Early Risers.

[AndyID]

This one's for Q;

 

I'm going to try to calibrate my firewood. It seems that the moisture content should be less than 20%. For the carp stuff I'm burning that equates to greater than 3.3M ohm between two pins 1.25 inches apart driven to a depth of 5/16ths of an inch in-line with the grain.

 

(I suppose I could buy a moisture meter but why should I when I've got a perfectly good DVM    )

 

EDIT: The bit I "calibrated" seems to be sufficiently seasoned. My DVM says it has infinite resistance (it only goes up to 99MΩ)

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2019 by AndyID
More exciting info!

[pH]

Our 19 month old grandson barfed in the car yesterday. Today, just for an encore, he did it again. Fortunately, both times he managed to direct it onto himself and his carseat, missing the actual car seats. However, with that, and the antiseptic wipes used in the cleanup, the new car smell (we've had it two weeks) has gone completely.

[AndyID]

16 minutes ago, pH said:

Our 19 month old grandson barfed in the car yesterday. Today, just for an encore, he did it again. Fortunately, both times he managed to direct it onto himself and his carseat, missing the actual car seats. However, with that, and the antiseptic wipes used in the cleanup, the new car smell (we've had it two weeks) has gone completely.

 

I was prone to upchucking in the car which might have something to do with why my dad liked to buy new cars. (MrsID is similarly afflicted. There's a little ranch between the highway and here that we call "Upchuck Farm".)

 

I blame my problem on dad's Bulwark Cut Plug.

[pH]

11 minutes ago, AndyID said:

 

I was prone to upchucking in the car which might have something to do with why my dad liked to buy new cars. (MrsID is similarly afflicted. There's a little ranch between the highway and here that we call "Upchuck Farm".)

 

I blame my problem on dad's Bulwark Cut Plug.

 

We wonder if he'll get better when he's turned to face forward, so he can see what's coming in the way of hills and corners. He's a bit too light for that yet. 

[AndyID]

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

Is it time we had an open ERs meeting  somewhere in the UK? ???

Baz

 

Lerwick maybe? It's not all that far from here.

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all, with special thoughts to Jamie and Beth and to all others in distress.

 

I was a bit late getting to Tolworth yesterday.  St Pancras 'Spoons seemed to be having problems with the service of breakfast - sluggish at best.  It was no help that one lady gave my table number instead of hers.  She was clearly anxious about something.  It turned out that she was due to walk in the Lord Mayor's Show procession, representing the Worshipful Company of Educators.  I told her of the excitement that came from marching in the parade at Pride In London a few months ago.  I hope she felt better but I'll never know.

 

To Tolworth, then, via the lift at Vauxhall SWR station and on arrival an almost immediate brief encounter with GDB and 81C.  Later a man recognised me from when I used to go in the Ian Allan shop at Waterloo.  It took a while for the penny to drop but it turned out to be John Scott Morgan.  A long time ago now he and I used to talk about his schooldays in Acton, where he attended a private school called St Francis that those of us who went to Derwentwater school called St Fanny's.  Much later, Bill and I gathered in the Surbiton 'Spoons for a pint.  We were joined by Paul Tasker who is Prickley Pear Products and the world was duly put to rights.  Another late night home, another taxi from the station and so to bed.

 

Today I really need to crack on with the seasonal greetings cards, initiate the laundry and cook toad in the hole, which makes a change from steak.  As for the week ahead, i have no idea why I wrote "Archie" in the diary against next Sunday but I'm sure I will find out eventually.

 

Be of good cheer

 

Chris

[Debs.]

6 hours ago, Barry O said:

Is it time we had an open ERs meeting  somewhere in the UK? ???

Baz

What a lovely suggestion, Baz.......a temporary lifting of the ban on discussion of 'certain' subjects might even be arranged. 

 

Edited November 10, 2019 by Debs.

[TheQ]

6 hours ago, Barry O said:

Is it time we had an open ERs meeting  somewhere in the UK? ???

Baz

I reckon California... 

 

https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/california-great-yarmouth

 

Mooring Awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

6 hours  solid sleep, I'll try for more,.

