Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

So what have you done with the other 38 minutes?

 

Cheers,

Mick

I sold them to Southern so that they can claw back a bit of their delays out of LBG.

[45156]

May I have permission to scream? 

 

Cockwomblette this morning nearly put me in the ditch while taking a bend on the wrong side of the road, on the back road to town, as I was returning from taking 30747 to work.  Young, and driving a Range Rover very badly indeed.  And I met her when I was bringing 30747 home again, and this time she was trying to turn right into my path as I was turning left into the road from which she was emerging - but to make that easier for her, and harder for everybody else, she was sitting half way into my lane.  Perhaps she had never been told that we drive on the left even in Range Rovers.

Edited May 20, 2016 by 45156

[BSW01]

Good afternoon everyone.

 

The sun came out mid morning and when I got to the office it was quite warm. Didn't need to put my coat on again when I left to complete my last job of the week. Whilst having a chat with my manager I was informed that a former colleague of ours who retired just over 7 years ago is now quite poorly. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, after successful treatment, it returned in 2009 just as he retired, and he's been fighting it ever since. I think I'll arrange a visit for some time next week.

 

Back later.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

 

With more twists & turns than the Thunder Looper at Alton Towers I had a text from Is this morning to say that the specialists are now unsure of the cause of the blockage in her kidney and they're discharging her. Naturally I've done a wide swerve to the flower shop on the way home from work and made sure that she has a welcome home card too. I'm now waiting for the text to tell me to fetch her....there is obviously a story in this but I won't know until I get her home.

 

Dave

Edited May 20, 2016 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[Coombe Barton]

Dave

 

My eyes are damp - you must both be going through all kinds of hell. We're here to rant at.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

....I'm not quite sure where I am in the emotional stakes just now John but thanks for the support.

 

Dave

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

.....you really couldn't make it up. I'm now told that she won't be coming home today and visiting is at the normal time.

 

Dave

[Gwiwer]

Found enough wifi in a supermarket coffee shop to catch up on the critical matters. Shame about the "coffee"

 

Is and Dave - my best wishes to you both for strength and courage facing an invidious situation and a somewhat unknown future.

 

Sherry - better late than never with the birthday wishes!

 

Mal - pleased to see shopping around and "talking down" is getting you some affordable insurance; i do the same every year and am paying less now than I was 10 years ago - and that ignores the effects of inflation.

 

Still waiting for the inevitable phone call from Clacton (or more specifically Colchester Hospital) but there's also my nephew's wedding this Sunday on the Isle of Wight (Southern Fraggle Rock?) whereat I am the official photographer.  I've checked and re-checked the cameras after something of a senior moment yesterday when nearly all of my day out in London pictures were taken with the camera set on manual not aperture priority.  The dial was rotated one click extra and guess who failed to spot it until reviewing over 100 blurred images .........

Southern Failway continue their current trend of being incapable of getting anyone anywhere on time.  Up trains ran as intended but delayed due to "Congestion at Gatwick" but late evening return trains were a shambles.  Direct train which should have had portions for Eastbourne and Bognor had only one 4-car unit which decided it was going to Lewes.  Passengers for Eastbourne were advised to change there for a bus.  No mention of passengers for the west Sussex coast.  Train-specific £5 ticket must then be accepted under the NCoC on the closest alternative service which would have been a Brighton train had that not been cancelled account no crew.  The remaining option was the Brighton fast train which is now a Gatwick Express service.  Cockwomble at the barrier refused all but GatEx ticket-holders despite there being no other reasonable option. That mob still behave as though they are a separate business which they no longer are.  Cockwomble suggested taking a Portsmouth-via-Arun-Valley train and changing at Gatwick (to what?) which I politely declined.  Most of the Bognor-portion passengers boarded the Lewes unit in the hopes of a miracle.  Half an hour later I boarded another Brighton train which Southern did manage to find a crew for and sped past those decanted from the Lewes train as we rushed through Haywards Heath.  Got to Brighton to find coastal trains all cancelled due to no crews until the last one at almost midnight.  It's only a £5 fare but I'll claim the refund anyway for the delay and will write formally to the operator regarding the Gatex Cockwomble being unhelpful, providing misleading information and being a smug git.

 

Enjoy the day.  

[Ian Abel]

.....you really couldn't make it up. I'm now told that she won't be coming home today and visiting is at the normal time.

 

Dave

Good grief! You really don't need this for sure

[Ian Abel]

Found enough wifi in a supermarket coffee shop to catch up on the critical matters. Shame about the "coffee"

 

Is and Dave - my best wishes to you both for strength and courage facing an invidious situation and a somewhat unknown future.

 

Sherry - better late than never with the birthday wishes!

 

Mal - pleased to see shopping around and "talking down" is getting you some affordable insurance; i do the same every year and am paying less now than I was 10 years ago - and that ignores the effects of inflation.

