Early Risers.

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Mugatea then new sofa are due for delivery.

Have a good day!

Baz

[Dave Hunt]

Greetings from a sunny Oakham where we have spent the last two nights as part of friend's birthday celebrations. Judging by the level of the Tullamore Dew bottle (thanks for the Dan Fogelburg link BSW01) it has been successful. Once muggocoffee has been consumed I am off to see another friend who lives not far away and has a rather splendid layout before SWMBO and I head back to North Hipposhire this evening.

 

Have a good day and Lang may yer lum reek as the French would have it.

 

Dave

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

The sun is shining and the sky is blue with a few clouds, but no rain is forecast. Once Sheila has got her stuff ready and has left for her Zumba class, I’m off downstairs to refit the cellar lights and switches. I will then re-fix the pipework to the ceiling and then attend to a slight leak on the main stopcock. I suspect that all the moving up and down, whilst unsupported has loosened the joints. Once that’s done I can then have a good look at and admire Ian’s handiwork, I can then put away the temporary lighting etc. I’m going to leave it at least a week to dry thoroughly before painting the walls. I’ll have to give some of the pipework a clean as some of it has had plaster dropped onto it during the plastering process. Once cleaned I can then refit / replace all the pipe insulation (particularly on the central heating pipework) that I’d taken off prior to the plastering. This should all be done before dinner, after dinner I’m hoping t over the pressure washer out and clean down the patio where Ian had been mixing the plaster. It has needed doing for a few months now, but thought it was a good idea to get the plastering done first, otherwise it would have meant repeating the process. 

 

So whilst waiting, I will gather together all that I need to repaint the front door, which will commence on Monday.

 

Back later. 

[roundhouse]

Morning all from another sunny day in Surrey.

 

yesterday the cladding to the shed was completed apart from an infill piece above and below the windows. Might get done today but we shall see.

 

Then it was to doctors for blood pressure teste and blood sample before they would renew the prescription that is needed whilst across the pond. BP was fine - would be nice if they reduce the prescription but we shall see.

 

Then to Mums where I trimmed a few hedges for her including cutting the long grass on the opposite road verge as it makes it difficult seeing traffic when coming out of the side road. Also took the opportunity to load the heavy piece of stone worktop that I was contemplating using inside the shed but it will now become an outside workbench.

 

Today its more working on HO scale American outline locos that need checking after last weekends show.

 

PS - Happy Independence Day (and hoping there is no alien invasion) to those across the pond.

Edited July 4, 2019 by roundhouse

[Kingzance]

Mawning awl,

 

Emergency services vehicles awailing aplenty (we aren’t too far from Ryde’s fire, rescue and ambulance depot) is a change from rumblings of KZ Towers nearby builderland. Pleasant enough journey down with only about half an hour lost on the grand gyratory car park that is also called the M25. Arrived in time for some retail therapy for her and a few essentials for me at Gunwharf Quay and then met S-I-L at Portsmouth Harbour Station where she had arrived on a train made of four very shiny green coaches clearly masquerading under false pretences as the bore the monicker (no, not the stained Lewinsky version) GWR yet were neither steam hauled nor flying banana shaped. Departure of St Clair, not the Victoria of Wight that I had hoped for, was delayed by the arrival of a Condor Ferries vessel from other islands across the channel having priority through the harbour entrance but hey-ho, worse things happen at sea. In my day, such trade arrived early morning and sailed again early evening but I guess the changes are due to tidal restrictions in St Peter Port for vessels that are now significantly larger than the one I deputised on almost 50 years ago. After a bit of tidying of garden / cleaning of barbecue etc, out to Seaview to indulge in a plate of fish, chips and mushy peas with some local brewed liquid sustenance to accompany it then home for a measure or three of stronger alcohol before bed called. A very noisy animal interrupted my sleep, I’m sure it wasn’t me!