I'm heading for the sailing club at 09:00, for crane meetings  followed by  the Rememrance flag lowering. 

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2019 by TheQ

[Barry O]

I don't know where California is in the UK but I am sure there will be one... of course we could meet up in Canada....a part of Easington County Durham. ...or Toronto. ..in Bishop Aukland..or......

 

Baz

[jamie92208]

8 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

The rain has arrived here too. I had to suspend log splitting operations.

Fortunately I can do mine under cover. Hope you get it sorted.

 

Jamie

[polybear]

19 hours ago, Barry O said:

As her indoors was involved in the Birmingham bombings be aware that you are causing some people with real memories something you,as a person, may never have experienced. It was neither fun or clever. Having been involved in the Falklands. Gulf war 1 and Kosovo if you ain't seen the elephant.. say nowt...

Baz

 

Apologies for any offence caused - none intended; I've re-worded the original post accordingly.

All the more reason that such stuff should be taken off sale, though no doubt that would break some constitution or other.

(From someone who knows what an Elephant looks like)

 

edit:  Original post revised for a second time, since it appears that the first time didn't work for some reason....

 

Edited November 10, 2019 by polybear

[jamie92208]

 

40 minutes ago, Barry O said:

I don't know where California is in the UK but I am sure there will be one... of course we could meet up in Canada....a part of Easington County Durham. ...or Toronto. ..in Bishop Aukland..or......

 

Baz

We could always use the site of New Zealand sidings in Lancaster.

 

Good morning all from a quite bright Charente. Once again thanks for all the thoughts and concern.  The first parts of the cunning plan have worked well.  I'm off train watching in about an hour and after picking Joan up should get to Beth at about 2pm.  Fingers are crossed. 

 

I like the idea of a moisture meter, I may well invest in one.  At the moment our logs are stacked on pallets and I have to remember the provenance of each pallet load. Here they say that timber must have been felled at least 2 and a half years before it's burned. What we burn is mostly oak. We tend to use a mix  of offcuts from the barrel naking industry and logs bought from neighbours in the village. However we have ash, sycamore, fir, pine and plum from our garden. I try to not use too much of the pine and fir at the same time. It's very different from just turning on a gas boiler.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

 It is now quite sunny. We are off to Enfield for lunch at Aditi’s sister’s house.

Tony 
 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Looks like it may have been raining earlier but we now have blue sky and the hint of sunshine. A fine day is forecast.

To Tolworth went I yesterday in the company of Bob 81C and we started off with an excellent breakfast at the Ace of Spades Cafe around the corner from the show. Just as well really as the show catering was non-existent due to some sort of booking c#ck up. As mentioned by Chris we saw him briefly (no actual bumping into involved) and saw Bill several times on one of our many circuits around the show.  Some excellent layouts on display. The only downside was that I "bought" a Southern H2 briefly but it was then discovered to be damaged and then immediately refunded. Fair play to the trader (Roxley Models) who pointed it out when he was about to fit a decoder for me. Unfortunately it was the only one he had.

Got home in time to watch Gloucester v Saracens which the latter won but it was a somewhat scrappy game. Today's rugby will have to be recorded as we're going to Nicki's for the day.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited November 10, 2019 by grandadbob

[BlackRat]

Anywhere warm and sunny gets my vote.......

 

Its that time of year again...........so medals taken out of the box, green beret dusted off and it's off to Plymouth Hoe for the annual service of remembrance.

 

I was very fortunate in a way, I left with everything I joined with, two arms, eyes, legs, there's quite a few I know who didn't.

 

I suppose in the end it all comes down to luck, I'm no hero, not brave, just lucky.

 

After the main service, hundreds of ex RM meet at the RM memorial overlooking the Sound, to have our own, smaller more personal 'do'.

 

Old comrades are slapped on the back, hands are shaken, and we silently note how the backs are a little more bent, the hair greyer, and the skin a little more wrinkled.

 

Then comes the command, and as a man we snap to attention, the years fall away and we pay our utmost respect to those that fell, were maimed physically and mentally.

 

And we will remember.

 

PER MARE PER TERRAM.

