Early Risers.

[NGT6 1315]

Morning all. First of all, may I second the wish that Dave and Is will get some answers today, and good ones at that. But whatever will be, we'll be there as a sounding board, which I believe will be on everyone's mind on here…

 

***

 

Overcast here after a partly rainy and thundery night, but still balmy. Perhaps the following selection of images from our Ireland trip will also contribute to lifting spirits… Disclaimer: May contain rail vehicles!

 

 

 

Alstom Citadis 301 set 3011 on Dublin's Abbey Street just past the O'Connell Street junction where engineering works for the Luas Cross City route are ongoing. As you may know, Green Line is to be extended north to Broombridge from its current terminus outside St. Stephen's Green.

 

 

 

Speaking of St. Stephen's Green, this is where Citadis 402 car 5018 was stood, waiting to depart for Bride's Glen.

 

 

 

 

The park itself is rather nice, too!

 

 

 

 

Engineering works on Dawson Street, looking towards Trinity College. Off the latter, the Cross City route's tracks will be split with the up track for Broombridge being laid through Westmoreland and O'Connell Streets, and the down track through Marlborough Street and across newly built Rosie Hackett Bridge across the Liffey. The tracks will be merged off Gate Theatre on Parnell Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Tara Street Station the other day with 8520 Class DART set 8532/8632 for Greystones.

 

 

Next was Howth Junction & Donaghmede…

 

 

8100 Class set with 8138 in the lead bound for Howth. Note that these units were built by Linke-Hofmann-Busch and GEC, and modernised by Siemens.

 

 

 

 

IÉ Commuter DMU 29101 heading north…

 

 

 

 

…and 201 Class loco 227 "River Laune/Abhainn na Leamhna" on Enterprise duty for Belfast. Pretty beasts, aren't they?

 

 

 

Howth harbour…

 

 

 

…and the view you get from the station's platform.

 

 

 

8102 in the lead on the next arriving DART service. By the way, is there any location where Irish WTTs are published in the same way Network Rail does for the UK?

 

 

 

Lansdowne Road with the underpass off Aviva Stadium and 8532/8632 bound for Greystones.

 

 

Then it was off for Cork the next day…

 

 

…and as usual on Saturdays, IC services out of Heuston were worked with 22000 Class units.

 

 

 

Cork Kent Station with 2602 standing by for its service to Cobh and 2617 further back on Platform 1 soon to depart for Midleton.

 

 

 

View from above our hideaway in the woodlands off Glengarriff.

 

 

 

Mizen Head Signal Station…

 

 

 

…on sheer cliffs facing the wide and open Atlantic.

 

 

 

 

 

Muckross House outside Killarney.

 

 

 

 

Baltimore – County Cork, not Maryland.

 

 

 

 

232 "River Cummeragh/Abhainn na Chaomaraigh" powering our return service to Dublin several days later…

 

 

 

…and being refuelled upon arrival at Heuston.

 

 

 

 

Harcourt Street with 5023 on Green Line for Bride's Glen…

 

 

 

…and 5019 a bit further up the street bound for Sandyford.

Edited May 24, 2016 by NGT6 1315

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

A bit cloudy but pleasantly warm.

I am taking Robbie round to the vets for another blood test today. If I survive I will report back later.

Tony

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from the land of the estuary. Fingers crossed for Is and Dave and Johns FiL and any others ailing or missing or otherwise indisposed. Bright and sunny here at the moment so a toddle into town beckons, also to stock up on supplies. Thats it for now, be back later.

[45156]

Morning All

 

Started off chilly this morning.

 

irst off, hope that the MRI result shows some facts which will move things forward for Is.

John - likewise, hope that FIL is on the mend.

Dom - love these holiday snaps - you're taking a risk posting so much r*alw*y stuff, as she might just be looking.  

 

Generic greetings to everybody else.

 

Plans today have changed a bit.  30747 had arranged to go to the hairdresser this afternoon, and I was going into town to pick her up, but a phone call this morning has changed things as her hairdresser called in sick.  We have an order due to collect in Argos, and I had planned to get that at the same time.  However, I now will need to change things, and go in this morning.  However, that can't happen until the washing machine has stopped - two hour cycle started at eight.  I don't like to leave Lily in the kitchen while it's running as it drives her mad.  Also, it has a tendency to fail to spin on occasion due to an imbalance, and I don't want to come home to it still trying.  So a trip out soon and 30747 will get the bus home.

 

May try to  check in again later.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[PhilJ W]

Dom's pic of Baltimore (Cork) reminded me of this

http://www.baltimore.ie/heritage-history/the-sack-of-baltimore-1631.html

[The Lurker]

looks like Dom has been taking a busman's holiday

[Happy Hippo]

Yesterday's fine weather ensured gardening work was carried out.