 

Today’s plans include a trip to Tess’s Company to fill the cupboards and refrigerator, round to The Isle of Wight Cheese Company to get some varieties of their lovely cheeses, perhaps a visit to acquaintances of our tour party in the Seaview area (if they can be found or perhaps even want to be found?) and then off to meet the final members of the “Five go wild on an island” - a light-hearted take in the style of a certain Enid Blyton and one in which I appear as the furry canine member. In all likelihood, I am a rescued dog That is hoping to be re-homed after my new friends have got used to me . Who knows, I may even be taken for a walk along the beach this evening to get some sand between my toes as I am trained so they (usually) don’t need a pooper-scoop. My camera might accompany me and mayhaps something from CAMRA could be found? The weekend coincidentally sees The Isle of Wight Steam Railway holding a 40’s themed weekend. As I am not knowledgeable in matters Southern and my friends are not steam enthusiasts, I may miss that but just carry the camera to attempt to capture the Spitfire that is promised on the publicity.

 

It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it and it certainly is better than that faced by some ERs, you have my sympathy and best wishes.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

 

 

Although it's illegal to pass those closed lane smart motorway markers  , there was a case a couple of years ago where someone challenged this in court and won... But he had been through earlier and knew they had been left on incorrectly.. The signs do have to be obayed.. but  they have to be correct..

 

 

 

 

The Home Office have learned from that case.  The law has now been changed and since 10 Jun 19, passing a sign displaying a lane closed red cross is now deemed the same as passing a red traffic light.  The gantry camera and ANPR reader records the offence and you get a fixed penalty of £100. 

 

The smart motorways are generating a vast revenue in fines for speeding and other offences such as mobile phone misuse or not wearing a seat belt as drivers fail to realise that even if the gantry signs show clear, the camera units are active and recording 24/7.

 

 

[Kingzance]

2 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

 

The smart motorways are generating a vast revenue in fines for speeding and other offences such as mobile phone misuse or not wearing a seat belt as drivers fail to realise that even if the gantry signs show clear, the camera units are active and recording 24/7.

 

 

Closing a lane or lanes in the event of an incident is clearly a very sensible precaution and drivers should follow such directions however The many whinings of Bedfordshire’s Chief Constable a couple of years back seems to have brought fruit and simply confirmed my suspicions that these symbols of a totalitarian state serve the dual purposes of fleecing the U.K. motorist (foreign registered vehicles aren’t pursued with any vigour) and giving more power to a special variety of parasitic citizen who gets paid from the taxes already levied on the fewer and fewer of us earning an honest crust.

[tigerburnie]

Morning, late on parade, no reason, just lazy, the trip to Nurse Dracula went well, blood pressure " well within normal limits, see you next year ", some of the nicest words to hear I guess. Dull but dry here, no idea what I shall do, waiting for a bridge kit, so muddling held up a bit, lights not great for photographing wildlife and can't be bothered with fishing due to poor catches just now in the area, ho hum, could always inspect some eyelids lol.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

The sun is shining again over The Land of Sutt and a fine warm day with temperatures up to 25°C forecast.

Now then, where to start?

Firstly can I offer my thanks to all those people showing kindness this week.   

Reading John CB's blog about the care give by the hospital makes me proud of my daughter Nicki who works at The Royal Marsden and organises appointments and beds for patients. There's no doubt that she cares and on occasions can't help being affected some of the people she deals with. 

The great BBQ hunt meant visiting 4 different places but couldn't find the one I wanted so I've ended up ordering online and it is (hopefully) coming today. Then I'll only have to put the thing together. 

After the hunt I decided that due to the garden makeover delay I better cut the grass and do some tidying up. This was followed by a trip to the dump to get rid of a car load of rubbish. By the time that was done The Knee deemed it time for a hot shower followed by a couple of beers.

Today I will mainly be waiting for a large parcel and a couple of smaller ones. (No trains though) The waiting is causing a bit of grief for management who informs me that we should be going to Sainsbury's as "There's nothing to eat in the house!" Yeh right. I can see a squadron of porcine aviators through the window.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

Edited July 4, 2019 by grandadbob

[Barry O]

Sofas delivered.

New wardrobe/cupboard delivered and assembled.

Car charged..

Cricket to watch then umpire.

C u later!

Baz

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The sciatica has abated somewhat but still gives the odd warning to be careful. A couple of Ibuprofen with breakfast this morning should keep it in check. ChrisF, the colours of the boots are perfectly natural but in the wrong order, Richard Of York Goes Battling In Vain. Though it might be that the Leprechauns have the legal rights.

