Early Risers.

[Robert]

Morning All,

 

My goodness - did it rain overnight!  It seems like we have had around a month of rain in one night.  Still, it must be said that we still need it.  It is also rather mild for the time of year.

 

Oh well, I had better get on.  Lots to do today!

 

Have a good day everyone...

[roundhouse]

Good luck with the course does you well.

 

My other half may also need some best wishes of a completely different kind as signal fialures at Redhill has reduced the London bound Thameslink services this morning. Glad that I am dropping her off and not travelling to London.

 

More modelling for me today. red marker lights to be fitted ot an AMtrak loco if I can find the packet of red LEDs I purchased recently.

 

Update

 

Her train did run but at last minute was redirected to the new platform 0  which is a fair walk from platform 2 as its via the subway then a walk along the new platform to where the trains actually stop. It was far easier when platform 1 was a through platform

Edited December 3, 2018 by roundhouse

[Barry O]

Morning all!

Chrisf. you will be fine..just go with the flow.

Like Q I didn't sleep well last night. Her indoors made a camomile tea for her and a peppermint tea for me at about half two. I managed to get some sleep after that..she dozed.

Mugatea now then I need to gird loins and heat for the middle of the Leeds Shopping Experience to get a suit.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Thoughts are with those that fail and/or are missing.
Baz

Edited December 3, 2018 by Barry O

[AndyID]

The only time I gave been propositioned was in a casino in Macau

 

You've not been to Vegas then?

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a rather wet Charente.  It's been raining at various intensities for the last two days and is due to continue today.  We are promised a break by the seaweed twirlers tomorrow. 

 

Chrisf, all the best and I hope that you get on well.  

 

A good evening was had last night with our friends round the corner and Beth's appearance at the open mike event went well.  Breakfast has been taken and the fire lit.  About 60% of the wood that we are burning at the moment was felled, logged and split by us in our own garden.  Not completely free when you take time and tools into account but a nice feeling, and warm. 

 

I'm not sure what the day will bring but have to go to the local town to the chemists and bakery this morning.  The baguette dispenser in the village is not filled on a Monday morning. Normally we only have  a 50 yard walk to get a fresh loaf but never on a Monday. Hopefully this afternoon will involve some fettling of small moving metal objects.

 

Regards to all and have a good week.

 

Jamie 

[andyram]

Morning fellow ER’s.

 

I am just popping in whilst I while away the dark morning hours whilst awaiting a delivery. Sarah’s Avon order is due between 7 and 10am and, despite it being my day off, I am up whilst she continues to slumber. She was ill yesterday, a reaction to the flu jab I think, so I agreed to let her lie in. Hopefully it will be my turn tomorrow.

 

I would like to offer supportive thoughts and good wishes to ChrisF. I sincerely hope the counselling helps. I know only too well how the black dog can reappear at a moment’s notice. From my experience, you are a true gent and have a lot of good qualities. You have had a big year, especially in terms of “coming out”. Hang on in there sir.

 

Today’s plans are based around the deliveries. As well as the Avon, there is a Peco delivery due here too. Then it will be a case of checking the bank to check that the college has paid me. My November pay should have been done by the end of the month but I have had no email from them regarding payment. That leaves me with a sense of foreboding. I know that, with scheduled Direct Debits, if the college have not paid me the account will be a bright shade of red and I will be on the warpath. The college claim to pay within 7 working days and the bill went in on the 19th November so hopefully they have just forgot the email.

 

Have a good day.

 

Andy

[roundhouse]

You've not been to Vegas then?

Yes quite a few times but no proposition in Vegas for me so far

[AndyID]

Yes quite a few times but no proposition in Vegas for me so far

 

You must not have been frequenting the right casinos. Last time I was there I was hit three times just trying to get from the reception desk to my room. Mind you, though I say it myself, I do have a certain irresistible charm, or maybe it's just the Old Spice aftershave.

[TheQ]

Mooring again, the pink pills did their stuff and another couple of hours sleep was obtained. It would have been more but Ben the border collie decided it was time for his patrol, which it would have been if I had been at work today.

 

Near the moon was a bright "star" I suppose one of our nearby planets unusually the only "star" visible in the sky as its quite bright nearing full Dawn.

 

ChrisB on a Norfolk broads form took this picture,

 

A bacon butty has been had, a Muggacoffee has been started.

 

Then I will progress to the yacon. It's in a raised bed with removable boards one side, so once they are out of the way the soil will be shovelled into the bin that did have spuds in. The edible tubers are laid out in the sun to dry before cold storage, the rooting stock, gets put in a box of damp sand to keep till the spring.

 

Whether or not the second bin of yacon gets dug out depends on my back. After that I have to drill a hole and sand thirty six dowels for the rug loom. Remaining time will be spent painting the layout carriage internals white, and with luck starting the build of next one.

