Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning all.

 

Dry here now but windy, after a really wet night, interrupted by the sound of a coughing NHN. So much for virus checkers, I'm sure I caught this from Gilbert on the P'boro North thread!

 

Those LDA Sulzers get everywhere.  I'm surprised Jock didn't mention the Peaks, which were the first use of the twin bank (two in-line 6 cylinder engines side by side & geared together to one generator) version here, which went on to be used in the 47's as they got steadily uprated (and became more unreliable).  The type 2's were 6 cylinder, and the 33's 8 cylinder, all in-line.

 

We used similar engines to the LDA26's as generators on ships, from a variety of manufacturers. 

[emt_911]

Morning all. Dry but breezy so far this morning.

 

Not an exceptional amount planned for today but I will check to see how far out my £2 was when I can access the website.

 

Have a good day everyone

[lightengine]

Presently in sunny Teignmouth the sky is clear and blue and the weather is good. The light is a little strange from the SW direction though.

Off out for lunch today with some family, otherwise a quiet day.

[Two_sugars]

It's not raining.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Mornin' all,

 

Best regards to any that ail.

 

Out into the deep blue yonder at first light in The Moorlands....the claustrophobic cloud sheet retreating for a while.....

 

....the River Churnet in flood at Cheddleton....the Churnet has a minimum flow through Tittesworth reservoir....

 

....seemingly a causeway....the towpath of the Caldon canal (right) at Cheddleton. The scouring action of the river in flood is removing the bank adj. the towpath....

 

....the Churnet adj. to the flint mill....cascading loudly down the weir and away from the waterwheels, protected by a sluice gate....

 

....the first rays of the rising sun illuminate the trees....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...the Endon brook approaching its junction with the River Churnet....the two swollen waters causing the issues around Cheddleton. Additionally, flood events liberate cadmium and copper from the soils around the former Bolton's copper works at Froghall, polluting the river and causing fish death/invertebrate species limitations downstream...

 

 

 

 

....Leek has a fine collection of architecture stretching back like an historical document....here Wellington Mill (now flats/apartments) stands proud on the skyline. A guided walk around the town with a blue badge guide is well worth being part of...

 

 

Late back (09.45) for croissants, Dundee marmalade and fresh coffee....much to the chagrin of the domestic authorities

 

Feathered ones provided for

 

Enjoy what you do

 

Dave

Edited January 11, 2016 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all.

 

Bit of a 'wild' day and I'm talking about the page not the weather Victor

 

The big Sulzer engines definitely got worse in BR use as they were uprated - hence the main reason why they were derated.  Bubble bounce (in the coolant) was a big problem on the Brush Type 4s (Class 47) in their early years but there were other problems - which probably explained the little experiment which became Class 48.

 

According to the Daily Wail I see weather armageddon is approaching, meanwhile the Met Office says 'nearer to seasonal norms'.

 

Have a  good day everybody.

[DDolfelin]

It's not raining.

 

Where is the 'I don't believe it' button?

[Happy Hippo]

 

 

 

Picked up two lottery tickets while we were out, so will look forward to winning the now $900+ Million USD that is the latest reported figure.

The Central African Sanctuary for Hippopotami wishes you good luck in your speculation, and looks forward to a handsome donation from your impending good fortune.

 

(Now THAT is a begging letter!)

[AndyB]

Morning all,

Bird boxes varnished and the first one is up.

No birds have nested yet. 

 

Youngest has challenged me to a fishing competition. 

"What are we going to catch?"

"Whales and catfish. BTW, could you show me how to fish, dad."

 

I think trout may be more realistic around here. Not that I know the first thing about fishing - the last time I went was off Southend pier (probably 45 years ago) and one flounder between three of us was the result.   

 

My mind is turning to lunch and what to cook. And whilst I contemplate that I'm going to adjourn to the garage and potter on at the layout. 

Have a nice day everyone. Andy

[Tony_S]

I couldn't think of much to say earlier but after a very late breakfast I am now full of waffle.

I am off to B&Q soon for a big tin of magnolia matt emulsion. I found enough (almond white matt) for the ceiling. All the skirting boards and door frames are stained rather than painted. At least being upstairs Robbie won't be trying to help. I shall probably start next week!

Tony

[Judge Dread]

This empire strikes back or let the farce be with you.

As I sit at the keyboard I admire the view and it's no so good. The house of the other side of the street has been empty for just over a year now. A victim of a nation wide organisation trying to squeeze more students into their properties. The fact is while it has stood empty has had a positive effect, no screaming and shouting at 2 am and no more barbecues on the flat roof with the fire brigade attending to put out the fire.

