Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

Marvellous to hear that Jock is on the up, thanks Flavio, and Gordon sounds very chipper for a man so recently laid low.

 

RaR gets my vote for surprising age. Many Happy Returns seems the right thing to say to one 11 years further down the track than me!

 

If the vote goes against continuing European Membership in June, I shall really relish being back among those nice people Barry gets to meet. Hopefully if I have to return we can find somewhere remote from such no-hopers. Come to think of it, it must have been part of the impetus to move to France in the first place!

Ian,

 

You can safely move to Wales.

 

We won't warn the sheep, so they won't be too nervous when you pitch up on your bike.

 

I am satisfied that Ashers will have you dress the part, with beret and striped shirt, complete with the  statutory bandolier of onions whilst gasping on gauloises.

[Simon G]

Car serviced today, which necessitated a trip to the metropolis of Workington.  Some shopping done while car in service, including a new pair of walking shoes from Sports Direct.  I am normally a size 12 shoe, but the rather nice Karrimor shoes I wanted were so tiny that I ended up with a size 14, just to get the width.

 

Then back home and a quick walk up and down the beach, as the tide was out.  During yesterday's similar walk, I observed a train with an interesting make-up.  It started with 2 class 68s, then a DRS coach, then about 5 or 6 double bogie flatrol wagons, another DRS coach, then another 68 bringing up the rear.  I didn't have the camera with me to snap it, unfortunately.

 

Some real signs of spring at last, as there are some sheep in the field next to our house, many of them with new-born lambs.  Most of the lambs are white, but with one pair almost completely black.

 

Great to hear that Jock is progressing well, and looking forward to his return to ERs.

[AndrewC]

Afternoon all.

 

Ian, it sounds like you've stumbled onto a nest of Vogons. Apart from bending them over on the costs incurred for all the extra hoops they make you jump though there is no joy in those sorts of projects. I've had to give up and build a VM just to install the crap receiver software our client uses for remote access. The package is so poor it up all sorts of things. At least in the VM I can just delete the whole thing afterwards with out it leaving a stain on my corp laptop. Dickless wonders indeed.

 

Speaking of cockwombles, what sort of hoofw*nking arsebiscuit calls a telecon meeting at 16:45 on a Friday just to discuss a reorganisation that may or may not happen in a year's time? no POE for me today. Tempted to dial in, put the headphones on mute, then go to the pub. AARRGGHH

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

Back from Enfield. I wasn't at all well last night but made an effort to get over to MiL's flat as apparently there were things only I could do. Arrived to find they had all been done. Totally out of character I was rather grumpy about it. Aditi understood why fortunately. I am pleased that MiL's flat is ready for her return on Monday though.

 

Aditi has now gone off to a committee meeting for her French group. Someone is coming to talk about Proust next week and we are putting him up overnight. We have warned him about Robbie.

 

I was surprised at Ian being given sodium chlorate. I know all about its normal useage. I suspect it was sodium chloride, unless they were concerned about vegetation in Ian's plumbing.

Tony

[newbryford]

 hoofw*nking arsebiscuit

 

One of the best curses I've seen in awhile.

 

"Like"

 

Cheers,

Mick

Edited March 4, 2016 by newbryford

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

 

Ian, it sounds like you've stumbled onto a nest of Vogons. Apart from bending them over on the costs incurred for all the extra hoops they make you jump though there is no joy in those sorts of projects. I've had to give up and build a VM just to install the crap receiver software our client uses for remote access. The package is so poor it ###### up all sorts of things. At least in the VM I can just delete the whole thing afterwards with out it leaving a stain on my corp laptop. Dickless wonders indeed.

