Early Risers.

[beast66606]

Back from dentists, painless apart from when he dried the tooth stump with compressed air prior to refitting the cap - that was "sharp" to say the least.

 

Sun still shining and a pair of 68s are at Ely waiting a and have got the road heading my way on blue grey coaches so something of interest.

 

Stone empties out later too - if work permits.

[TheQ]

Yesterday we had a company spam from the USA, saying there were burserys available for company employees, children at university.

Today we get an an email appologising that, that was meant for USA employees only.

This morning there is a sign up saying the fire alarm will be tested at 11:00,

at 10:48 it went off....

This morning there is an email saying the company is on Yammer from Japan.

What the h**l that is I don't know and I have no intention of finding out..

 

The delete button is often busy on my computer here...

[lightengine]

Some serious refurbishment happening at Dawlish Warren to the GWR camping coaches.

[beast66606]

Yesterday we had a company spam from the USA, saying there were burserys available for company employees, children at university.

Today we get an an email appologising that, that was meant for USA employees only.

This morning there is a sign up saying the fire alarm will be tested at 11:00,

at 10:48 it went off....

This morning there is an email saying the company is on Yammer from Japan.

What the h**l that is I don't know and I have no intention of finding out..

 

The delete button is often busy on my computer here...

 

Yammer is a social networking tool for business - we have it and I ignore it.

[Horsetan]

The sun is shining directly into my office window and burning my back. I'm out of here and off to the pub.

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all.  Welcome to POET'S Day.  As is normal it is not possible for me to be at all poetic but then I chose to sign up for this form of attendance - no-one made me do it.  

 

Numerous issues affecting large moving objects conveying seats ironing boards have played merry 'ell with everyone's travel plans these past two days.  Only a few weeks ago we were shovelling snow; now we have heat-related failures and actually scored 30C briefly yesterday afternoon.  Which month is this, again???

 

Minor moment of excitement yesterday back at the Hill as three vans all prominently marked IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT drew up on the verge.  a large number of plain-clothed personnel sweated for some considerable time and were overheard passing messages by two-way radio the content of which should not have been overheard 100 yards or so away and most definitely is not for consumption here.  The Thai restaurant may have received a visit, and likewise the massage parlour.  The "corner shop" didn't seem to be of interest.  We know from news reports that the massage parlour, also owned by Thais, was visited three years ago but no offences were found.  I spent the afternoon lazing in the sun out on the grass with a beer and some music.  For some of that time I was accompanied by neighbours, various.

 

Today sees me preparing for an event tomorrow which would attract the pointy end of Her Debship's Awl if I discussed it here.  It also saw me hopefully straightening out my tax (which I should not be paying) with a web-chat through to the tax people on gov.uk  I accept the need to be stung Basic Rate when re-entering the country after 17 years with neither P45 nor P46 but I do not accept that the code applied by my employer is correct.  They seem to think I am worth five times what they actually pay me and have coded me accordingly.  The tax orifice assures me that the payroll people will receive an official b0ll0cking infringement notice for miscoding and I get back everything I have overpaid - eventually.

 

Anent the speedy hearse I have had the misfortune to require two visits in the past year to Worthing Crematorium which is located up a very tranquil drive off the now very busy A24 London road well to the north of the town.  Some years ago the gap in the central reservation which allowed direct right turns from the crematorium back to town was closed on safety grounds.  At the same time as the bus stops were also closed making it impossible to use the bus service which passes by several times most hours.  So all corteges and indeed all visitors, given that one has to make use of a car to get there, must now turn left, head north and use a turnback facility at Washington which adds a good five miles to the trip.  The hearses take those return trips at a rate of knots because the additional mileage would otherwise affect their ability to meet their next obligation punctually.  It affects taxi fares quite significantly too.

 

Sun still out.  Uniform exchanged for shorts and T-shirt.  Beer available.  I'm off back outside and I may be some time.  Best wishes to one and all.

[Horsetan]

.....moment of excitement yesterday back at the Hill as three vans all prominently marked IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT drew up on the verge.  a large number of plain-clothed personnel sweated for some considerable time and were overheard passing messages by two-way radio the content of which should not have been overheard 100 yards or so away and most definitely is not for consumption here.  The Thai restaurant may have received a visit, and likewise the massage parlour.  The "corner shop" didn't seem to be of interest.  We know from news reports that the massage parlour, also owned by Thais, was visited three years ago but no offences were found.....

 

One of my old clients was detained the other day, and now I will have to book a visit to see her at Yarls Wood....

[81C]

 

Today has been decreed "P(Packing)-Day." That should be fun but The Boss is in charge and is very skilled at that task. I shall offer advice get in the way.

Nothing much else essential to do so I may go for a walk in the sun. ( but not at midday, I am English and slightly mad but not a dog   )

Have a good one,

Bob.

Afternoon Peeps

I have this vision of GDB washed and ironed and hanging from the picture rail in the bedroom with a note pinned to his shirt not to be moved till required. 