Edited November 10, 2019 by BlackRat

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Of to the swap-meet later but got plenty of time yet.

5 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

I suspect that were it not for antibiotics considerably more than 50% of current ER's would no longer be with us (including me.)

 

58 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

 

We could always use the site of New Zealand sidings in Lancaster.

 

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

If you want to meet somewhere with a railway theme theres allways North Pole.

I for one would not be here if it were not for antibiotics. When I was about four years old I went in to have my tonsils removed and it turned out to be a quincy! It meant that I had to stay in hospital over Christmas. 

 

[laurenceb]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

I don't know where California is in the UK but I am sure there will be one... of course we could meet up in Canada....a part of Easington County Durham. ...or Toronto. ..in Bishop Aukland..or......

 

Baz

Suburb of Derby (as is New Zeland)

Mornin awl

[Kingzance]

15 minutes ago, BlackRat said:

Anywhere warm and sunny gets my vote.......

 

Its that time of year again...........so medals taken out of the box, green beret dusted off and it's off to Plymouth Hoe for the annual service of remembrance.

 

After the main service, hundreds of ex RM meet at the RM memorial overlooking the Sound, to have our own, smaller more personal 'do'.

 

Old comrades are slapped on the back, hands are shaken, and we silently note how the backs are a little more bent, the hair greyer, and the skin a little more wrinkled.

 

And we will remember.

 

 

There is a newly established memorial to The Merchant Navy on The Hooe which I hope to visit at some time. I would be very obliged if you could doff your beret on my behalf to the very many that memorial finally represents. Thanks in anticipation.

[Kingzance]

Morning,

 

it is at least not precipitating here! When I left to chauffeur the the one who would like to be rich and famous late yesterday afternoon, it had started on what was to be an endless persistence of falling H2O. There were leaves and twigs everywhere and puddles of varying depths and surface areas abounded. Despite wiper blades being in good order and efficient ventilation preventing condensation, it was a very tiring drive and quite straining on the eyes. At least she enjoyed the concert and meeting up with her former choir members. While waiting for the end of the concert, I went to a small restaurant with my son where the portions of quite good food were massive. We failed to finish the starter (baked Camembert) or the main (beef and pork ribs) and would need at lest one further participant to do it justice. Our waitress told us, as she took away our remnants, that a man had just ordered the same beef and pork rib dish for himself!

 

Today holds little of note for me. I will watch the service from the Cenotaph as usual and I know SWMBO will record it as her sister is marching as a representative of the RAF nurses, with whom she served for at least a dozen years and was involved in medivac flights from The Falklands after the Sir Gallaghad and Sir Tristram incident in Bluff Cove. After my most moving visit to Flanders last year, the day seems even more poignant. Whatever you are doing, enjoy it and give a nod to those who gave their all for us today.

 

And to Beth and others suffering or undergoing the long road to recovery, best wishes.

[tigerburnie]

Morning all, grey and sombre day here, my son is a serving member of the forces, I usually attend his parade, but not this year, he's on the outskirts of London and I'm close to the outskirts of Aberdeen, a trip too far this year, he ran a remembrance half marathon yesterday, a bit different.

I'm off to Perth to collect SWMBO who is celebrating her birthday this morning in Edinburgh with the daughter and then returning for tea and cake(again) at the daughters before we return home again, life is run at 100 mph these days it would seem.

[iL Dottore]

Good Morning All,

 

With so much on ER to wade through since my last visit, I can (ashamedly) only offer my generic commiserations and compliments to all as appropriate.

 

I have been absent for quite a while - not for any nefarious or unfortunate reason, but because I was up to my neck in the preparations form my Dog Club's "Dog Fun Event" (I did the artwork for advertising and the event "stations", the catering and the shopping for the catering). The event (yesterday) went well. We made about £400 profit, after all the expenses were deducted (mind you, if we had to pay for everyone's time put in, even at a risory £5/hr, we'd probably be about ten grand in the hole... But I suppose that's par for the course for any sort of volunteer staffed event - such as a model railway exhibition). Feedback was positive and it's likely we'll do it again next year. For me, the only real disappointment was that we didn't shift as much as I had hoped on the catering side. We were abundantly provided with cakes (about 15), made about 12 litres of soup (1/2 vegetable, 1/2 gumbo soup) and had 25 each of Bratwurst and Cervelat for the grill; unfortunately we shifted only about 50% of the cakes, 40% of the soup all the Bratwurst, but only 2/3 of the cervelat. Drinks (coffee, soft drinks and - believe or not - a mammoth TWO teas) sold well.

