Early Risers.

[andyram]

Evening all - generic congrats and commiserations as appropriate. I hope that today finds you well and those that need to recover are improving. Today has been quite eventful. Not quite sure why, but I somehow felt the need to check the copy of the sick note that I had photographed on my phone. It was a good job that I did. The doctor had made a slight error - putting the end date as 18/4 instead of 20/4. This meant, according to the note, I was due back at work on Thursday. Clearly he had taken the 7 days from when I saw him instead of the end of my self certification period. This meant a phone call to the surgery this morning, including the usual long period on hold. It has been sorted and I have a replacement sick note to collect tomorrow morning. Whether this runs to the end of this week or next remains to be seen. I have requested the extension. The tablets are currently having the effect of sapping all of my energy. Once again this afternoon I found myself devoid of any energy and ended up dozing on the bed with one of the cats for company. I have to admit that, having read the incorrect date, the thought of returning on Thursday filled me with dread.

 

 On a positive note, I have managed to achieve a few things during the morning before the tiredness really hit. All the recycling was sorted, washing taken outside and a couple of online issues with Amazon sorted. Tonight Sarah convinced me to go to the church model railway group. I was not sure - but felt the short walk and fresh air may do me good. A bit of ballasting on the layout proved quite therapeutic and there were plenty of friendly faces to chat to.

 

 Tomorrow one of my previous headteachers is due to pop round for a coffee. She remains a close friend and is also trusted to give sound advice. Hopefully before then I will manage a decent night' sleep.

 

Best wishes

 

Andy

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.

 

I haven't had a chance to read the past day or so's posts owing to pressure of time in other matters.  That pressure will continue until after the weekend so I may be absent again for which I beg permission.  All is well at the Hill.  I just have an unexpectedly crowded diary for a few days.

 

Best wishes to all.  

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Evening everyone

 

After the dull start we had this morning, it started to rain mid morning and has been raining on and off ever since.

 

Some more progress has been made on both of the radiator covers, both have been completely dismantled to enable the painting to be completed a lot easier. Two coats of undercoat have been applied to both sets of ends, both sets of grills, both fronts and the underneath of the top. I’m not doing the upper part of the top until I get the beading and have fitted it, which I’m hoping to do tomorrow after I’ve been swimming.

 

It seems that the robins eggs have hatched, as I’ve seen them going into the nest with a beaks full of food. So I think they’ll be ready to leave the nest in couple of weeks. I’ve tried to take some photos today, but they dart about so quickly, it’s difficult to get them into focus, I’ll try again tomorrow.

 

Goodnight all

[AndyID]

Having said that I visited the Tornado thread - and have had to bite my tongue.  A lot of folk who think they know what they are talking about, talking utter sh*te.  'Shuttle Valve' indeed - ar$e.

 

Nothing compared with the total borlocks that gets posted about servos 

[newbryford]

You do not joke with US customs/immigration/homeland security officials!  

 

Unless they joke with you first.

Only once in maybe 20 US visits has that happened.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[AndyID]

There was also a semi-auto/clutchless manual which relied on a unique lubricant: Total Fluide-T created specifically for it.

 

I had a semi-automatic VW bug. Torque converter, three manual gears and an electrically operated clutch. IIRC it used Dexron in the slush box.

 

(It was the first VW bug in the UK to replace the dreaded swing-axle "automatic roll-over" rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and CV joints.)

[AndyID]

Unless they joke with you first.

Only once in maybe 20 US visits has that happened.

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

Probably just trying to soften you up

[Horsetan]

I had a semi-automatic VW bug. Torque converter, three manual gears and an electrically operated clutch. IIRC it used Dexron in the slush box....

 

Porsche had something similar with 4 speeds called the Sportomatic - still available into the early 1980s - and Cit's DS had a 4 speed hydraulic clutchless manual.

 

NSU Ro80 also had a 3-range clutchless manual - the Fichtel & Sachs "Saxomat" - which shared the oil with the engine.