 

Back in Builders clothes today I cleared the dinning room of all the furniture and fixtures removed for the Plasterer tomorrow to skim the ceiling, hats worn today are Builder,

Electrician, Labourer and Slave, SWMBO was in brainless mode today she said after the Plasterer had been she wanted me to put everything back in the dinning room clear the lounge 

decorate that room then clear the dinning room AGAIN to decorate in there.   

Last night I had a bit of luck when moving a storage heater out of the way to decorate a few weeks ago I broke 2 ceramic chocy-blocks which hold the eliments in I spent a week

tracking down some new ones which were installed and the heater is back up and working I saved £500 on not getting a new heater, a sign on the back says "no cosumer parts

available" and a couple of phone calls made to dealers to be told they can't be fixed you need a new one what a con !. 

 

                                                                                                  Later Each and Every

[Simon G]

Now back home after today’s chemo session. The current plan is now 2/3rds complete. There was still a sea mist when we got home at lunchtime, but it rolled away early afternoon and the sun finally came out. It still wasn’t particularly warm, poss 14degrees, as there was still a cool sea breeze. However, it was a marked improvement on the last few days.

 

The weekend grass cutter has just arrived (aka no1 son), but he is as yet blissfully unaware of his forthcoming task!

 

On a positive note, we had a card today from a niece who got married in February to say that she is expecting. She had said at the wedding that they didn’t want to hang around and wanted a family as soon as possible, so it appears that they didn’t hang around!! We will try to FaceTime her this evening.

[JohnDMJ]

Morning all.

 

Had an early start to photograph a stone train at Eccles,

Have a good one all,

 

A stone train? Thought they were mostly of metal.

[Ian Abel]

A stone train? Thought they were mostly of metal.

Cue the requests for the GROAN button.....

 

Very late today especially since it's POETS.

Had an early (here) conference call with another client, that lasted way longer than required. Did result in me being offered up to provide them some ejukashun in a couple of weeks

Fortunately all remote as I'm not sure even where they are located, but I KNOW it's not "here"

 

Nothing else to report at all, Whitney, Bob and I just taking things slowly. Though Whitney and I took a walk yesterday afternoon.

 

4 this AM headed for 12 and sunny. Been "WARNED" by the seaweed twirlers that if we're not careful the LAWN will be visible by mid-Sunday! Horrors, no more snow

 

Hope your weekend start well, I'm going to POE and hope you can too.

[grandadbob]

 

I have this vision of GDB washed and ironed and hanging from the picture rail in the bedroom with a note pinned to his shirt not to be moved till required. 

 

Bob - you are really very close to the mark there! Suffice to say that if I touch, move or even look at anything now I may not survive to board the ship. The nearest I've been allowed to get to the cases is to affix the luggage labels!

My work is now done.    

[Tony_S]

Bob - you are really very close to the mark there! Suffice to say that if I touch, move or even look at anything now I may not survive to board the ship. The nearest I've been allowed to get to the cases is to affix the luggage labels!

My work is now done.

 

So how many suitcases are you taking? We have only ever been on cruises that start and finish in Southampton and I wonder if the 500kg capacity of the Freelander is adequate. We haven't done any that require flying to meet the ship. Edited April 20, 2018 by Tony_S

[lightengine]

One of my old clients was detained the other day, and now I will have to book a visit to see her at Yarls Wood....

Its not one of our finest hoteliers is it? A London barrister in her time but now, well .......

[grandadbob]

We're going from Southampton Tony. TBH I wouldn't do it any other way. Son Steve is coming with us again so we're going in his Velar. One large case, 20kg max, 1 medium about 14kg, 1 small one, 1 heavy duty suit carrier and my rucksack. (just in case there's a model railway show!   ) plus Steve's luggage. We've probably got far too many clothes but as the only restriction is the space in the cabin it doesn't matter. At Southampton the car is taken to the secure compound as you know and the cases are spirited away and you don't see them until you get to the cabin. Much easier than airports.

The only possible problem may be heavy traffic as there are road closures because of the Southampton marathon on Sunday but there is a recommended route in to the docks.

Can't wait now. 

 

PS. We did a Mediterranian cruise about 20 years ago and flew to Majorca. That did limit us with luggage and I wouldn't do it again.

Edited April 20, 2018 by grandadbob

[roundhouse]

We're going from Southampton Tony. TBH I wouldn't do it any other way. Son Steve is coming with us again so we're going in his Velar. One large case, 20kg max, 1 medium about 14kg, 1 small one, 1 heavy duty suit carrier and my rucksack. (just in case there's a model railway show!   ) plus Steve's luggage. We've probably got far too many clothes but as the only restriction is the space in the cabin it doesn't matter. At Southampton the car is taken to the secure compound as you know and the cases are spirited away and you don't see them until you get to the cabin. Much easier than airports.

The only possible problem may be heavy traffic as there are road closures because of the Southampton marathon on Sunday but there is a recommended route in to the docks.

Can't wait now. 

 

PS. We did a Mediterranian cruise about 20 years ago and flew to Majorca. That did limit us with luggage and I wouldn't do it again.

So you would find a small rucksack of clothes (with space for modelling purchases) a bit tight for two weeks then??