Just before Christmas, a couple of ner-do-wells decided they would mark their passage through the district with their "tags". With no one to paint over their handiwork, I decided to do it myself. The painting with a roller is not very good or even the right colour but do I care?

I've got plenty of paint, so if they return, I'm ready!

I even had someone ask me if I could do their wall!

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all (just) from a bright and sunny Estuary-Land. The Central African Sancturary for Hippopotami isn't based in Nigeria by any chance? if so can they please let that charming gentleman who telephoned me that know that I am dealing with his cash advance through Interpol. Off to check my lottery tickets now, if its me my next missive will be coming from Barbados.

[AndrewC]

Morning all. A decent night's sleep for the first time in several days. Most of the pain has subsided finally. Still not feeling myself though. Blergh! Today's major task will be the shortish walk to Moreasons to pick up a few things. This includes an extra box of tissues after Ed's news from yesterday.   Tonight's feast will be a simple chicken ramen bowel.

 

Won SFA on the lotto.

 

Not a lot else to say, so have a great Sunday everyone.

[Coombe Barton]

I couldn't think of much to say earlier but after a very late breakfast I am now full of waffle.

I am off to B&Q soon for a big tin of magnolia matt emulsion. I found enough (almond white matt) for the ceiling. All the skirting boards and door frames are stained rather than painted. At least being upstairs Robbie won't be trying to help. I shall probably start next week!

Tony

 

Tony

 

Does this have anything to do with Aditi being retired?

[AndyB]

2nd bird box now up. No birds nested yet. 

Perhaps they are waiting for the varnish to dry. Talk about fussy!

[DDolfelin]

 

Just before Christmas, a couple of ner-do-wells decided they would mark their passage through the district with their "tags". With no one to paint over their handiwork, I decided to do it myself. 

 

Well done that man! Terrific effort.

[Gwiwer]

Ed - I'm sorry.  Nothing words can convey will remove pain but you're among friends here.  Best wishes and support to those closely affected.

 

Somewhat chuffed (pun intended) to note the we passed Flying Scotsman Page more or less at the time of the old lady's return to water-boiling action on the rails.  I'm not an LNER fan but just as I can respect good music without liking it so I can respect good design without being a fan.

 

Parking - my maxim has always been "If you can't park it don't drive it".  There's appalling and selfish parking here just as much as in the UK and other places.  

 

So much so that I'm considering starting up a branch of Careless Random Acts of Parking to place windscreen labels onto those vehicles clearly parked without due care and attention.  I know something of Jock's issues in Clacton as my sister still takes my elderly father to visit his own sister in Holland-on-Sea, having first paused for lunch after a decent drive up from Sussex.  Parking opportunities - even with their blue badge - can be non-existent.  Personally if I can reverse-park a 12-metre coach, which I learned to do in order to gain my PCV licence and done without a central rear-vision mirror, then I reckon I can park anything anywhere.  Apparently I've even surprised the good lady more than a few times by reversing into less-than easy places.

 

News : Dates finalised for my UK visit and dates for showing the neighbour's daughter around Cornwall also included.  She's 18, making her first solo trip overseas, leaving home on a one-way ticket and more than somewhat excited to be moving out into the Big Wide World.  Not sure yet whether I'll manage to weave in time for RMweb folk but hoping to.

Edited January 10, 2016 by Gwiwer

[southern42]

' Afternoon all from red dragon land.

 

  Sunneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey !

 

Railway modelling friends paid us a visit yesterday followed by our youngest who is staying a few days so we opened the

 

Big Box of Choccy Biccies.  (No comment!)

 

Lunch to do now.  Take care, all.

[BoD]

Morning all.

 

Update on twe sugar's post: it's started raining again.

 

This enforced inactivity after the op is starting to cheese me off. Gas bubble is nearly half way down my eye and like Happy H said it is quite fun to play with..... but the novelty does wear off after a while. I guess if you lpermanently live semi submerged in a mud hole you get used to it. The advice I was given was to rest until the eye has healed. I'm not sure how long it means by this. Any suggestions HH? As it is, I'm not risking anything until at least I've been back to the consultant which is this Thursday. Some vision is returning but I can't judge how well because the vision is affected by the fact that the lens was displaced anyway. For me, the off-white emulsions will just have to wait.

 

Normally it would be a great opportunity to paint or do some modelling but seeing in just 2D makes this somewhat difficult. Lots of people have got used to having the use of just one eye and adapt but I'm guessing it would take longer than a week and a half. I'm sure (hoping) that it won't come to this for me. Still, this is a minor thing compared to what others are going through, both here and in the big world outside ERs.

