Early Risers.

[AndyB]

Morning all,

Good on you Dave. I'm very much for the first quote should be "best and final", possibly with a marginal percentage of wiggle room. 

And on that note swmbo was ringing round yesterday for quotes on double glazing. 

One well known firm asked to come round at 16:00. And if we signed on the spot they'd be very grateful. 

"I'd need to talk to my husband about your quote". 

"We can come round at 17:00 so he can sign on the spot." This was accompanied by a £100 voucher on their website which was time expired. 

I'm rather looking forward to the "What do we need to do to win the work" conversation. 

 

Anyway, better dash. Toodle-pip. 

 

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

 

4.5 hours sleep, awoke to the sound of hammering rain, 2 hours dozing on the sofa.. 

The rain had stopped by the time I took Ben the Border Collie out this morning he seemed especially happy today, charging around everywhere.

 

Driving in the increasing wind has dried patches on the roads where the hedges aren't...

 

Micks comments on smart meters are exactly why so far I've refused to take two, they've repeatedly tried to get me to take them, one for the house the other for the mobile home as we are in the middle of nowhere and it's a long way out to read the meters..

 

Except when I had to take the house insurance from the morgage company, I have alway used a broker for house and vehicle insurance, they can do the ringing round for me...

 

Well later ( or early tomorrow) I've got a major system in from China to calibrate, that will take 3 days to do, it's been hanging around for a couple of weeks while the main cal lab does their bit, but since it's internal to the company it keeps being delayed as there is no profit in it...

 

One of our 2 direct American bosses is here today, he's conveniently arranged to be here now, as his daughter is going to go to university somewhere in europe and he needs to make arrangements. Meantime today I with others have to take part in a conferance call with the other boss in America today..

 

 

Time to... wander down the lab, I have a 1 Gohm Resistor to measure for a customer..

 

Gareth is on it's way keep your heads down folks!

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Chuckinitdarn here.

Congrats to AndyB. Hope you get financial reward as part of your promotion. 

 

High winds expected today. Hopefully it won't disrupt indoor cricket umpiring tonight.

 

Off for a mugatea

Baz

[Dave Hunt]

Morning All.

 

It's 'orrible outside but Mug O'Coffee is going down a treat. Woken up by the gentle crashing and banging of green bin and recycling boxes collection.

 

Regarding smart meters, I have been told by several people in the energy supply business that the main object of the exercise as far as the companies are concerned is to enable them to record everyone's usage minute by minute. Once they have achieved this they will start charging the same way, increasing the cost during periods of high demand. As far as I am concerned, I have repeatedly told my suppliers that I am not interested in having one as I consider myself intelligent enough to work out what my usage is in general terms simply by looking at what I have switched on and don't need a 'smart' meter to tell me. I am also capable of reading a meter and giving them the results when requested.

 

Some household jobs today as well as a charity committee meeting midday and some writing to do for the Midland Railway Society so the likelihood of shed time is low.

 

To all who can, have a good day. For the less fortunate, I hope it's as good as it can be and my prayers are with you.

 

Dave

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a sunny but cool village a long way from Ikea. 

 

I spent yesterday morning arsoning about.   I had the bonfire ready to light and the matches in my hand as Madame Le Mayor turned up with my fire permit in her hand.  She hadn't been at the Mairie on Friday to sign it.  That's personal service.   Anyway the fire went well and is now a low heap of warm ash.  I even managed to cut some of the grass in the garden near the house.  Beth then returned and over lunch a variety of sins of various sorts were pointed out.  However she had enjoyed her weekend away and came back with a painting that she had done.  It's on canvas, a first for her, and is of a poppy.   It's excellent to my eyes so I will have to hang it today.   The rest of the grass was cut after lunch and then I got some shed time and sorted two niggling track faults. 

 

Today the ironing awaits and then hopefully some more shed time this afternoon before heading to the dentist to have the crown replaced. This evening we are over at some friends for a meal.   Another couple, that we both heartily detest, have also been invited out of politeness.   If I manage to avoid anointing the pratt with wine it will have been a successful evening.   