 

In perusing the various posts, I noted many comments about the self-serve tills at the supermarkets, unfortunately this appalling idea has also spread to Switzerland. As a point of principle I never use the damn things, apart from the impact on jobs (something as an underemployed entrepeneuer I am quite sensitive to), the self service tills have absolutely no impact on the prices I pay. So why, to coin a phrase, should I get a dog and then bark myself? Interestingly enough, at the "trade only cash and carry" I use (courtesy of having my own company) there are NO self service tills....

 

I wonder how much of this move towards "self-service" services is dictated as much by cultural issues as by financial ones?  Certainly, "serving other people" doesn't seem to be regarded as highly in the West as it seems to be in Asian cultures (I was amazed by the level of service offered in Japan).

 

Business has been quite quiet as of late, and as I don't expect it to pick up until the New Year, I'm wondering how to occupy my days in the interim... On my list are

1. Work on my model railway (but without a deadline for my model making..... Meh!)
2. Pick up the guitar(s) again, knuckle down and finally get a couple of songs down 100%, including mastering the necessary effects pedals to get the right "tone" (but again, without a deadline or a band to play with...)
3. Kill things on my PS4

Of course, taking care of the Wolfpack is always the priority....

 

Anyway.... Stay Frosty Guys, Talk Soon

 

iD

[Gwiwer]

Morning all. The Hill of Strawberries is a crisp cold but sunny place today and contains a still-protesting cat and a pain-managed much more active SWMBO. 

 

Speaking of ‘spoons, various, if anyone happens upon the Twickenham branch do let me know. The usual sloppy service and cheap ales exist but I’m often happy to make the trip for a sociable pint. Not next Saturday though because there’s a game on. In an establishment known as the William Webb Ellis non-followers might find the environment a little challenging!  
 

I too have had issues with the speed, or lack of it, of service at St. Pancras. It seems to be a brand thing. Usually quicker to take a seat and order via the app, I find. 
 

I shall now vanish into cyberspace for an hour or so following which, and once the roads re-open, SWMBO has indicated a wish to “do” the charity shops. 
 

Thoughts with all today for what ever it means to you and yours. 

[81C]

Morning All 

Sunny and bright 

Just spent the last hour catching up, had a good day out at Tolworth, the show was good as GDB and I pre-emptied the catering an excellent breakfast was devoured in the café just round the corner

from the show the layouts were good knocked spots off Wycrail last week and we bumped into most of the usual show goer's for this area that we know.

not doing much today the first load of laundry has gone in with 2 to follow if the day allows.

Dog sitting tomorrow I hope it's not p!ssing down as he gets moody if he doesn't get walked he won't go out in the rain and will pull you back to the house after a dump.  

I'm going to ready myself for 11am and watch the march past, nice that they have got good weather today for the occasion.

 

Enjoy your afternoon I think I will get a pub lunch T.Hinkin-Ofmebelli 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s a lovely sunny start to the day here in the northwest of England. Today will be pretty much the same as yesterday, ie making up some more MERG kits and some washing machine duties. The MERG kits in question are nothing to do with the CBUS system they make. Mine instead are mainly Train On Track Indicators etc, my control system will use a variation of Point to Point control, something I was familiar with in my old job and doesn’t involve computers for control at all and there’s no programming required either. 

 

Enjoy the day, back later b

[JohnDMJ]

14 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

I too have had issues with the speed, or lack of it, of service at St. Pancras. It seems to be a brand thing. Usually quicker to take a seat and order via the app, I find. 
 

 

I tend to use the app only for snacks and never for meals which include a drink, primarily because my usual tipples are not listed although they do qualify!

 

I'm tempted to suggest that hell might freeze over before the original perpetrator of the remark installs the app; I could be wrong!