 

Still waiting for the inevitable phone call from Clacton (or more specifically Colchester Hospital) but there's also my nephew's wedding this Sunday on the Isle of Wight (Southern Fraggle Rock?) whereat I am the official photographer.  I've checked and re-checked the cameras after something of a senior moment yesterday when nearly all of my day out in London pictures were taken with the camera set on manual not aperture priority.  The dial was rotated one click extra and guess who failed to spot it until reviewing over 100 blurred images .........

 

Southern Failway continue their current trend of being incapable of getting anyone anywhere on time.  Up trains ran as intended but delayed due to "Congestion at Gatwick" but late evening return trains were a shambles.  Direct train which should have had portions for Eastbourne and Bognor had only one 4-car unit which decided it was going to Lewes.  Passengers for Eastbourne were advised to change there for a bus.  No mention of passengers for the west Sussex coast.  Train-specific £5 ticket must then be accepted under the NCoC on the closest alternative service which would have been a Brighton train had that not been cancelled account no crew.  The remaining option was the Brighton fast train which is now a Gatwick Express service.  Cockwomble at the barrier refused all but GatEx ticket-holders despite there being no other reasonable option. That mob still behave as though they are a separate business which they no longer are.  Cockwomble suggested taking a Portsmouth-via-Arun-Valley train and changing at Gatwick (to what?) which I politely declined.  Most of the Bognor-portion passengers boarded the Lewes unit in the hopes of a miracle.  Half an hour later I boarded another Brighton train which Southern did manage to find a crew for and sped past those decanted from the Lewes train as we rushed through Haywards Heath.  Got to Brighton to find coastal trains all cancelled due to no crews until the last one at almost midnight.  It's only a £5 fare but I'll claim the refund anyway for the delay and will write formally to the operator regarding the Gatex Cockwomble being unhelpful, providing misleading information and being a smug git.

 

Enjoy the day.  

After that sort of diabolical runaround I now see a whole new purpose for, and reason to arm myself with... a pair of NUT CRACKERS, aptly named!  

[AndyID]

May I have permission to scream? 

 

Cockwomblette this morning nearly put me

 

Shouldn't that be "chickwomble"?

 

One of them nearly got me yesterday. Phone jammed on one ear with one hand and cup of coffee in other hand while making an illegal left turn.

[45156]

Just popped in for a catch up, and got the updates from Dave.  I've no idea what you must be going through at the moment, and as with others, I can only share their sentiments, and hope that in due time, all will become clearer, and that you will be able to settle to whatever is to come - the unknown is just about the worst scenario.  Keep us posted, mate, and don't forget that you have a lot of virtual friends here, and it is at times like this that the warmth of ERs comes to the fore.

[lightengine]

So what have you done with the other 38 minutes?

 

Cheers,

Mick

He's banked them. When the missus says can you do this or that, he says in 38 minutes!

[roundhouse]

A such a shame it is the trains causing others on here problems it's also reassuring that it's just not me that gets fed up with Southern and GTR.

 

Trains a mess this evening and decided to cut short tonight's leaving do as other half was wedged on a short formation train with previous one cancelled and first class NOT declassified (so Southern gestapo can fine passengers standing in first class). I happened to lo up trains home to realise that one was delayed and next one on time. Made it through the shambles at LBG past someone taken ill and emergency services in attendance. Onto a train that is actually quite empty as it came in late aswell and left within a few minutes so I suppose many missed it.

 

I might even have to use Southern tomorrow to get to and from LA (Littlehampton that is rather than the one in California).

 

Been reading about the fiasco that they have now introduced when your season ticket gets lost. You now have put apply online for a replacement that can now take up to a week to get replaced and buy tickets until youbreceive it rather than get it replaced at the ticket office you bought it from.. Never used to be like that. All a big money making racket set up but Daft.

 

Drivers and ticket office staff now supposedly being balotted on strike action.

 

I see more trouble ahead.

[The Stationmaster]

Is that because you can only get double-barrelled plumbers in posh Henley-on-Thames Mike?

 

Ed

 

Nothing to do with Henley - he comes from Reading   ...   tehehe  (and the local plumbers appear to vary between useless and bl**dy awful - wonder if that's why several of the posh local bathroom shops have closed down?)

[Rugd1022]

Nothing to do with Henley - he comes from Reading   ...   tehehe  (and the local plumbers appear to vary between useless and bl**dy awful - wonder if that's why several of the posh local bathroom shops have closed down?)

 

Just a heads up Mike in case you're interested - nowt to do with plumbing but there's a Henley WR totem up for grabs at the next GCR Railwayana auction on 4th June.