 

Best wishes to those in need, particularly Mal and Gabe, John and Sandy and Chris plus any others fighting the lurgi.   Rick I'm glad that things seem to be moving in the right direction.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, AndyB said:

Morning all,

Good on you Dave. I'm very much for the first quote should be "best and final", possibly with a marginal percentage of wiggle room. 

And on that note swmbo was ringing round yesterday for quotes on double glazing. 

One well known firm asked to come round at 16:00. And if we signed on the spot they'd be very grateful. 

"I'd need to talk to my husband about your quote". 

"We can come round at 17:00 so he can sign on the spot." This was accompanied by a £100 voucher on their website which was time expired. 

I'm rather looking forward to the "What do we need to do to win the work" conversation. 

 

Anyway, better dash. Toodle-pip. 

 

 

Try doing what I did.   When they offered a discount of several hundred pounds I asked whether this was off the pre or post VAT price and then tied the salesman in knots as he couldn't work the percentages out.   I ended up with a rather larger discount.

 

Jamie

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Wet and windy overnight and more to come today.

Tomorrow the scaffolders and roofers are due to start work here. Glad I'm not going up there.

Joe has an early finish from school today so is coming to lunch and Gemma will be here later on.

The Boss is off out shortly for breakfast with 2 ex workmates which leaves me here to do my own thing. This will mainly comprise of boxing up locos.

More tea needed and then I will get a round tuit.

Have a good one,

Box Opener Packer of Sutton.

 

PS I have repeatedly told energy suppliers no to Smart meters including the  silly prat who informed me that I had to have one "Because it's the law!"

Put him right rather sharpish.

Edited March 12, 2019 by grandadbob

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s chuckinitdarn here, wet miserable but thankfully not windy! Breakfast has been consumed as has the muggertea and the orange juice. Once Sheila has got her self ready I will drop here off for her manicure as I head out to complete the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix. With a bit of luck I’ll be back home before Sheila is. Once the shopping has been packed away I’ll make myself muggertea No2 then make a start on tomorrow nights dessert, a salted caramel cheesecake. 

 

When I got home from Vickie and Ian’s yesterday, I just plonked my tools and bits on the bench in the cellar, so after dinner all I have planned is to pack away the tools etc in there correct place. It shouldn’t take long, but all I wanted to do yesterday was get cleaned up and jump in the shower.

 

Enjoy the day, back later

[81C]

Morning All

A Smart meter has not been made for a triple tiered meter I have, I'm on a cheap rate Economy 7 system for heating the storage heaters overnight.

I don't think I will venture out just yet it's prepissitating stair rods, I've got to trail cutting one of the old blind headrails with the electric chop saw I

don't want to ruin a new one it will save me a lot of pain not having to cut them with a hand saw, the blade in the chop saw is good for nails ,

thin metal, aluminum and the like I will have to be careful to put a bit of wood in the U shaped profile to stop it bending under the weight of the saw. 

Another job today is to top up on pain killers you can buy only 2 packets at a time I think a private prescription might be the answer.

                                                                                                                                    enjoy your day must get on Curtin Fittar 

[New Haven Neil]

Very quick look in from a wet Swansea where there is an Ikea.  Allegedly.

 

35th Welding Anniversary trip away, but by the look of the weather we may be lucky to get home on Thursday!

 

As for the lurgy - week 4 starting, just about cleared now - what a bug that was :-(

[BoD]

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

 

The Boss is off out shortly for breakfast with 2 ex workmates which leaves me here to do my own thing. This will mainly comprise of boxing up locos.

More tea needed and then I will get a round tuit.

Have a good one,

Box Opener Packer of Sutton

 

If your memory is anything like mine you will soon forget packing them and you will have the joy of opening a load of new stock and wondering where it all came from.

 

Don't forget to make a video with a running commentary of each opening.