 

This was not too frantic, the majority being carried out at a gentle pace.

 

Yet another trip to the recycling centre was made. 

 

I was able to do more work on the curved bridge for the garden railway yesterday evening:  Only stopping when the light finally faded.

 

The fine weather continues, so this morning will see a bit more work on the bridge, and if the clamps and glue have done their job, the curve in the timber will stay in place.

 

I can then pin and screw various bits to prevent the possibility of it shearing apart. Then I can start on the other side and repeat the process. 

 

With luck I may be able to start putting on the decking tomorrow.

 

This afternoon will see me at the opticians for my annual eye test, which means I have to get clean and tidy. 

 

One does not go there straight from a wallow dripping mud and other unmentionables on the floor and seating.

[AndyB]

I see om has ensured his photos are litter free as usual. Dom, you missed some graffiti though. 

 

Tasked with washing some cushion covers today I inspected the tools of the trade and elected to do some washing machine maintenance first.

A pleasant half hour scrapping "biological" off the door seal, bleaching the hell out of it and now embarking on the soda crystal and vinegar cycles. Could take time!

No doubt swmbo will come home, look at the pile of cushion covers and say...."You had one job...."

 

I've also been tasked with purchasing a second coach for my layout. A bit of research needed to work out what would go with a green Bulleid BR (S) BCK as the next part of making up a rake. Answers on a postcard, or here if you have the answer.  

 

Planting out some more veg later. 

[bbishop]

I've also been tasked with purchasing a second coach for my layout. A bit of research needed to work out what would go with a green Bulleid BR (S) BCK as the next part of making up a rake. Answers on a postcard, or here if you have the answer.

Andy, there are two varieties of Bulleid BCK. The ones with the lavatory in the middle always ran as singletons (providing through services to Seaton, Sidmouth etc. off the ACE). Those with the lavatory at the end ran with a Brake Third as a two coach set. You need to get the same depth of window vent. Initially provided the same service as the singletons but to larger towns (Swanage off the Royal Wessex) but later in life were relegated to the branch set as wooden underframed coaches were condemned.

 

Other Bulleid sets were three coach (Bk 3rd - Comp - Bk 3rd), four coach (Bk 3rd - 3rd - Comp - Bk 3rd) and the six coach Bournemouth dining sets. There were three varieties of coaches: small vents, Birmingham and large vents and these weren't mixed (unlike in preservation).

 

Bill

[trisonic]

"Them that asks no questions isn’t told a lie.

Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by.”

 

Inspired by a comment by Dick, above....

 

From a Generic poster.

Edited May 24, 2016 by trisonic

[Debs.]

Is she about? 

 

Yes!

 

.......

[AndyB]

       

Thank gawd for Immodium Instants! 

[Gwiwer]

Lovely visit to Southern Fraggle Rock though being on as much business as pleasure - the official welding photographer - meant I wasn't able to get out as much nor as far and wide as I would have liked.  There's next time.

 

Returned not as planned with the car party via Fishbourne but on the Wightrider cat-a-moron.  Friend of the groom had made it under her own steam from Worthing to the wedding in Ryde and was planning to go back alone in the evening.  No way, we said, as she is deaf, has limited vision and walks with crutches and considerable difficulty thanks to advancing fibromyalgia. I cheerfully paid for a room for her and accompanied her back yesterday morning meaning she could enjoy the evening, the party and be assisted all the way home.  

 

Preparing for the Great Hike West on Thursday.  Calling at Rownhams Services, Exeter Services, Dawlish, Maidencombe and Hayle.  Rain forecast.  Might affect the booked photo-stop on the Devon coast and / or the walk along the coast path from Dawlish to Maidencombe.  We'll see.  I'm a tough cookie and haven't travelled this far to be put off by a few spots of water.

 

Best wishes to all.

[Tony_S]

Back from the vets. Robbie made no fuss at all about the blood test, and didn't even twitch when the needle went in. So the vet decided the attempt to administer the nasal spray for kennel cough could go ahead.

This went well too. The vet and nurse working there today were very good. Hopefully the blood test will not reveal anything too nasty. Robbie certainly seems well and is very active considering that some dogs of his age are getting a bit slow! I can't keep up with him anyway!

Edited May 24, 2016 by Tony_S

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Diabetic nurse duly visited then passed straight on to the Doctor - seems like a clever way to get in quickly which makes a change.  Diabetic number good, cholesterol still not good (or 'not good enough' in my words), kidney filtration rate number not good - matter being raised with our friendly neighbourhood renal unit to see it they propose any changes to my daily drug medication cocktail, usual dietary advice given with suggestion that my chocolate intake (it isn't much, honest) might not be helping the cholesterol.  Daft bit was he actually started to prepare a prescription for Gaviscon - I told him to stop as I would buy some - makes you wonder about the NHS drugs bill if they are giving people scripts for that sort of thing?