 

Those gearboxes were quite easy to use. They just weren't all that quick.

[newbryford]

Probably just trying to soften you up

 

We got out safely.

And have been back again since...

 

Quick Q for the US travellers.

NB Junior is going there in for a week in May. Her ESTA runs out about two weeks after she gets home.

I know the US authorities like a passport to have at least 6 moths to run, but does anybody know the rules for an ESTA?

(I will go off and search, trying to avoid the $14 or so that is mostly supposed to go to the tourist industry.....)

 

Pause for effect....

 

 

That was a quick/easy search. Source is US CBP webpage

 

Do travelers need to update their travel authorization if it will expire before they depart from the United States?

No, An ESTA is only required to be valid on the day you enter the United States. The ESTA does not need to be valid for the entire time a traveler is in the U.S. If the ESTA expires while you are in the U.S., it will not affect your admissibility or the amount of time you are permitted to remain in the U.S. 

If an ESTA travel authorization expires before the traveler leaves the United States, the traveler is not required to apply for another. The traveler will need to apply for a new travel authorization through ESTA, however, for future travel.

 

 

That's just saved her me $14.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[lightengine]

April issue of BRM has on page 60 a replica of a 'depilated' barn. Where has its hair gone?

Edited April 18, 2018 by lightengine

[pH]

Probably just trying to soften you up

But I'm sure they would get more 'information' (e.g. body language) if they were a bit more human. I can write a script for the usual conversation crossing the BC/Washington State border here. Absolutely automatic, and no useful information passed either way. Then one day we got a guy who asked a few more questions in a friendly way. He got a lot more about where we were going, and why. And we got some recommendations about restaurants and bars we might want to visit. Altogether, a much more pleasant interaction.

 

I read an article in "Trains" contrasting the US attitude to security with the European attitude. The American writer travelled a lot in Europe on business, using trains. He considered US methods depended too much on technology and procedures - think of how uniform airport security screening is. In contrast, he said in Europe that there was much more unscripted human interaction by people trained to observe e.g. the reaction to an offer of help to carry a particular bag.

[AndyID]

But I'm sure they would get more 'information' (e.g. body language) if they were a bit more human. I can write a script for the usual conversation crossing the BC/Washington State border here. Absolutely automatic, and no useful information passed either way. Then one day we got a guy who asked a few more questions in a friendly way. He got a lot more about where we were going, and why. And we got some recommendations about restaurants and bars we might want to visit. Altogether, a much more pleasant interaction.

 

I read an article in "Trains" contrasting the US attitude to security with the European attitude. The American writer travelled a lot in Europe on business, using trains. He considered US methods depended too much on technology and procedures - think of how uniform airport security screening is. In contrast, he said in Europe that there was much more unscripted human interaction by people trained to observe e.g. the reaction to an offer of help to carry a particular bag.

 

On one occasion returning to the US there were two INS guys (one was probably a trainee) in the booth and when the person in front presented her "peppers" the INS guys got into an argument about whether or not the US recognized dual-nationality. I'm not surprised because the whole area is extremely murky.

 

I kept my mouth firmly shut.

 

[AndyID]

April issue of BRM has on page 60 a replica of a 'depilated' barn. Where has its hair gone?

 

 

Andy York?

[trisonic]

Having said that I visited the Tornado thread - and have had to bite my tongue.  A lot of folk who think they know what they are talking about, talking utter sh*te.  'Shuttle Valve' indeed - ar$e.

 

I’ve deliberately just added to the confusion..............  

 

Best, Pete.

[Ozexpatriate]

I have learned to my cost that overseas officials tend to take a dim view; I was taken aside for questioning by US immigration when I said I worked in tax, but don't worry not for the Inland Revenue....

 

Consider it a lesson learned.

You do not joke with US customs/immigration/homeland security officials!  

Unless they joke with you first.

Only once in maybe 20 US visits has that happened.