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Well done Andy B - as discussed on Saturday at B'stike.  As far as double glazing is concerned I told the visiting salesman to no bother with all the patter and nonsense and start with the best price he was prepared to offer - he got the message and complied.  But a few days later I had a sales call saying that they were offering 10% discount to anyone who ordered their double glazing, so I called them back and asked for my 10% discount only to be told that I'd already ordered.  So I asked why they were calling to offer me a discount if they thought I couldn't have one.  Their hands duly tied I got the 10% discount - served the b*ggers right for sloppy telephone sales calls.

 

The big news today is that my car is ready to be exchanged for the courtesy car with all work duly complete.  So when there's a gap in the rain I shall be off to sign away my childrens' inheritance and probably have to take out a mortgage.  The good news is that it will be from 'our' account as opposed to my account, the even better news will be if it doesn't reach 4 figures.

 

Have a good day everybody,

Yours in trepidation,

Edited March 12, 2019 by The Stationmaster

[tigerburnie]

Morning, not much to report up here except it's a cauld wind and the fire lit, I'm feeling a bit livelier each day, so hopefully my modelling mojo will be restored soon and work on the old summer house(TOSH) ready for the new railway project. Have a safe day all.

[TheQ]

2 hours ago, 81C said:

Morning All

 

Another job today is to top up on pain killers you can buy only 2 packets at a time I think a private prescription might be the answer.

                                                                                                                                    enjoy your day must get on Curtin Fittar 

Talking direct to a pharmacist, can also give you a larger purchase, I do that occasionally and get a bottle of 100 Iburophen? might be 50 anyway a lot.. instead of those silly 16 in a packet boxes.

 

Plans of working on the chinese system have come to a halt... I can't log in to the engineering system and the man who knows has a day off...

 

Back to measuring shunts...

Edited March 12, 2019 by TheQ

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Wild and windy (weather) this morning and it looks as if its going to carry on until tomorrow afternoon at least. Will only venture out for bread and papers today. I often open boxes to find things I didn't know I had and often I can't remember why I bought it. Muggatee awaits, be back later.

[grandadbob]

Some box packing done, 12 locos so far. Interspersed with this were phone calls various including shed supplier and roofer.  Upshot of the latter is that if this windy wet weather (It's howling and tipping it down at the moment) continues tomorrow they won't be starting until it settles down a bit. Not surprised and don't blame them one bit.

[The Stationmaster]

Here we are again,

 

... happy as can be?  Well it's back, it has an MoT 'certificate', and everything appears to be working correctly,  But the bill did go into 4 digits after the £ sign before going down to the final 17p.  However at 10 years old it's not exactly a bad bargain I suppose. 

[NGT6 1315]

Cheers all.

 

Golly, I’m really hard-pressed to find time to spend on RMweb at present...

 

Annika caught a bit of the lurgy accompanied by conjunctivitis, and as Elise has resumed work as of this month, I’m staying at home till Friday as the pediatrician recommended keeping Annika here for recovery. I do marvel at how young children can remain fairly unimpressed by such things, though, as she‘s playing in front of me as I type this. I’m sure I’d curl up in bed and sleep if I were in her place!

 

Thinking of those of us ailing or missing for any reason.

 

Later (I hope!) ...

[BlackRat]

Water water everywhere......ahhh 'twas a leak in me pipes!

 

Oooooooooh 'ark at the rain sez I at 0030 Sunday morning......turned out ( a redundant) old pipe had sprung a leak.

 

So finally get to bed at 0430, then outside Screwfix at 0900.

 

Sons pal, a plumber came over ( no charge) and also helped me as I also located (another redundant) gas pipe which I cut thru thinking it was water!!!!!

 

Been here 30 years......no idea what the pipes were for, plumber thinks probably for an immersion tank or boiler which we have never had.

 

It would have been a lot easier if the plumber who bodged it all removed the old pipes, apparently it's not uncommon for them to leave stuff behind, along with all the mess and rubble under the floorboards!