 

Enjoy what is left of your weekend.

[trisonic]

Good Lord! It is raining here!

Practically unheard of a third of the way into January.....

 

Snowstorm predicted for next weekend, so check figures  = 4”. That’s not snow, that’s snizzle.

 

Best, Pete.

[iL Dottore]

Morning All from sunny Shoreditch (I have time to kill before making the long trek to LHR. Swiss no longer run a BSL-LCY service, mores the pity, so Sunday is basically wasted as there really isn't time to do much except pack, eat and head out).

 

I am so sad and sorry to hear of Ed's news. A "non-viable" foetus could mean many things, as could "brain has not developed" (I can think of a number of possibilities - none good). ER is not the place (or now the time) to consider the biology behind such events, suffice to say that, sad as it may be, the termination of such a pregnancy (whether spontaneous or induced) is the least worst option. A small crumb of comfort is, perhaps, that grief fades over time.

 

My commiserations also to all those who are going through difficult patches at the moment. With so many posts by the time one catches up it's almost churlish to comment (even in support) on an event occurring days before, but support is there (one of my many tasks in my career was to take medical and scientific language and "translate it" into layman's terms and clarifying/explaining. If I can do that for someone, just PM me and I'll do my best to help).

 

On to happier events. Jock's groinal news is good (that sounds rude, doesn't it?); ideally he will be hale and hearty enough to join any future ER get together. It was most pleasant to meet up with some old lags and noises were made about a return engagement the next time I am in London. Someone on ER was curious as to our discussions, well far be it for me to broach the Official Secrets Act although I can - somewhat enigmatically - reveal some topics and their proponents:

1. Wooden dowel and where to stick it (Jamie92208)
2. No better than a bag of spanners (bbishop)
3. Le différence Anglo-Francaise on a double yellow (The Stationmaster)
4. Only at the ends and never in the middle (ChrisF)
5. You can cover up the burnt bits and no one will notice (Unravelled)
6. Reassuringly expensive (iL Dottore)

The pub grub was very good, as was the beer (it was, after all, a Gastropub) but a tad costly compared with the microwaved fayre found at lesser venues. Despite being almost deafened/drowned out by a table of young, 20 something, trendies, a good time was had by all. Eight is most definitely the optimum number - we could all speak to each other without the round table breaking apart into various sub-committees (or at least until the trendies volume became such that one could barely hear the person facing - let alone the one at the end of the table. A change in venue may be in order).

 

Shopping has been accomplished (partly thanks to Jamie) and both Jamie92208 and ChrisF turned up with goodies for me that were unexpectedly, but gratefully, received. Such was the nature of recent donations/acquisitions, the creation and assembly of a GWR Engineer's train is now becoming a distinct possibility.

 

Well, I'm off to have a spot of lunch before braving the Underground.

 

Have a great day

 

iD

Edited January 10, 2016 by iL Dottore

[Sidecar Racer]

 

Weather-wise, it's time to scare the beejesus out of the timid/warmer climate dwelling amongst us

Started off as a high of -14 and clear this morning when we got up, and that was the HIGH!

Right now, late afternoon, it's starting to fall, and already down to -16 with the overnight low expected to be -22. Buggered if I'm going out again today for ANYTHING

[Tony_S]

We had an ice cream van in our road this afternoon. It was quite sunny then. It isn't now, dark clouds and rain.

I did get the paint earlier . In answer to John's question the suggestion for painting may have something to do with Aditi being retired now. She said she can now help with such tasks. It was far worse when she completed her doctoral studies. She really hadn't noticed things that needed doing for years. The main reason for decorating the bedroom is that we have ordered a new bed. Delivery is expected now in about a month so it is a sensible time to decorate I suppose.

Tony

Edited January 10, 2016 by Tony_S

[newbryford]

 The main reason for decorating the bedroom is that we have ordered a new bed. Delivery is expected now in about a month so it is a sensible time to decorate I suppose.

Tony

 

Just don't mention mattress testing. I did once and didn't quite get away with it...........

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Coombe Barton]

We had an ice cream van in our road this afternoon. It was quite sunny then. It isn't now, dark clouds and rain.

I did get the paint earlier . In answer to John's question the suggestion for painting may have something to do with Aditi being retired now. She said she can now help with such tasks. It was far worse when she completed her doctoral studies. She really hadn't noticed things that needed doing for years. The main reason for decorating the bedroom is that we have ordered a new bed. Delivery is expected now in about a month so it is a sensible time to decorate I suppose.

Tony

 

Nice excuse.