operational improvements, which the board believes will enhance value for all shareholders. Our board does not believe that the transaction you proposed reflects the value inherent in Norfolk Southern and the benefits of our strategic plan. Accordingly, the board has unanimously rejected your proposed transaction.

 

Sincerely,

Jim Squires

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Bank of America Merrill Lynch are acting as financial advisors to Norfolk Southern Corporation and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Hunton & Williams LLP and Morrison & Foerster LLP are acting as legal advisors.

 

Conference Call and Webcast

Norfolk Southern will host a telephone conference call and a webcast on Friday, December 4, 2015 to discuss the unsolicited indication of interest from Canadian Pacific. Presentation slides will accompany the live webcast, both of which will be available on the Norfolk Southern website. You may participate in this call by dialing (866) 610-1072 for domestic locations or (973) 935-2840 for international locations. A passcode, 93852422, will be required. Jim Squires will comment on the unsolicited indication of interestbeginning promptly at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time before answering questions. The live webcast and accompanying presentation slides can be accessed through the Norfolk Southern website, www.nscorp.com.

 

A replay of the discussion will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed through www.nscorp.com, or by dialing (800) 585-8367 for domestic locations or (404) 537-3406 for international locations. A passcode, 93852422, will be required.

 

About Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including but not limited to statements regarding the indication of interest made by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “consider,” “project,” and similar references to the future. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and reflect the good-faith evaluation of the Company’s management of information currently available. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including future actions that may be taken by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited in furtherance of its unsolicited proposal. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as the Company’s other public filings with the SEC, may cause our actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such performance or results will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities law.

 

Stop. Email received by me just after 7:00am this morning.

 

 

Best, Pete.

Edited December 4, 2015 by trisonic

[Tony_S]

That bridge doesn't look too healthy either.

The wind is definitely getting up here, even on the east coast. I don't think I've heard it so bad in a long time.

The lights have gone out a couple of times but have come straight back on.

The rain is yet to arrive

Take care if it's affecting you.

Take care anyway.

Goodnight.

Overnight here the wind is forecast to be about 20mph. However at 9am it is forecast to be just over 40mph. However it is is already gusting more than earlier this evening. There are only two of the once six horrible Leylandi left now at the property at the end of our garden!

[roundhouse]

And for comparison from 2000 at Tunes.

 

And on that note good night all

 

[Jock67B]

Morning all,

Busy day, although I managed to lurk a couple of times. Now in bed with iPad to hand, awaiting explosions from within!

Mike(60860), looks like you'll have to travel by train for a while - I recently watched a repeat of 'Coast' which featured the Forth road bridge. They highlighted the deterioration of the suspension cables, with some of the strands breaking due to corrosion. Quite worrying as they had the cables wired for sound, and the 'ping' from breaking strands did seem to occur quite frequently! Will they be able to replace them? The programme suggested they would be good for another ten years. From the latest BBC bulletin, the engineers look to be examining one of the support towers. Bit sad when you consider its rail carrying neighbour commenced build in 1882 and is still going strong!

Chris, terribly sorry to hear about your friend. We have some experience of this with Joanna's half brother (it's a long story). He took a carving knife as choice of weapon, then staggered the half mile or so to our youngest daughter's! He still bears the scars, both physical and mental.

Ian(OD), I hope your journey to the West Country isn't compromised by the poorly beast and inept sounding vet. Thanks for the update on Sherry.

Sherry, Ian gave us the good news that your injection procedure was not as painful as at first feared. We both have our fingers crossed that his current problem with the cat won't interfere too much with your festive plans.

Debs, it is always uplifting to see your avatar appear, but doubly so when you post your intention to visit the Manchester show which suggests that you are on the mend. This could mean that some lucky members will have the undoubted pleasure of meeting you in the flesh (as it were!).

Stewart, hope you get your broadband sorted as soon as possible as I know that your good lady and yourself use the computer for more serious purposes.

John(KB), I would want to go to the wake for two reasons, one to see what his other family members are like, and secondly to enjoy whatever is laid on as a way of raising two fingers to him. It sounds like he was a rather poor 'Christian'.

Mal, we were very pleased to hear that the funeral went as well as can be expected. I sympathise on the emotions front - I was elected by all the family to perform the same office at my atheist father's funeral. I did well until quoting from a couple of his favourite poets when I choked a bit. I had the support of a humanist, supplied by the forward thinking Harlow Council, and she had me e-mail my speech to her a week before in order that she could take over if I froze. I'm pleased to say I managed (apart from that mentioned above) but it was comforting to have her there. Are you the only one who can perform all the bureaucratic requirements after the passing of a relation?

Neil(NHN), what a lucky escape for the children,and driver, but I suspect the bus is going to be a write-off! Hope the 'boss' is feeling better now?

Mick(NB), thanks for the splendid images from Portugal, looks like happy families! Hope for a safe journey back for you and your lass on your different flights.

Dave(TG), really good to hear that Is seems to be enjoying life at the moment, and like me, she probably likes to book things ahead which you then strive to reach! Hope you are caring for yourself as well.