[TheQ]

and 1960's newspapers and fag ends.. with the odd dead mouse..

 

Meantime I'm back from the telephone conference... at least I managed to stay awake.. The weather was more interesting. Huge waves of rain hitting the windows, and in the "U" of the building alongside spiralling around. enough wind changes to pressurize the Air conditioner intake to make the internal door to the room rattle!!

 

Last shunt warming up, to be measured before paddling home via the engravers. I really ought to get the trophies engraved when I get them, not panic in the last week when I have to hand them back..

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Lovely here - NOT - persisted down with rain most of the night, and the river Lune is well up and over in places - no doubt they will soon build houses on that land.

 

30747 back from hospital appointment and fangmeister, and we went to Kirkby Lonsdale, following the said river Lune and seeing just how much rain has fallen.

 

Anyway, generic greetings, congrats and commiserations all round.

 

Back tomorrow, hopefully.

Regards to All

Stewart

[81C]

No sign of this rain abating so I went to Horrorsons for Wednesday & Thursday night dinner while Her done the weekly shop,I found the razor blades for a pound a packet that was silly of them

check out lady got the arse cos I argued about it I told her she doesn't know retail law and would she kindly get some-one who did she really copped a big one and she was a so-called supervisor

what a joke.

If you want a good laugh you can do no better to brighten you day up by reading the JDM class 92 thread even the AY Mod getting stuck in.

                  

                                                                                                       must get on Her is approaching     I.M.Smilleng        

[PeterBB]

6 hours ago, 81C said:

Morning All

A Smart meter has not been made for a triple tiered meter I have, I'm on a cheap rate Economy 7 system for heating the storage heaters overnight.

 

                                                                                                                                    enjoy your day must get on Curtin Fittar 

We too are on Economy 7 and it is still the best for us in spite of the 'contract quotes' that they offer all of which have a fixed time limit.  Smart meters are there for their convenience only and like others I have refused them.  On another aspect they came to fit a smart meter in a relatives house but were unable to do so ... why?  he doesn't have internet access so they are not smart meters but just parasites on ones own already paid for internet service. 

Edited March 12, 2019 by PeterBB
Double wording appeared later and spelling correction

[AndyID]

Wonderful! It's snowing - again. Six inches predicted but it's warmed up a lot and it's likely going to turn to rain at lower elevations.

 

They do say it's finally going to warm up over the next week or so. Hope they are right.

[Gwiwer]

Good afternoon one and all.

 

A wet and wild day here which began very cold indeed thanks largely due to the wind-chill effect.  The sky has lately emptied upon us quite generously too and more winds are forecast tonight and tomorrow.  Wet ground, large trees and high winds do not bode well for the morning's attendance.

 

SWMBO has been in touch having suffered another panic attack at work.  She has taken professional advice on how to manage these and tells me she feels "somewhat better but very tired" after taking the advised course of actions.  

 

The fallout from those nasty letters received at, among other places, Waterloo station recently has permeated to the regions.  We are required to re-acquaint ourselves with security procedures and have a refresher training course.  Mine was today without notice.  The "without notice" bit means two things: 1 - I get a couple of extra hours pay and 2 - it serves as a reminder that Something Nasty isn't rostered or planned in the diary but just happens without any warning (usually) so far as we are concerned.  Valid point.

 

I can't go into detail here or anywhere else for that matter but suffice to say the Left Hand has ordered a job lot of new waste bins for our platforms wile the Right Hand has decreed there shall be none henceforth for the time being at least.  Typical.

 

It's muggertee time followed by a siesta until dinnertime.  Dinner is pre-cooked tonight so I predict the rest of the day might be relatively easy-going so long as SWMBO's condition does not worsen.

 

All the best.  Thoughts with those unwell and offering support.  And remember there might be no platform bins but they remain (for now at least) in every doorway of every train and there is no excuse for dropping litter!