 

Time too finish my Muggacoffee..

Edited December 3, 2018 by TheQ

[AndrewC]

Greetings from the boring borough. 

 

Missed the local Bexleyheath model railway show yesterday. I was in the loft sorting out crap and bringing down the Ch******s decorations. A rather busy weekend in all. Trying to get the house in some sort of state of completion. Still painting, which for me is quite painful with my shoulder and knee not wanting to cooperate. That means doing about an hour, then taking 3 or 4 days until I can continue. At least we can declare 4 rooms complete now. Doors on 2 and the rest of the hallway is all that remains. No word on the legal action. The court has deferred until after Christmas as the builder failed to file a defence but they are back logged in reviewing such cases. 

 

Friday saw the arrival of a box from Amazon. Most disappointed that it wasn't singing. It did contain a nice surprise though. A beer advent calendar sent by my son. Speaking of boxes, Royal Mail were knocking on the door at 07:01 this morning with a small parcel. Very early for them. 

 

Next door (the nice ones) have erected a marquee that covers their back from corner to corner. Some sort of family celebration on Saturday that went on to the wee hours. Party atmosphere but not intrusively loud so no complaints really.

 

Its been a good 8 days for sport. WHU stuffed the barcodes on Saturday. Welling United top of the table. Calgary Flames top of their division. Calgary Stampeders Grey Cup champions. 

 

Andyram. Depending on your bank there have been changes to deposits and debits over the weekends. Normally something that used to be dated for Saturday or Sunday, now frequently isn't processed until Monday AM. Hopefully, all will be well this morning.  

 

That's about it from here. More coffee. Enjoy the day. 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone

 

Well it’s chuckinitdarn this morning, despite the app on my phone saying it’s not! I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t ask for a lift to her Zumba class this morning!

 

I gave up last night trying to upload anymore photos, but I’ve had better luck this morning, so here are a few more.

 

Back later

 

 

 

 

 

[Purley Oaks]

Good morning all

 

The toothache hasn't returned following my non-root canal last Thursday; hope it stays that way.

 

Lunchtime I'll be visiting a house for sale; we tried to get an appointment for yesterday but the owners have gone on holiday until Christmas - who on earth does that? Saw another three but nothing that ticks all the boxes.

 

 

Her train did run but at last minute was redirected to the new platform 0  which is a fair walk from platform 2 as its via the subway then a walk along the new platform to where the trains actually stop. It was far easier when platform 1 was a through platform

Ian, are there still plans to add another platform or two at East Croydon? There was the Royal Mail platform opposite Platform 6/Cherry Orchard Road but have no idea if that's a go-er. The other side is Dingwall Road - would that work?

 

Good luck with the counselling today, Chris.

 

Have a good day

 

Mal

 

Edited to add: Great paintings, Brian, thanks for uploading them.

Edited December 3, 2018 by Purley Oaks

[roundhouse]

 

 

Ian, are there still plans to add another platform or two at East Croydon? There was the Royal Mail platform opposite Platform 6/Cherry Orchard Road but have no idea if that's a go-er. The other side is Dingwall Road - would that work?

 

yes there are, I believe a new platform either side of the current island platforms which will make changing trains very painful as its bad enough as it is with the footbridge to the stars and that gets wedged without adding two more lots of steps to climb. There is space there for them but what NR dont get is whilst it makes it easier for their operations it often delays trains as passneger scramble to change platforms (as per this morning at Redhill including the train staff also getting on that train) or passengers miss the last minute replatformed trains and if they are anything like the new one at Redhill then they will soon become very overcrowded. The current island platforms at least give extra space for passeners to stand.

Edited December 3, 2018 by roundhouse

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Lots of rain last night but dry at the moment. Some bright spells forecast but also more outbreaks of rain.

Today will see a reversal of last week's party preparations with glasses etc to be returned to the hire shop, furniture to be returned to its rightful place and umpteen balloons and banners to be taken down.

After that I may get to inspect my new little wheeled things more closely.

On checking my bank account I see that I have received my annual £10 bonus from the government. 

Mal has just reminded me that I need to make an appointment for a check up  and to see if a crown is required after my root canal treatment a few months ago. I haven't been having any problems so hopefully all is OK.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited December 3, 2018 by grandadbob

[45156]

Morning All

 

Sorry about my absence over the last few days, and as ever, a lot of ER water has passed under the bridge.

 

 The weekend just sort of evaporated into Christmas Fayres, table top flea markets, and that sort of thing - plus a nasty session of paperwork, checking bank and credit card, hence my a absence.

 

Today is LASAR day so probably some PAT testing, sorting books and DVDs, and ragging.