Fingers crossed for improvement of our poorly digital friends, and I'm sure we are all hoping that those in the path of the worst extremes of the weather get through it without too much damage. Now enjoy the weekend,

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete! G'night all!

[Jock67B]

Pete(trisomic), that piece was a struggle to drag through - the word 'gobbledygook' springs to mind! Talk about covering all the bases, including the one they sit on!!

Keep us posted of developments.

Kind regards,

Jock.

[Two_sugars]

MY bins are all over the yard!!!!. . . Good job I've Bungyed the Lids on. . . .  Wind's "A Bit Strang, Like"

 

 

Been sat in the kitchen all night picking guitar with my mate . . . Even had a couple of "Bah! Humugs" and a gallon if tea, of course!

 

Goodnight Everyone . . . .Sweet Dreams. . .

 

John

[southern42]

Plans for tomorrow due to weather is to stay at home and keep warm.

Topped up the hotpot again tonight so there'll be enough tomorrow if the wind blows the electric off and we have to resort to the camping gas stove.

Hope everyone rides out the storm OK.

Keep safe all.

' Night and nos da.

[laurenceb]

Night all

[Barry O]

I know when my body decides it is getting better. A genteel dose of heartburn.

Wind howling here but currently dry. Someone has just passed by whistling the march of the day theme. A happy Hartlepool United fan?

 

Back to bed for more sleep (I hope)

 

Baz

[AndyID]

What do you do when the weather is bl00dy awful?

 

Curl up in a warm place and take a nice nap of course

 

 

with ears at attention and one eye open too.

 

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

Flying visit this morning as I'm off to Manchester.  High winds v West Coast Main Line could be interesting.   I wonder if I will met Debs at the show?

 

No more news of my poorly pal but many thanks to those who have proffered good wishes.

 

Until tomorrow

 

Chris

[NGT6 1315]

Morning all! Slept in, kind of at least. All seems to be quiet outside but winds are expected to pick up by the afternoon. Probably not nearly as bad as that which you in the British Isles seem to be getting currently, though…

 

Going to take some getting out.

 

51707948.jpg

 

Oh dear, that could have ended in tragedy indeed. Glad to hear everyone appears to have been lucky, Neil.

 

Have a good one and be safe, everyone…

[emt_911]

Morning all. Didn't sleep to well thanks to the gales outside so plenty of coffee being consumed.

 

I hope that the storm has minimal effects on all ER's

 

Have a good day everyone

[Smiffy2]

Morning all.

Fell asleep at nine last evening, so wide awake at three...

 

It's still dark in Carshalton-sur-Mer and I suspect the whelkmen have already made up their minds to stay abed, as the wind can play havoc with your coracles.

 

Had to pull out of going to see the Carshalton Lights lit yesterday evening due to my back being painful (a bit better today) but apparently it was good. Daisy loved it but Rose got bored...  Today's the Frost Fair. I don't know if I'm going or not, standing and pushing through crowds may be a step too far for the sacroiliac. I'm sure it will go well without me.

 

We have work to do in the loft. If Julie has a fault, it's carp. Buying it with the intention of doing something with it in the future. So we have tons of stuff all over the place and the loft is now non-negotiable. Chocker. To the gunwales. So I have to go up and remove some shelves screwed (almost) to the wall and replace them with steel shelving units. In the middle of a muddle. Could be fun. Not. I think we need a new loft ladder as well...

 

So I hope you all have a good day, that health behaves and friends are comforted and cared for. Be cool.

[Gwiwer]

 

 

Rick (Gwiwer) it seems like you have a better set of managers who actually want to get out of the office.

 

These two chaps certain do.  The two "teenage" girls they have replaced were never seen outside the office unless there was alcohol to be had or a cigarette break was required.

 

Morning all.  The weather is living up to its reputation for giving us four seasons in one day (yes there was a song about it) having started misty, become hot and sunny, then turning grey and cooling down and is now windy with that!

 

Morning attendance was off to a shaky start when numerous staff were trapped the wrong side of a person-beneath-train incident which closed their line for three hours.  Being at such an early hour on a Saturday bus drivers were hard to source so alternative transport was slow in arriving.  

 

It's the first full-on shopping assault of the Christmas season, there are concerts and sporting events and everyone's in town.  Then at lunchtime and right in front of hundreds of people we had a "person struck by train" in full view of the crowds including lots of young children.  Very difficult to manage.  More than somewhat traumatic for a lot of people, with staff and customers.  This one at least managed a trip by ambulance despite having managed to smash the windscreen and fall into the pit; the earlier one was removed by the coroner.  Staff accounts and CCTV footage show the person having made a "practice run" with the preceding train and of then intentionally running into the path of the one which struck them.  

 

We have a strong staff culture of mutual support and "trauma buddies" for such events.  I'm expecting a few phone calls or private chats in coming days.

 

Other than than it's been rather an enjoyable shift and I can go home and sleep easy knowing I've given a few people a laugh and told a lot more where to go.  In the nicest possible way of course!