 

Sun shining, clearly aided by Debs presence among us - always nice to see a presence from Collie Towers.  Meanwhile the Good Doctor is another year older and tonight we're off t'Mill - this time it's a Ray Cooney farce so it ought to make up for the miserable Neil Simon effort we saw endured not too long back.

 

Have a good day everyone and hoping for some better news on the medical front for those in hospital care. 

[Donw]

Rich Rather nice of you to go out of your way to help someone when you only have a limited time over here. I don't think the weather will be too bad the next few days are supposed to be fairly dry here at Watchet possibly a bit of rain in the far west. However Dawlish to Maindencombe is somewhat sheltered from the West by Dartmoor. Have a good time.

Don 

[Purley Oaks]

Thanks for the Dublin pics, Dom.

 

At least our skin's waterproof, Rick, but hope it stays dry for you.

 

Hopefully this Helium Beer link will make you laugh... https://www.facebook.com/chefs247/videos/1149250718441625/?comment_id=530572537145036&comment_tracking={%22tn%22%3A%22R1%22}

 

Sun's out here, going for walk soon

 

Hope your day is good and hoping for good news from Is

 

Mal

[Oldddudders]

 

I've also been tasked with purchasing a second coach for my layout. A bit of research needed to work out what would go with a green Bulleid BR (S) BCK as the next part of making up a rake. Answers on a postcard, or here if you have the answer.  

 

 

I would check what data there is - loads! - on the SEmG website. Click on prototype features, then Bulleid Coaches. This is just a one-pager, but about halfway down is a link to a database of set numbers and compositions. This may help.

[roundhouse]

I fancy some helium beer!!

 

We will be visiting this place on our travels

 

https://shop.vytopna.cz/

[Oldddudders]

I knew a girl who lived in Maidencombe - but as she has three kids she's no maiden! By the time I married her she'd moved slightly down-market to Babbacombe, albeit smart Cary Park. I hope she'll appear here next Monday.

[The Stationmaster]

I knew a girl who lived in Maidencombe - but as she has three kids she's no maiden! By the time I married her she'd moved slightly down-market to Babbacombe, albeit smart Cary Park. I hope she'll appear here next Monday.

 

But what about the new, er, immobile home - is that back upcombe or further downcombe?

[Ian Abel]

Thoughts with Dave and Is, hope for bearable news.

 

 

 

Ta da... thought I'd make an entrance!

Tuesday and all's well on Long Island - best I can tell anyway on the brief sojourns from the dungeon to the hotel and back.

 

Overall uneventful yesterday as it always is here, BUT, for those in the same business as me - surprise, surprise - yesterday I was confronted by an advanced party of hostiles (from the finance department).

 

Curious as to "...when the departmental financials and budget reports would be ready for dept. heads to have access on a dashboard..." they questioned.

Hhmmmm, "when are they needed by?" says I (oblivious to the concern on their faces and the tone of the questioning).

"Month end after we close the period" was the response.

"OK - I'll try and get those to the upper end of the (very LONG) priority list"...

"Well, we've closed April, so they would need them by THIS FRIDAY!"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" - I considered jumping off the roof, but as it's only a two story building I'd just be stuck in the SAME hospital I'm working at!  

Apparently, no-one mentioned these being needed ASAP/at go live when we addressed the various priorities, way back - cue the "...what a bunch of cockwombles..." chorus.

 

Considered calling in sick today (see episode above for reasoning), but again, they'd probably just come medicate me at the hotel and drag me back to the hospital!

 

15 and moderate rain here, expected to rain most of the day, clearing early evening.

Fortunately the basement only takes on water in a hurricane  (Sandy managed to have the basement I'm sitting in 3 ft. deep with water apparently!)

 

Hope the day goes well for everyone.

[Ashcombe]

I knew a girl who lived in Maidencombe - but as she has three kids she's no maiden! By the time I married her she'd moved slightly down-market to Babbacombe, albeit smart Cary Park. I hope she'll appear here next Monday.

For the second time in less than a year, I'm away from Babbacombe and another drama unfolds:-

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-36353307

 

Apparently, the poor young woman (aged 30) took her own life.....

[45156]

Yes!

 

.......

Debs - love the new avatar, and I see it is also your new FB photo.  You really are looking great, and clearly are now on the right side of all the procedures.

[Tony_S]

For the second time in less than a year, I'm away from Babbacombe ...

Wherever my brother went to work in sunnier climes there seemed to be an uprising, revolution or other forms of unpleasantness. People became very suspicious and asked for whom he worked.