 

Bacon bagel calls now, so back tomorrow.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[88C]

Hope all goes well Chris, see you on Saturday.

 

Brian

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Best wishes Chris, hope it all goes well for you. Went to bed a bit late last night having spent some time on Facebook talking to a long lost cousin who I found on a local history group, my Grandmother and her Grandfather were siblings. She also informed me that two of my mothers first cousins are still alive, they must be in their 90's now. Hopefully I will be able contact them and fill in a few details of my family history. Thats it for now, be back later.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Sunny here.

Aditi has been tidying up, so I suspect there will be a trip to the tip/recycling centre. The guest bedroom is also tidy now and ready for the French Circle speaker staying here later this week. He isn’t French, he is from Wolverhampton.

Have a good day,

Tony

[81C]

Good morning all,

 

On checking my bank account I see that I have received my annual £10 bonus from the government. 

 

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

Yo Robert 

I got the tenner today I've never noticed it before as Her done the  accounts up till last month when we switched banks,  £10 bonus = 10 railway tokens.

 

Our old friends Pratwest managed to loose a standing order on the change over and failed to send us a terminal statement I have never come across such an inept lot since the RAC

removed the family breakdown cover without telling us they didn't advise me of an increase and I complained I think it must be norm' for poor standards of service you get today

from service industry companies these days Oh well things to do, places to go. 

                                                                                                                               Stavros  

[NGT6 1315]

Mawnin' awl. Slept in for a bit and hope you're all well, or at least on the mend.

 

Cloudy and quite balmy outside at almost 13°C, so no sign at all of snow or similar. Not a lot to mention yet as I really just started a bit of tidying up here and there!

 

And a snapshot of 1007, taken in Taucha on a fairly wet and somewhat blustery Sunday night...

 

 

 

 

Will be on Line 3 again later, so wish me strength...

 

 

Cheers.

[bbishop]

Yup, Dom has to haul his vehicle round some pretty sharp bends.

 

Bill

[grandadbob]

Haven't they got power steering then?  

[The Stationmaster]

G'day all,

 

Hope it goes well for Chrisf.

 

So today the Good Doctor accompanied the management to town and assisted as she left Waitrose - I simply drove down to collect them, and it was bucketing down making some interesting floodles on our ill non-maintained roads.  Now food prep for tomorrow is underway so I can't even get a cuppa as the kettle corner of the kitchen is fully occupied but at least there will be plenty of titbits for Kev the kite as both the lamb for tomorrow's. curry and the chicken for today's curry or pie are undergoing dismantling.

 

My pal in the north has sold his rail safety business and today I got a little note of appreciation for my help and encouragement in getting it off the ground, plus an enclosed piece of paper as a more tangible thanks to add to my bank account - nice to be thought of in that way.  But on the debit side Trinity House are clearly saving up for Christmas as we haven't got a card (yet?)  but in the same post a request arrived for the deposits for our two voyages next year along with the encouraging note that later this month we'll be getting the invoice for April's trip.

 

The dining room has of course been mentioned but I need tea to add to my resolve so it can wait,  although I hear the kettle boiling (reason unknown, hope springs eternal.

 

Have a good day everybody

[New Haven Neil]

Oooerr.  Was just thinking I was feeling OKish now, then I stood up...well dizzy and disorientated.  Joints less achey now though.  Odd bug, like having flu but no 'cold' type symptoms, just the aches, feeling absolutely crepe and this dizzyness. Bad timing too, our busiest time, my name will be mud at work.

[Ian Abel]

Morning all.

 

Apparently quite a busy weekend since it's already passed me by!

Managed to get home OK Friday, no tragic issues at JFK for once.

 

Saturday we got the expected snow, about 3-4 inches, problem was it started mid-afternoon, JUST when we were going to head out shopping, so curtailed it some since it got quite blizzard-like visibility.

Discovered that "somehow" ("parties" responsible for storing winter garments and then recovering them at the appropriate time have no answer!!) my winter coat has done a running, leaving me with no appropriate outerwear for the season - that's ONE of the items we were going to shop for!

Sunday attended an "anorak" event of the flying nature. The new Intercontinental hotel at the MSP airport, right there in the middle of things, advertised and held an "AV geek" open house for the top floor bar/restaurant - has great views of the airport, so Jemma and I headed out there, meeting her boyfriend who was inbound from work, and it was "nerd city" for a couple of hours. Well attended, but NOT overly crowded and they've threatened promised to hold another one next month!

View from the bar area...

 

 

All this while the Mrs was out with friends

 

In the evening we attended a local concert put on by  a mens choir, very nice.

That was the weekend.

 

Weather currently -4 and cloudy expected to reach a dizzying -2 but no more snow for now.

 

Hope the week starts well for all...

Edited December 3, 2018 by Ian Abel