Probably just trying to soften you up

But I'm sure they would get more 'information' (e.g. body language) if they were a bit more human. I can write a script for the usual conversation crossing the BC/Washington State border here. Absolutely automatic, and no useful information passed either way. Then one day we got a guy who asked a few more questions in a friendly way. He got a lot more about where we were going, and why. And we got some recommendations about restaurants and bars we might want to visit. Altogether, a much more pleasant interaction.

 

I read an article in "Trains" contrasting the US attitude to security with the European attitude. The American writer travelled a lot in Europe on business, using trains. He considered US methods depended too much on technology and procedures - think of how uniform airport security screening is. In contrast, he said in Europe that there was much more unscripted human interaction by people trained to observe e.g. the reaction to an offer of help to carry a particular bag.

On one occasion returning to the US there were two INS guys (one was probably a trainee) in the booth and when the person in front presented her "peppers" the INS guys got into an argument about whether or not the US recognized dual-nationality. I'm not surprised because the whole area is extremely murky.

 

I kept my mouth firmly shut.

It's easy to criticize TSA. The combination of the wages paid and the subsequent talent pool from where they recruit, combined with what I expect is fairly short but rigid training, is more inclined to produce Vogon Spaceship guards than people good at reading others. There are also local community factors that makes an impact. One of the particularly shoutiest, TSA communities I have encountered is LAX.

 

Not joking with TSA is a good idea.They arrested an NFL football player this month for joking about explosives. (Those guys never seem to get arrested for their real violent crimes.)

 

Even in mellow PDX they can push contrary passengers to their limits. Of course there can be unintended removal of clothing too. I am not a slim person. Once my belt is removed it doesn't take much to alter my clothed state. Ask me how many times the ex-X-Ray pat down has caused this. (Despite some probable ancestry I am not particularly Scottish in my attire.)

 

The Israeli style questioning I have seen adopted for flights to the US departing from places like Amsterdam is pretty tedious, even if the interrogators are trained to observe unscripted behaviours.

 

One interesting observation I would make is the surprisingly non-uniform, uniform airport security checking. Travelling two weeks ago they screened for food in hand-carried luggage at PDX.  I asked 'was this new?' and the individual said 'no, we've been doing it for a year now' (They hadn't.) Nor did they check for food on my return through BOS.

[BR60103]

Some years ago, we were heading for our cousins in Michigan. When we said we were going to Le Roy, he burst out "Nobody goes to Le Roy!". We explained that our cousins had a cottage there.

Another one, after asking our nationalities, asked if the cats were Canadian, too.

 

Dayle is happier than she's been for 3 months. She saw the heart specialist today for the verdict for some tests and he told her that she was OK and that heartbeat variations were normal as the heart isn't clockwork.

Did I mention that the landscape crew worked from 3 a.m. yesterday until late -- our driveway was attacked by 2 machines at 9:10 p.m. so we managed to get out today. It was covered with 6" to a foot of snow ice.

[trisonic]

Yonks ago I can remember flying from Gatwick to Charlotte on US Airways and US Immigration checked out everyone’s passports actually on the plane enroute.

It might have been because they only appeared to have one guy in situ at the airport - I got to know him so well that we asked after each other’s families whenever I passed through...

 

Best, Pete.

[pH]

Yonks ago I can remember flying from Gatwick to Charlotte on US Airways and US Immigration checked out everyone’s passports actually on the plane enroute.

 

We clear US customs and immigration here in Vancouver before boarding the plane if we're flying into the States. It happens at some other Canadian airports, too.

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all

 

I decided to go for a blood test yesterday.  The test centre is about 15 minutes away and is walk-in.  I only had to wait an hour.  I spent an age on this ‘ere forum, did the fodder run and cooked late lunch.  Oh, and I washed my other pair of jeans.   They got rather muddy when I was planting the strawberries on Monday night and had gathered other grime as time went by.  The pragmatic solution adopted was to chuck them in the bath after I had vacated it, add a handful of non-bio and leave to soak.  Let me put it this way: if the colour of the water could be captured and turned into powder it would change the face of weathering.  For some reason I could not summon the enthusiasm for the admittedly minimal amount of ironing that awaits my “pleasure”.