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Ah the joy of having visitors  - because apart from being nice folk they are treated to a petit dejeuner anglais and that means we get one too; they can stay as long as they like.    Which might at least help his ladship learn a couple more words of French while thre Good doctor resorts to a bit of sign language as her foreign linguistic skills centre on German.   In the meanwhile on his return from LHR last night the lad was charged an extra £10 on the taxi fare 'because it's Regatta week' - seems profiteering is not restricted to catering establishments and accomodation - but has moaned mightily at the taxi firm (which he uses regularly to/from LHR so he might get the extr tenner back ... possibly ... maybe., 

 

Meanwhile this morning came a new version of knocking on the door by those who like to travel with a statement that 'we;'re doing a job for 'beccy up the road and have got some cement left over and your ridge tiles are lifting and need doing'.  I politely told him that I wasn't interested only to be told 'it's free cement'.  To which I nearly replied and how much will you be charging to put it up there and where is your scaffolding because working at that height without scaffolding is illegal?'  But I bit my tongue and h just watched him out of the gate and away, his mate was doing the houses on the opposite side of the road.  at least it makes a rather original change from 'I've got a couple of tons of leftover tarmac burning a hole in my back pocket guv'.

 

Enjoy teh sun shine - if it's your kind of thing - and have a good day one and all.

[81C]

Morning All 

just getting some respite from Her she going for a facial to get the tach, beard, Etc. Lasered,  Its here clearing the clutter I've now removed half of the layout boards to the skip along

with piles of here garden stuff she has left in my way I don't think she can grasp what clearing means. 

I popped in to see the little big fella he was pleases to see me I've stashed a few more boxes at the daughters out of harms way from Her she is still seething from my insults yesterday.

As it pulled up this morning I was talking to one of the widowed neighbours Pam as soon as she see the ##### she said I'll come and chat late when she's gone. 

 

Stomach calls I've a Horrorsons breakfast in a box quiet nice for a quick snack. B.Ellirumbles 

Edited July 4, 2019 by 81C
typo

[grandadbob]

Well that didn't work! Big parcel ie BBQ not arriving today.  Somebody has c#cked it up and it wasn't me! Multiple apologies and a delivery charge refund coming.

It is promised for tomorrow. Won't hold my breath.

Naffed off of Sutton.

[Tony_S]

32 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Well that didn't work! Big parcel ie BBQ not arriving today.  Somebody has c#cked it up and it wasn't me! Multiple apologies and a delivery charge refund coming.

It is promised for tomorrow. Won't hold my breath.

Naffed off of Sutton.

We bought our BBQ from a local garden centre. It was keenly priced and in stock. I could have taken it away but there was the option of delivery for £20 which included assembly, testing and a load of accessories that would have been more than £20. I asked does anyone turn down the offer and he said yes. 

Perhaps we will use it this year, perhaps when the weather warms up a bit more. 

Tony

[Tony_S]

Some ERs may remember the saga of the neighbour’s giant leylandii at the bottom of our garden that caused some problems a few years ago (especially the one that blew over and hit our patio doors). This is a garden that backs onto ours rather than alongside. While we were away the remaining two trees (there were 6, plunging our garden into gloom) were pruned or hacked about when viewed from our side. So today I finally found out how to use the extendable lopper Aditi bought some years ago. This is a long pole with a string operated cutter on the end. I think Aditi bought it by mistake but it was useful today. 

Everything looks neater now. 

Tony

[81C]

Tony Don't forget proper PPE when using them Including a crash hat and goggles .      

 

Her is still here and she is staying overnight to satisfy a legal element, basically dropping herself in the carp silly cow she won't learn.

 

Must get on D. Ontgivafig.

[The Stationmaster]

Afterrnoon all,

 

In the interests of iur French visitors we braved the town - well timed as it was just about the end of the Regatta Lunch break and of course well before the afternoon tea break.  Pm ne of the local 'Indian' restaurants has erected a sort of open sided marquee thing alongside the river opposite their premises so we stopped there fora drink as no food purchase was necessary to sit down.  Got a nice table with a view down the course - except when blocked by gawpers on the path between us and the edge of the river with a table and four chairs at which we sat with the 5 plastic cups they supplied to enable us to drink from the two bottles of water we'd bought, all for a mere £8.50!  we could have had a h jug of Pimms for 30 quid and a fiver deposit on the jug - a profit margin of goodness only knows how many hundred per cent, oh and the 'Indian' food was going for about 30%-50% above their normal prices.  And I bet the average Londoner would be staggered by how much a pop-up bar just along the riverside was charging for a pint of bitter in a plastic cup.  Or you could really lash out on a two scoop ice cream for a mere five quid.