[lightengine]

After last Thursdays CT scan, my gp arranged a heart & lung clinic visit today. That leads to a PET Scan, which has been hurriedly and conveniently arranged for next Tuesday at Plymouth with us due to go to Belgium on the Wednesday for a 'church day' for the 3rd eldest grandson. Pat is pretty emotional about it but it's wait and see time until we get back.

After the hospital we called into the Green Ginger (Spoons) in Torquay and had lunch before some last minute shopping for Belgium.

Pats Ortho appt came through today, so 6 months after being injured whilst being assaulted she will finally see a knee specialist.

[Tony_S]

I cut the lawns and then we took Robbie for a walk. He was naughty and took himself off for a swim in a nasty smelly stream/ditch. I hosed and shampooed him and then needed to clean myself from all the dirt he covered me with when we got home. I did some work on the non-scenic bit of my railway, adding Corriflute edging so that trains can't fall off.

Now just watching Essex v Surrey T20 cricket on the television.

Tony

[emt_911]

Definitely one of those days where I wish I hadn't got out of bed. I did my first job in Twickenham, came home and changed to carry out interviews. One turned up early and was quite impressive while the other one was late. I phoned him when he was 5 minutes late for him to say that he couldn't make it but could do a telephone interview. Cockwomble.

 

I then had to go back to the first job because there were issues on site that they tried blaming on me. Wasted a few hours proving that it was a fault elsewhere on site and ended up getting home 13 hours after I started. I also ended up behind a complete cockwomble driving an Audi 4WD who had to slow to less than 5mph for every speed ramp for nearly 2 miles. All this means that I now have to go to Watford first thing on Monday. Not impressed.

 

Andy B - Well said

 

Stewart - Why are you hoovering the washing?

 

Dave - Talk about an emotional rollercoaster. You certainly don't need any extra false hopes. Please keep us updated.

 

Thinking of those ailing, supporting, recovering and missing

[Paperlad]

Hello all,

 

I've not been here for a while so I thought that I'd better check in, although not much to report.

 

I'm currently in China (again!), this time it's Chengdu. Arrived yesterday and leaving tomorrow night. I spent most of today doing a great deal of nowt but I managed to complete an online course for the company, watch a movie and waste a few hours on t'interweb, although most sites are blocked in China unless one has a VPN.

 

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring a clean uniform shirt, or clean undies, however, the locals seem to have plenty of laundries so I shouldn't be too smelly tomorrow! I also managed to leave the company iPad on the 'plane and didn't realise until we arrived at the hotel...must be getting old or summat.

 

Have a good day/good night* everyone. *delete as appropriate to suit time-zone.

[New Haven Neil]

I had to google VPN.  It's my age.

 

Thinking very hard of Dave and Is this evening.

 

In other news, there isn't a lot.

[grandadbob]

No tumble dryers or grandads have been harmed today.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Evenin' all,

 

If appetite is a guide to health then Is is in recovery mode....she scoffed the trifle and drank the fresh orange juice which I had taken for her and asked for the fresh pineapple to be left within reach. She has good colour and is bright in outlook. The card which I'd got for her, with its lovely view of the Southwold beachfront (we were there last week) is in pride of place where she can see it.....to try to entice her back out of that place. I've told her of the support/prayer reaching out from this thread to her bedside and she says thank you all for your good wishes.

 

Her MRI scan on the kidney area is now pending

 

Then the rollercoaster dipped again....as I walked out of her ward door it was closed by staff and an 'infected with C-Dif, enter at own risk' notice was hung on the handle.  

 

Dave

Edited May 20, 2016 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[NGT6 1315]

A such a shame it is the trains causing others on here problems it's also reassuring that it's just not me that gets fed up with Southern and GTR.

Trains a mess this evening and decided to cut short tonight's leaving do as other half was wedged on a short formation train with previous one cancelled and first class NOT declassified (so Southern gestapo can fine passengers standing in first class). I happened to lo up trains home to realise that one was delayed and next one on time. Made it through the shambles at LBG past someone taken ill and emergency services in attendance. Onto a train that is actually quite empty as it came in late aswell and left within a few minutes so I suppose many missed it.

I might even have to use Southern tomorrow to get to and from LA (Littlehampton that is rather than the one in California).

Been reading about the fiasco that they have now introduced when your season ticket gets lost. You now have put apply online for a replacement that can now take up to a week to get replaced and buy tickets until youbreceive it rather than get it replaced at the ticket office you bought it from.. Never used to be like that. All a big money making racket set up but Daft.

Drivers and ticket office staff now supposedly being balotted on strike action.

I see more trouble ahead.

Hell of a way to run a railway is the best possible comment I can come up with. I could rather well imagine Southern's front line staff to hold on to a knife in their pockets (to paraphrase a German saying) every day they need to come onto duty with all that mess they are forced to put up with...

[Coombe Barton]

Dave

 

I know where your thoughts and priority must be but please remember to eat and drink yourself - it's so darned easy to forget.