[Barry O]

Cricket watched, cricket umpired ( University of Leeds Women v Leinster University Women - indoors)

 

Nice and warm day so I have managed to get a bit of heat back in my joints..luvverrly!

 

More umpiring tomorrow... hopefully no one falls foul of the New Law 42.3!!

 

c u later!

baz

[grandadbob]

So you would find a small rucksack of clothes (with space for modelling purchases) a bit tight for two weeks then??

 

Yep!  I think  know The Boss would concur as well. One thing "we" don't do on holiday is laundry. Oh no. 

[jamie92208]

Evening all, and the Awl from a village that is still near a certain Swedish furniture store.   We had an interesting journey to St Malo yesterday as we got delayed by what looked to be quite a bad accident near Rennes.   Lots of traffic jams but we managed to get through.   Lots of Fire, Police and paramedics in attendance and Beth saw them doing CPR on at least one casualty. The resulting jams meant the ring road was solid so I ended up following my nose (Beth alleges that it's big enough) through the centre of Rennes and eventually got onto the St Malo Road.

 

Anyway we got home safely after lunch and have unpacked the liquid ballast from the car, it as only there to make sure that we towed the trailer OK, honest guv.   

 

Beth had just  minutes to turn round and head off to a hospital appointment.   She did make it but then found that they have stopped free parking for blue badge holders and she had no English currency for the machine.   Fortunately she didn't get a ticket.

 

Anyway generic C's and C's to all concerned especially Simon.  I hope the results are good.

 

Jamie

[Tony_S]

We went for our eye tests today. Both basically ok. Aditi's retinas showed some indication of having had diabetes for some years but nothing to worry about while her diabetes is well controlled. My eye problems seem still to be restricted to external scarring and other external problems so as long as I don't go and live on a mountain top or work in a dusty environment I'll be ok. Walking home with well dilated pupils wasn't fun on a very sunny day.

If the weather is nice tomorrow we may go for a walk somewhere. Possibly round a local reservoir. We never went before as dogs were not allowed and if we went for a walk in the countryside it was usually with Robbie.

Tony

[Tony_S]

Yep!  I think  know The Boss would concur as well. One thing "we" don't do on holiday is laundry. Oh no. 

We never intend to but sometimes do. One year Aditi even did what Matthew said was a terrible holiday thing to do. She went shopping in Marks and Spencer in Gibraltar as she had spilt something down a white blouse and the stain wouldn't wash out.

[Barry O]

night all!

[newbryford]

Thoughts to those that need and wish them.

 

The bike trip was undertaken today with a visit to my mate's bike shop just over 6 miles away.

I was quite surprised at how well I got on - even having to wait for Junior NB (who can do 3km in under an hour in the water) a couple of times.

The back didn't resist too much and there is a distant plan for a week on Sunday to ride most of the journey to work - 14 out of the 22 miles.

 

At said bike shop - which also sells triathlon gear - I purchased a decent set of goggles for swimming use. No doubt Junior will get here own back waiting for me....... this may happen in the next few days. The important thing is not to push my new found movement too far.

 

I have been given permission by Mrs NB to purchase an article that has the markings of Athearn, MP15AC and Sound on the box. This will be duly delivered to a very good friend of ours (the wedding we went to about 18 months ago) in the USofA as she is coming to the UK for work in about two weeks time whereupon it will be passed to me. Her workplace is about 20 miles away and we plan to meet up on her first day -which the company deem as a rest day after a transatlantic flight.

We are already due to meet them in Portugal in September as they enjoy their wedding present at Mrs NB's family villa - they invited us along to share their gift!

 

FORE! tomorrow.

 

Have a good Day of Saturn tomorrow.

 

Cheers,

MIck

[Gwiwer]

Numerous alcoholic refreshments had.  It is still warm enough to sit outside.  Having started the day at a quarter-past sparrowfart I am now more than ready for bed though the brain would be happy to carry on with a perfectly good evening. The body will, I suspect, be woken at least once in the night.  If not by the call of nature then by the anticipated drunken homecomings and up-stair-tripping of neighbours.  They mean well.  They're young, enjoying life and they are actually good friends who almost always respect our need for quiet.  I probably behaved in exactly the same way and disturbed other people when I was at university.  

 

Everything is as ready for tomorrow as I can get it.  I just took a glance at the centrepiece across the room and though "hey - that's quite good".  

 

Quick muggertee now and then a cooling shower before I hit the hay.  G'night all.

[TheQ]

Evening Awl,

Just back from the Ben the Border Collie Appreciation Society,

 

He as usual got lots of cuddles, and managed to scrounge an extra biscuit while I wasn't looking...

I did some thatching, well actually gave some a hair cut and minor dyeing.

Then some wood filler was used on a stone effect viaduct before some dark grey primer was applied.

Then I realized that an iarnrod, was legally required to have its perimeter edged by a feansadh, pricing this up each parcel of land 3ft by 2ft would require about £40 of feansadh, there being 6 parcels of land makes it too expensive. Alternatives are being looked at but there is not a lot of choice at 1/148.

 

Well my bed time choccy has been consumed,

Good night.