 

We duly noted noted the downright daft statue of a mermaid the town purchased a couple of years back is back in its little bit of riverside garden and not yet dumped in the river.  We live in hope that it will once again go that way before too long or maybe with a real dose of luck on our side somebody will pinch it this time round and it won't be back.  Apart from being about as completely inappropriate as you can think of for a Thames side town why the heck has it got a leg turning into a sort of mermaid tail and another leg looking like - a human leg?

 

Ah well it will all quieten down next  week with the muzak pestival and no doubt we'll be able to stand in the front garden and listen to the dulcet tones of ...  ... Boy George or Jessie J (among others) wafting up on the wind from the over amplified venue on the other side of the river.

[Compound2632]

16 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

We duly noted noted the downright daft statue of a mermaid the town purchased a couple of years back is back in its little bit of riverside garden and not yet dumped in the river.  We live in hope that it will once again go that way before too long or maybe with a real dose of luck on our side somebody will pinch it this time round and it won't be back.  Apart from being about as completely inappropriate as you can think of for a Thames side town why the heck has it got a leg turning into a sort of mermaid tail and another leg looking like - a human leg?

 

 

Rather floozy-ish. Anyway, aren't mermaids saltwater creatures? Sabrina at Bridgnorth is much more the thing - the tutelary deity. Father Thames would have been much more appropriate as well as being closer to the average age of a Henley resident...

[tigerburnie]

Well what a damp day we have had, I went to my little bird hide in the local forest, when I say mine, I didn't build it, but not many folk know it exists, usually only me going there in the week. Got a few nice pictures and the fresh air was very fresh, time for cider and tea and a snooze...………………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[JohnDMJ]

10 hours ago, Kingzance said:

Mawning awl,

 

Emergency services vehicles awailing aplenty (we aren’t too far from Ryde’s fire, rescue and ambulance depot) is a change from rumblings of KZ Towers nearby builderland. Pleasant enough journey down with only about half an hour lost on the grand gyratory car park that is also called the M25. Arrived in time for some retail therapy for her and a few essentials for me at Gunwharf Quay and then met S-I-L at Portsmouth Harbour Station where she had arrived on a train made of four very shiny green coaches clearly masquerading under false pretences as the bore the monicker (no, not the stained Lewinsky version) GWR yet were neither steam hauled nor flying banana shaped. Departure of St Clair, not the Victoria of Wight that I had hoped for, was delayed by the arrival of a Condor Ferries vessel from other islands across the channel having priority through the harbour entrance but hey-ho, worse things happen at sea. In my day, such trade arrived early morning and sailed again early evening but I guess the changes are due to tidal restrictions in St Peter Port for vessels that are now significantly larger than the one I deputised on almost 50 years ago. After a bit of tidying of garden / cleaning of barbecue etc, out to Seaview to indulge in a plate of fish, chips and mushy peas with some local brewed liquid sustenance to accompany it then home for a measure or three of stronger alcohol before bed called. A very noisy animal interrupted my sleep, I’m sure it wasn’t me!

 

Today’s plans include a trip to Tess’s Company to fill the cupboards and refrigerator, round to The Isle of Wight Cheese Company to get some varieties of their lovely cheeses, perhaps a visit to acquaintances of our tour party in the Seaview area (if they can be found or perhaps even want to be found?) and then off to meet the final members of the “Five go wild on an island” - a light-hearted take in the style of a certain Enid Blyton and one in which I appear as the furry canine member. In all likelihood, I am a rescued dog That is hoping to be re-homed after my new friends have got used to me . Who knows, I may even be taken for a walk along the beach this evening to get some sand between my toes as I am trained so they (usually) don’t need a pooper-scoop. My camera might accompany me and mayhaps something from CAMRA could be found? The weekend coincidentally sees The Isle of Wight Steam Railway holding a 40’s themed weekend. As I am not knowledgeable in matters Southern and my friends are not steam enthusiasts, I may miss that but just carry the camera to attempt to capture the Spitfire that is promised on the publicity.