 

Speaking of cockwombles, what sort of hoofw*nking arsebiscuit calls a telecon meeting at 16:45 on a Friday just to discuss a reorganisation that may or may not happen in a year's time? no POE for me today. Tempted to dial in, put the headphones on mute, then go to the pub. AARRGGHH

Once upon a time I had to manage networks in a number of schools. Some were managed in the school by technicians. Their networks generally worked. However for some reason some schools gave the task to quite senior staff who otherwise would have been responsible at best for parking on parents evenings. After informing one that the Australian software he had installed for his personal use on the network was unlicensed, in doing so he had also removed access to all the student users who had a practical exam the next day, and that I was not amused at being there, sorting it out when I was suppose to be running a course elsewhere, he complained about my attitude. The next morning my boss told me she had a complaint about me. She said "well done!"

[newbryford]

Good to hear a Jock update.

 

This was the view from my bathroom window this morning.

 

 

About 5 minutes later, I found out that the driving test was cancelled, so it was off to wife's work for snow clearing duties.

 

Whilst I was there, I had a wander on the golf course - more to prevent sledgers from using a particular part of the golf course as the turf was only laid last year. It was actually quite wet underneath the top layer of snow and sledges would easily damage the new turf.

 

There weren't any golfers out today.

 

 

By midday, the snow as melting fast, so I did venture out on a driving lesson. the one after had already cancelled earlier in the day as they were worried about getting home afterwards. (I drop that particular pupil off in town and she then gets a lift home from her parents out into the hills about 12 miles away).

 

So it was a POE for me........

 

Just to show how much thawing has taken place, this is the same view as this morning, taken a few minutes ago.

 

Waiting for a double glazing salesman to arrive, so we can sign up for our new porch. So a "sort of" big present for Mrs NB....... even though it's jointly funded.

 

Still deciding if I should take Mrs NB out for a birthday tea, but this may be a bit later, combined with a trip to pickup Junior NB from Preston station.

 

Tomorrow's golf is in doubt due to the snow melt and wet course, but plan B is more modelling and a longer stay to Preston Exhibition.

 

Have a good weekend folks.

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

 

[The Lurker]

Flavio, thanks for the update.

 

Happy Birthday RaR

[roundhouse]

Ian A - Yet another auto incorrect. Nice idea to be in Cork rather than work!!

 

No POETS day for me as just to much to do. Part way reading through 25 pages of amendments to a standard contract. Think it's one for the solicitors rather than me.

 

Looking at the snowy photos here's one that is the opposite and so far the trains running OK.

 

Some of our late friends narrow gauge layout is now at mums as the rest of us have nowhere to store all of it but parts will be going soon to a few people as and when they get chance to collect it. Hopefully Bourne Valley wil be exhibited again in its full 34 feet size as it was great fun when it used to go out like that.

 

Also handed to us are some of his N scale stock that he had worked on for Banbury so it will be nice to be able to run his scratch built NR laser car and other modified items of stock all in memory of him.

Unfortunately the HSTT did get sold at auction before we could bid online for them and his TT scale Czech locos were packaged up with N or narrow gauge items at the same auction so again we missed out on keeping items he had spent many hours working on and we would have paid more for the individual items than them being incorrectly marked up in a job lot of other scale stuff. I have scoured eBay in case they appeared on there but with no luck.

 

Anyway here is a photo at London Bridge this evening

 

Update

 

Spoke too soon - train now late!

Edited March 4, 2016 by roundhouse

[trisonic]

We had an inch of snow this morning - they didn’t even bother to post a “Winter Weather Advisory”. Heavy snow is something over 18”........

 

Ian D. : How long have you lived in France and paid their taxes? You must have paid the French equivalent of National Health too?

 

Been here since 1989 paying taxes etc and when I’m 65 I’ll get Medicare (which ain’t prefect but better than nothing).

 

I wouldn’t move back if I was you.

 

Best, Pete.

[Andrew P]

Great News about Jock, he is one hell of a fighter,

 

 

WONDERFUL.

[New Haven Neil]

Well that was a strange afternoon.  When I posted earlier I was in quite some pain, and almost at my wits end as it was driving me batty as the pain relief wasn't really working well at all.  I managed to finally get to sleep for an hour, and awoke feeling like 'something' had changed.  It had, pain was almost gone, and I felt a hint of normality for the first time in almost a week.  Really odd, I just 'felt different' suddenly, for the better.  I'm now exhausted, but finally feel I am over the worst.  When Debs came in from work I mentioned this, and she said her colleague (who had a similar illness last week) reported the same experiences.