 

Today is busy.  We have Area Group lunch in Harpenden and I must then return to Bedford with all due speed [on Thameslink?  Yeah, right] for the Calan concert, which should be good.  The last time I saw them was at St Pancras Old Church.  Bethan of the band found some tombstones on which to execute a clog dance.  Is nothing sacred?  Absolutely not.

 

Andyram, I hope you have a useful conversation with your ex-head.  You seem to be suffering badly from the chemical warfare that you have been prescribed.  I don't remember the ADs wiping me out when I was on them but then there are so many different types.  One of my 94 year old aunts works on the principle "When you stop, you drop".  I try to do likewise but do not always succeed!  It's worth trying when you are up to it.   This brings us to warm thoughts time.  They go to Tony and Aditi, to Debs, Simon, Mal, all owners of black dogs and to the ailing , recovering and missing.  Heck, this thread is nothing if not inclusive.

 

Chris

[Barry O]

Mording to most evening to others and sleep well to others.

My ed cold is progressing. Pah!

Having travelled across the world this year the only place we had any trouble was at Heathrow T5..just like the last time we did a similar trip

"Your clear plastic bag with toiletries in it is too big"....as it happens there is no maximum size just a suggested typical size of 20cm by 20cm. Herself measured her bag and it was smaller than that..next time the copy of the "rules" and a tape measure will be used to educate border farce/security.

 

Enough!

Best wishes to all, with hopes that all of our Ers have as good a day as you can and all receive positive health news.

 

Off for a mugatea!

 

Baz

[Barry O]

Pete

 

Great photos of Tornado! But way too subtle for some of the "engineers" on that thread!

 

Now for another mugatea...

 

Baz

[AndyB]

Morning all,

 

<RANT ON>

 

As you may have picked up my morning commute generally involves sitting in traffic, with an average speed of some 12-15 mph. 

 

No real surprise, therefore, when some others can be seen glancing down at their laps. Clearly they are either mystified by what is between their legs! 

Sometimes glancing tuns to intent and extended concentration whilst the traffic ahead of them moves forward and them oblivious.

Can I just say to the middle-aged @rse-ferriting c@kw@mble idiot who took this a step further yesterday that catching up with the traffic some 20m ahead and ccelerating to about 20mph whilst STILL staring down reading your lap-mounted mobile phone is a tad frigging stupid!! 

 

<RANT OFF>

 

And its a nice sunny day here today. All day meetings with the last one scheduled to start at 17:00.

Just noticed that two of the points on my layout somehow got mixed up - an unusual variant on the Minories theme appears to have taken shape. Doh.

[beast66606]

Morning all.

 

A lovely warm day is in the offing although it was chilly when I went out an hour ago to photograph a stone train passing Eccles Road.

 

Typical that the law of s0d lands - I pack up 26 tapes to send off for digitising, get to the post office with a few minutes to spare and get them in the post, so they should arrive with the guy today, he can then start the process of getting them into MP4 format. During the day I had been consolidating my digital copies of all 237 tapes, I'd already indentified the gap of 26 and everything else appeared ok so a total of around 3TB (terra) of movies were being backed up. As soon as I got back from the PO my eye was attrracted to something which looked "wrong" on the copy - funny how this happens, I didn't see it as such I just became slightly agitated that there was something not quite right. I checked the digital copies and discovered that 1 tape had not been "done" correctly when I'd taken the digital copy several years ago (around 8) - no great shakes as I can send off the offending tape but just annoying that I didn't think to do a better check before hand.

 

I missed Debs birthday, she's quite on Facebook at the moment - for obvious reasons - but pops up on my drivel postings from time to time, so belated Best Wishes Debs.

 

Last night I decided I'd make a model of Everest, I showed it to the wife.

"Is it to scale ?" she asked.

"No, I'm just going to look at it" I replied ..

 

Everything on and out of here,

 

later all.