 

It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it and it certainly is better than that faced by some ERs, you have my sympathy and best wishes.

 

If you get the chance, head over to the Godshill Cider Barn, and also to Fort Victoria just beyond Yarmouth; there's more than just a model railway there!.

[AndyID]

A pleasant 75C here and our 'hood is choc-a-bloc with people who decided it would be a good idea to commemorate the day when Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith thwarted an alien invasion (I used to be one myself) by coming to the lake and making as much noise as possible, Some pillock has his caravan parked in the adjacent development. He was still running his generator at 11:00 pm last night no doubt to power his gigantic TV. Fortunately our bedroom is on the other side of the house.

 

I was able to participate in the general cacophony this morning by operating my newly restored chipper/shredder. The boat might be deployed later to observe everyone whizzing away large amounts of disposable income on fireworks, not that I'll be buying any.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Sorry I wasn't able to add to the St Trinians discussion, some poor campsites sans wifi.  I have a friend who is considered to be a Buggane, he was one of our probation officers, and is a sort of Hagrid clone.  He has gone back to primary teaching in the UK and despite his intimidating size (and them some!) is a great success in his school.  He was an excellent probation officer too.

 

Our last night away now has produced rain showers in the lake district, but without rain it would be the valley district.  No wish to go home yet but we have run out of holiday, and the facebook messages from work colleagues have been getting 'hint-y' that I am needed there.  The itinerant lifestyle of the campervan is appealing at this time of year but as the schools will finish soon, that will change for grumpy middle aged men.

 

The blood tests for diabetes have revealed some interesting results, just not sure what they mean.  At times my blood sugar is much too low.....can't win.

[Northroader]

2 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Afterrnoon all,

 

Apart from being about as completely inappropriate as you can think of for a Thames side town why the heck has it got a leg turning into a sort of mermaid tail and another leg looking like - a human leg?

Mermaids have to have divided tails/ legs to deal with - er, practical details, you see, else being half fish isn’t much fun.  I could draw you a picture if you want but they wouldn’t let me put it on here.

one more thing while I’m on, some of us are still tossing around off Harwich. Any more piccys to come from your voyage, please?

[brianusa]

12 hours ago, roundhouse said:

Morning all from another sunny day in Surrey.

 

yesterday the cladding to the shed was completed apart from an infill piece above and below the windows. Might get done today but we shall see.

 

Then it was to doctors for blood pressure teste and blood sample before they would renew the prescription that is needed whilst across the pond. BP was fine - would be nice if they reduce the prescription but we shall see.

 

Then to Mums where I trimmed a few hedges for her including cutting the long grass on the opposite road verge as it makes it difficult seeing traffic when coming out of the side road. Also took the opportunity to load the heavy piece of stone worktop that I was contemplating using inside the shed but it will now become an outside workbench.

 

Today its more working on HO scale American outline locos that need checking after last weekends show.

 

PS - Happy Independence Day (and hoping there is no alien invasion) to those across the pond.

 

Being the 4th July, the locals will go mad tonight with fireworks all evening!  Hate it, our cat hates it and probably so does  anyone else, animal or human.  It wasn't always like this for someone who had boxes of Pains and Standard fireworks and delighted in letting them off to others annoyance!  This lasted through the teen years but here a lot of drunken old gits delight in setting off illegal bangers obtained from reservation fire works  stands which proliferate this time of year.  They are often much too loud and the rockets start forest fires  and even burn down houses let alone the inevitable eye or hand injury!

     On another topic, yesterday we had to get the car smogged for the last time as the requirement is being dropped next year.  It passed as it has done these last twenty years or so and on the way home decided we would get some lunch, stopping off at a waterfront restaurant where we found todays airshow practice was in view.  A front row seat indeed as old biplanes performed stunt manoeuvres over the bay.  This was followed by a performance by  Harrier who danced up and down sideways and backwards to show off its abilities.  Then a flypast by a Douglas Skyraider from a local museum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_Flight_Museum  which was joined by a Navy jet fighter in formation.  The jet finally gave some very fast and low high speed runs and other aerobatics; all worth the price of lunch!

      Bad sign; the fireworks are going off all ready and its just turned mid day!

              Brian.

Edited July 4, 2019 by brianusa