 

Now, to important things - great to hear Jock is going to get home, and iD's post was immediately after I expressed my concern!

Edited March 4, 2016 by New Haven Neil

[bbishop]

Evening all. Back from York and about to go to a church do. Jamie will be in receipt of a present.

 

Bill

[BoD]

Good to hear a Jock update.

 

This was the view from my bathroom window this morning.

 

snow1.jpg

 

 

 

 

We have frosted glass in ours.

Keeps the neighbours happy.

[newbryford]

We have frosted glass in ours.

Keeps the neighbours happy.

 

We only have to worry for about 15 seconds twice per hour as the train passes.........

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Coombe Barton]

Spoke about POETS too darned early - still at it

[AndyB]

As Mick said, a fine turn of phrase, and one that I shall adopt. 

Off to the pub to raise a glass to Clacton's finest. 

[Andrew P]

Good to see Ian's back on here as well, Hooraa for another successful jobbie.

[Oldddudders]

We had an inch of snow this morning - they didn’t even bother to post a “Winter Weather Advisory”. Heavy snow is something over 18”........

 

Ian D. : How long have you lived in France and paid their taxes? You must have paid the French equivalent of National Health too?

 

Been here since 1989 paying taxes etc and when I’m 65 I’ll get Medicare (which ain’t prefect but better than nothing).

 

I wouldn’t move back if I was you.

 

Best, Pete.

It's all about uncertainty, really. Yes, been paying taxes here for a decade, while since my 65th birthday the UK picks up my healthcare costs anyway. But what would obtain if UK sets sail? No-one knows. As Tony S pointed out, there is a two-year notice period, so 2018 would be crunch time if things do get tricky. Just something to watch at this stage.

[AndyB]

As Mick said, a fine turn of phrase, and one that I shall adopt. 

Off to the pub to raise a glass to Clacton's finest. 

 

3 glassezz raized. 

[Ian Abel]

Stepping out the front door to get the mail, WHAT THE HELL??? They said a "...chance of rain mixed with snow..."

 

 

Six hours ago there wasn't a sight of snow anywhere!!!

[Tony_S]

It's all about uncertainty, really. Yes, been paying taxes here for a decade, while since my 65th birthday the UK picks up my healthcare costs anyway. But what would obtain if UK sets sail? No-one knows. As Tony S pointed out, there is a two-year notice period, so 2018 would be crunch time if things do get tricky. Just something to watch at this stage.

Update on the two years. After applying to leave the treaty states 2 years. However the referendum result is "advisory" so the two years begin whenever the government decides. I haven't seen a timetable for the period between any "leave " decision and applying to leave. Just for information! If you want to know how I hope the result turns out my Facebook page may have the odd hint.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Great news about Jock and everyone else who has been under the weather lately seems to be recovering and may it continue to be so. Bye for now, be back later.

[NGT6 1315]

3 glassezz raized.

 

Raised a bottle of Guinness on this end and hope that this'll count, too!

[emt_911]

Yet another day that went to plan, I'm starting to get worried. The only fly in the ointment was the journey home.

 

My first job was at a school and I was quite confused seeing teachers and children dressed up. For some reason they'd decided to have world book day today instead of yesterday like everyone else.

 

Mick - Happy birthday to Mrs NB

 

RaR - Belated birthday greetings

 

Neil - I hope that you manage to get the hip pain under control quickly. I see that you seem to be over the worst this evening. More good news

 

Flavio - Thanks for the update about Jock. I hope that I have his tenacity if required

 

Ian A & AndrewC - I have one client that created a safety specification 5 years ago which is still valid today. They have since managed to specify work on several sites over the past 2 years and failed to ensure that this is adhered to. Now I have to find a way to resolve it with minimal disruption. COCKWOMBLES